Wine Blogging #18 -- Moore Brothers Wine Company

Today is Wine Blogging Wednesday, the International wine-tasting sensation. This time around the good Doctor (Vino) has asked us to put down our glasses (at least temporarily) and highlight a wine shop that feels the love.

I've written often about how much I dislike most of my local wine shops. I'm always annoyed at their limited selection, tendency to stock only big-name, mass-produced bottles and, in one case, the environment of the store (always feels hot to me when I walk in).

There are a few semi-local shops that I enjoy, including Mora's Fine Wine and Spirits, Grape Culture and Stew Leonard's. But none of those quite made the cut for my WBW contribution.

No, for that, I have to travel down to southern New Jersey, just outside of Philadelphia to Moore Brothers Wine. Our friends Paul and Sara took us there when we last visited...and I was blown away.

From the moment you step inside, you know you're in a different type of wine shop. For one, bring a jacket...the entire store is chilled to the mid-50s...ideal for storing wine. Secondly, in our hour there, I met (and actually spent a little time with) both Moore Brothers...Greg (former sommelier at Le Bec Fin) and David. Their passion for wine oozes from their very pours.

Much like some of the best wine shops I've read about on the West Coast, the Moore Brothers spend six months out of the year visiting small producers in Germany, France and Italy. Almost all of their wines come from those three countries (they have a little CA stuff, but it's a small area) and in many cases, the Moore Brothers are the exclusive importers of these wines.

They are true sticklers for storage temperature and will only work with producers that are willing to store and ship all of their wines at 55 degrees F. And, sadly for me, they won't ship wines either.

The other thing that impressed me was they stock wines throughout the price spectrum...except the uber-expensive stuff. David asked me what kinds of wines I liked, and when I told him (can't recall what I was drinking a lot of then) he showed me four bottles that he'd recommend...ranging from $8 to $30.

The star purchase, for me anyway, was a $20 bottle of 2001 Wein & Sektgut Thielen Merlen Fettgarten Riesling Spatlese. Spectaucular...and sold out long.

Greg actually found LENNDEVOURS months after my visit and we discussed the 2003 vintage of the Thielen and their plans to open a store in Manhattan.

Right now, they have two locations the one I visited at 7200 North Park Drive, Pennsauken, NJ and one located at 1416 North DuPont Street, Wilmington, Delaware. I'd definitely recommend Moore Brothers to anyone. They also maintain a database of your purchases and you can review them online, highlight what wines you liked best and then they'll make recommendations based on the information.

tags: wine |  wine blogging wednesday |  WBW|  WBW 18 |  wine shops |  New Jersey

Comments

[jens at cincinnati wine warehouse]

Lenn,

Next time you are in Cincinnati, stop by the shop/warehouse. The temperature is currently 65 degrees (good for wine - cold for typing) and out of 400 labels I think only a few are "big names" like Cuvaison, Grgich Hills, Hanzell, Santa Margherita, Taittinger, Simi, Guenoc.

[Lenn]

Jens...believe me, you're on my radar. Of course, the next time I'm in Cincy will be the first time :)

But, maybe I can get some Steelers/Bengals tix next year...I have some friends here on LI that want to go to a Steelers game...but they are IMPOSSIBLE to get in the 'burgh!

[Dr. Vino]

What dedication! Sounds like it was well worth the drive. (do they ship to NY for future reference?)

[Chris o]

apparently the NYC (e.20's across the street from Theodore Roosevelt's childhood home) site has had some delays and won't open til springtime....alas.

[Lenn]

Tyler,

Nope...no shipping. But Greg did mention that once the NYC shop is open, they may have a pick up location somewhere on Long Island.

Chris,

Thanks for the update. I highly recommend visiting the shop once it's open. I know I plan to!

[Jack]

Lenn, I can certainly understand you having to leave Long Island to find a great wine store. The one I've bought from on LI quite a few times is from Bottle Bargains in East Northport.(I know Mitch, the owner). This store focuses on very cheap prices (they buy what's on sale in huge quantities) and does not have a great selection, but occasionally they have a treasure or three at a great price. Haven't been to LI in a few years, though.

[Fred]

I heard they are open!

[Scott]

Lenn, thanks for the mention- just got some delicious spanish reds under $10. As always we search for quality and variety here at Grape Culture.