The Tasting Panel magazine

May 2010

Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/10329

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 106 of 120

DOWN THE AISLE The Truth about Jersey SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE TURNPIKE AND PARKWAY LIES THE TRUTH ABOUT NEW JERSEY, AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO FIND IT THAN THROUGH THE STATE’S WINE AND SPIRITS RETAILERS? story and photos by Michael Roney Carlo Russo’s Wine and Spirit World Ho-Ho-Kus In the beginning, before California vintners routinely earned international awards, and before nearly everyone had a favorite Bordeaux vintage, there was pharmacist Carlo Russo, the patriarch of New Jersey wine retailers. routinely earned international awards, and before nearly everyone had a favorite Bordeaux vintage, there was pharmacist Carlo Russo, the patriarch of New Jersey wine retailers. Back in 1947, Carlo bought a neighborhood pharmacy in Ho-Ho-Kus, about 12 miles west of New York City. It happened to have a liquor license, and as the pharmacy busi- ness moved from making medicine to merely counting pills, he turned his passion toward wine, educating customers and mentoring younger colleagues. pharmacy in Ho-Ho-Kus, about 12 miles west of New York City. It happened to have a liquor license, and as the pharmacy busi- ness moved from making medicine to merely counting pills, he turned his passion toward wine, educating customers and mentoring younger colleagues. Carlo’s son, Chuck Russo, who now owns and operates this widely beloved shop, continues the long-time tradition of tastings in the rustic back room every Saturday. Russo reports that California labels are trending strong, as always, the 2004 Brunellos are extremely consistent in both taste and purchases and 2007 Rhônes are his most dramatic sellers in the past six months. Says Russo, “Tasting the wine, listening to the s needs and directing them to what you s son, Chuck Russo, who now owns and operates this widely beloved shop, continuing the long-time tradition of tastings in the rustic back room every Saturday. Russo reports that California labels are trending strong, as always, the 2004 Brunellos are extremely consistent in both taste and purchases and 2007 Rhônes are his most dramatic sellers for the past six months. Says Russo, “Tasting the wine, listening to the customer’s needs and directing them to what you think will work best—then having them come back and say, ‘That was great; give me more of s really the most fun part.” think will work best—then having them come back and say, ‘That was great; give me more of that’—that’s really the most fun part.” Chuck Russo.

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Tasting Panel magazine - May 2010