Monday Blues

I shutter to have to come in on Mondays.  The thought of 20 sales people lined with with samples of the next great wine, the new Siracha flavored vodka, a new macro micro craft artisanal local beer.  It's endless.  Sounds like a tough job right? Who wouldn't want to sip booze all day?  Well if the samplings in question have a repeat track record of sucking donkey balls then you'd understand my disdain.  Today, my sales woman walks in with her new manager.  Manager, that word has literally no meaning anymore.  When I was in big box retail, I was a manager.  The ranking made me feel like a general.  Now it's just a label on a VistaPrint business card that gives you another number to call to get the same bull shit response, "I don't know, but I'll call the office to find out."  Anyway, my sales woman brought in a foursome of vino from the Iberian peninsula.  Well done Miss!  She's been sizing us up and feeling us out as to what we like and sell a lot of.  Even though my store is heavy with selections from Spain, what's one or two more right?

First up (working left to right) is a red blend from Jumilla, Spain.  The blend is Monastrell, Tempranillo and Cabernet.  Smooth, velvety medium bodied with that  raspberry jammy finish.  My cost is $112 for a case of 12 bottles, you do the math.  EXCELLENT value to quality ratio, mass appeal with the fruit, easy sale.

Next up was the Haza from Ribera del Duero, a Tempranillo.  I haven't had this wine in years and forgotten how good it was.  Again smooth medium bodied with a touch of oak that was neither too aggressive or dominant.  You know he's there, but he's got he's using his manners today.  A little over $20 retail, so I'll pass on this one until the phobia of winter/holiday bills and tax season are over.  This should be a good one when grill season fires up.

Last in the line up, Graham's Six Grapes Port.  Do I need to tell you how much this rocked? Alright, it did kick ass for a Monday morning otherwise filled with rejects.

My gal Monday, it was a pleasure doing business with you.  Hopefully you're on to something good and continue with your intuition.  Let's see what crap the rest of the week brings.

This time of year is tough in retail being wedged in between holiday bills coming in and people nervous about paying taxes.  Super Bowl doesn't really generate tremendous wine sales as you can imagine.  In this business, I try to pay closer attention to price as I'm buying for shelf stock.  The marketing geniuses from these distributors don't look at the overall picture that the everyday consumer is tightening the belt.  Why in the fuckity fuck fuck world would you send in new item after new item after new item every week when you damn well know that no one has money including the retailer?  It's never ending and sometimes you have to pass and/or be blunt about not coming into the store with a box of new booze to try.  Again, it's a tough job, but someone has to do it.  I'm not complaining today.