Welcome to bottle2glass a blog about what I love..... WINE!!
The day has arrived and the day has gone!
The day I am referring to was September 28th. This was the day the 2010 Bordeaux's were released in 22 Signature BC Liquor Stores. You could not miss the advertising that was posted in all the BCL Store's (see below for a sample). I have read so much about the 2010 vintage that I could not pass by the brochure. There were some interesting Bordeaux wines that were reasonably priced.
The 2010 vintage had the weather that great wines scream to have; wet winter and spring, hot dry summer and in the fall warm days and cool evenings. Robert Parker argues that 2010, like 2009 and 2005 may be the “three greatest Bordeaux vintages I have tasted in my career.” This is great news for me since I have a few bottles from each vintage.
I remember last year when the 2009 Bordeaux's were released. I drove past a Signature BC Liquor Store where the line up was over a hundred deep. I said to myself back then I cannot see myself standing in line to pick up a bottle of wine! Fast forward to 2013.....
The day arrived; It was early, cold, and wet. I was thinking do I really want to go this early, I will be the only one there. Should I just crawl back into my toasty warm bed. The thoughts lasted all of 2 seconds.
I met many people in the line. Some are there to collect, some are there to buy great wine, and some are there to buy for their children. I over heard some people talking about buying 10 - 12. I thought this was bottles. I was wrong! This was how many CASES they were going to buy.
The BCLS did a great job making people comfortable by having the line under tents and providing warmers. This really helped on such a wet and cold morning. I must say that the line up was very organized and everyone there was very friendly and polite. I had the chance to talk to many people and share different stories. One gentleman there had a hobby wine farm that was 1.5 acres. He produces 700 litres and he keeps it for himself. This was his second year of standing in line at 5:00a.m. He had his plan and the wines he wanted to buy. He learned from last year to have more than 4 wines on the list and have a plan.
The day has arrived and the day has gone!
The day I am referring to was September 28th. This was the day the 2010 Bordeaux's were released in 22 Signature BC Liquor Stores. You could not miss the advertising that was posted in all the BCL Store's (see below for a sample). I have read so much about the 2010 vintage that I could not pass by the brochure. There were some interesting Bordeaux wines that were reasonably priced.
The 2010 vintage had the weather that great wines scream to have; wet winter and spring, hot dry summer and in the fall warm days and cool evenings. Robert Parker argues that 2010, like 2009 and 2005 may be the “three greatest Bordeaux vintages I have tasted in my career.” This is great news for me since I have a few bottles from each vintage.
I remember last year when the 2009 Bordeaux's were released. I drove past a Signature BC Liquor Store where the line up was over a hundred deep. I said to myself back then I cannot see myself standing in line to pick up a bottle of wine! Fast forward to 2013.....
The day arrived; It was early, cold, and wet. I was thinking do I really want to go this early, I will be the only one there. Should I just crawl back into my toasty warm bed. The thoughts lasted all of 2 seconds.
I arrived at 5:30 a.m. and the parking lot was full. Found a parking spot on the west side of the building. Grabbed my KOBO, Chair, umbrella and computer and hunkered down in line for a long early morning. Did I mention I was number 45. I was surprised to see so many people with tables, books, games, and blankets. I was even more surprised to find out that the first person arrived at 10 a.m. the previous day, and even more people arrive at 2:30 p.m. I have heard stories that people get there early but 10 a.m.? Really!!
I met many people in the line. Some are there to collect, some are there to buy great wine, and some are there to buy for their children. I over heard some people talking about buying 10 - 12. I thought this was bottles. I was wrong! This was how many CASES they were going to buy.
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| Line up at 6:00a.m. |
They served us food, coffee, and tea. The food consisted of Fresh pork buns, cinnamon rolls, muffins, lemon tarts, fresh fruit (banana's and orange's), assorted juice, coffee, and assorted tea. The fresh pork buns were very tasty! There was no limit on what you could drink or eat. Heck you did not even have to stand in line. I observed one car pull up, at which time I was thinking to myself nice Porsche, out jumps this lady. The lady walks over to the food while the driver tours the parking lot, she grabs 4 bananas, 3 oranges, a few pork buns, and some juice to wash it down. The Porsche pulls up, she jumps in and they drive off. This gives a whole new meaning to grab and go.
Have a peek at some of the wines that were offered this year. Click on link to view brouchure
2010 Bordeaux Brochure
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| The food Table |
As time tick's by people are now starting to grab the shopping carts. These are the small black carts that you find at the liquor store. Some people have 1 cart but most have two to four carts. Not sure how they can move them around inside. The line is getting very crowded with these carts, bumping into people. You hear alot of "Sorry". I guess they couldn't wait to get them at the door.
Only 1/2 an hour to go before the doors open. People do not want to leave the line or even go to the bathroom. (yes they even had port-a-potties). People are getting pretty excited. Me especially, not knowing what to expect. I have been checking and re-checking my list, memorizing the store map in order to find my wines quickly. The store is laid out in sections. For example 131 - 149 these numbers match the numbered wine in the brochure. Again very organized.
Time has arrived, doors are opened and off we go! They let in 40 people at a time I was part of the second wave. To my surprise they asked us for a number, of which none of us received. The only number was the ones they were giving out for limited orders. Limited orders are the wines that you can pre-order starting at 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning. After letting the security guard know I'm with him! The person in front of me who pre-ordered, I was on my way. Entering the store it was mayhem, people everywhere, people running around looking for the number that corresponds to their wine. Not a peaceful Saturday! Off I run to the back of the store to grab my wine only to find my first selection was sold out. This was 8 minutes after they opened the door. I asked the staff member where I could find item 149, she said someone took all 12 cases. They had a lot of staff on this day letting you know where the number is placed. I learned fast that you do not stand around. If it is gone move to your next pick or miss out on that one too. Luckily I found my next three selections so off to the register I go to purchase my treasures. I must say waiting to purchase my wines I saw alot of people buying multiple CASES. One person had six another eight. People had moving carts that were loaded with cases of wine. I was glad to have my eight, that is bottles not cases. When I returned to my car there were still over a hundred people in line waiting.
I must say that this was quite the experience. Would I do it again next year? ABSOLUTELY!
But first it all depends on the vintage. If the vintage is as great as 2005, 2009 or 2010 I will be in line adding the 2011 to my collection. I only have two wishes, the first, that they give out numbers to everyone that stands in line. I observed some people showing up at 9:00 a.m to meet their friend that was number three or four in line. These same people I also observed with 5 cases of wine each. My second wish - limit the number of wine that people can purchase. Make it 2 - 3 cases for each number. This would give more people a chance to purchase the inexpensive priced Bordeaux. The wines priced $25 - $40 were the very first to be sold out by 10a.m.
Here are the wines I was Lucky to pick up
Chateau Rahoul, Graves
Chateau Lilian Ladouys, St-Estephe
Sarget de Gruaud Larose, St-Julien
Only 1/2 an hour to go before the doors open. People do not want to leave the line or even go to the bathroom. (yes they even had port-a-potties). People are getting pretty excited. Me especially, not knowing what to expect. I have been checking and re-checking my list, memorizing the store map in order to find my wines quickly. The store is laid out in sections. For example 131 - 149 these numbers match the numbered wine in the brochure. Again very organized.
Time has arrived, doors are opened and off we go! They let in 40 people at a time I was part of the second wave. To my surprise they asked us for a number, of which none of us received. The only number was the ones they were giving out for limited orders. Limited orders are the wines that you can pre-order starting at 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning. After letting the security guard know I'm with him! The person in front of me who pre-ordered, I was on my way. Entering the store it was mayhem, people everywhere, people running around looking for the number that corresponds to their wine. Not a peaceful Saturday! Off I run to the back of the store to grab my wine only to find my first selection was sold out. This was 8 minutes after they opened the door. I asked the staff member where I could find item 149, she said someone took all 12 cases. They had a lot of staff on this day letting you know where the number is placed. I learned fast that you do not stand around. If it is gone move to your next pick or miss out on that one too. Luckily I found my next three selections so off to the register I go to purchase my treasures. I must say waiting to purchase my wines I saw alot of people buying multiple CASES. One person had six another eight. People had moving carts that were loaded with cases of wine. I was glad to have my eight, that is bottles not cases. When I returned to my car there were still over a hundred people in line waiting.
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| Crowds in the store |
But first it all depends on the vintage. If the vintage is as great as 2005, 2009 or 2010 I will be in line adding the 2011 to my collection. I only have two wishes, the first, that they give out numbers to everyone that stands in line. I observed some people showing up at 9:00 a.m to meet their friend that was number three or four in line. These same people I also observed with 5 cases of wine each. My second wish - limit the number of wine that people can purchase. Make it 2 - 3 cases for each number. This would give more people a chance to purchase the inexpensive priced Bordeaux. The wines priced $25 - $40 were the very first to be sold out by 10a.m.
Here are the wines I was Lucky to pick up
Chateau Rahoul, Graves
Chateau Lilian Ladouys, St-Estephe
Sarget de Gruaud Larose, St-Julien
Have a peek at some of the wines that were offered this year. Click on link to view brouchure
2010 Bordeaux Brochure
Feel free to leave a comment.
Ciao for now!
