Wine lovers often fantasize about being able to try the great wines of the world: Mouton Rothschild, Petrus, Harlan, Ch. d’Yquem, etc. And it’s not easy to find even one of these wines, much less a roomful, in Lower Slower Delaware. However, these wines and more are beautifully displayed and available for purchase in the jaw dropping, temperature-controlled wine room at Beach Liquors in Bethany Beach.
What is such an impressive wine room doing in this little corner of Delaware? I wondered that myself, so I asked the amiable and very wine knowledgeable manager, Chris, how this piece of wine heaven ended up at Beach Liquors. Chris explains that the owners, the Kappes family, saw in the 1990s that the Bethany Beach area was transforming from an area of modest beach cottages to something more upscale and sensed there could be a market for more upscale wines, so they started stocking some. Well, the Kappes’ hunch proved so true that they then built and stocked a full room of upscale and dream wine selections. The current incarnation is a truly world class wine room, housing wines that are so sought after, they can fetch thousands of dollars a bottle (e.g., Ch. Petrus). But, for the rest of us there are many other selections of fabulous wines from around the world at more down to earth prices. Indeed, Beach Liquors’ wine selections outside of the wine room are something to behold in their own right, with a fabulous selection of wines from well-known, and a number of not so well-known, but wonderful producers and regions.
Some people love to go to museums or galleries to see incredible works of art produced by great masters. And some kooky wine lovers like me get almost the same satisfaction in just seeing works of art in a bottle, crafted by master wine makers. Of course, owning a great piece of art of any kind doesn’t come cheap. But if you have dreamed of owning one of these wine masterpieces and have the resources to do so, I encourage you to spend some time enjoying the experience of browsing the selections in Beach Liquors’ wine room and then select one or two that make that wine dream come true. If, like many of us, these wine masterpieces are nice to see and dream about but don’t quite fit the budget, take a browse around the wine room anyway. And just as you might do in a museum or gallery, pick up something from the “museum shop” (the other wonderful selections available in the store), to remind you of the visit.
Ray Kurz, also known as “Cuvée Ray,” holds certifications including Sommelier, Certified Specialist of Wine, and is completing his WSET Diploma. He’s the creator of Vintunes® and previously owned Cuvée Ray Wine Bar and Restaurant. Ray’s passion lies in connecting wine with wine lovers. Find him at cuveeray.com.
