This is Berks County’s only specialty shop, with Chairman’s Selections and a wine consultant(who has great advice and understands that not everyone can afford the priciest stuff). He used to write a wine column in the local paper, and I don’t know why it went away. This store is due for a redesign, so aesthetically, it is not awash in muted lighting and warm wall colors like the newer stores. But they pack a lot in a small space, and I have been pleased with the ever rotating selection of dry roses now that it is summer, many from France, the best region for these being Provence. If you like boxed wine, the biggest selection is here, and don’t laugh, because some of it is perfectly drinkable. You will not believe how many candy-flavored vodkas are out there now; but this stuff must be selling, because there is almost a wall of it. There is large section of close-outs in the front, and I occasionally find something I like there, but that also means it is being discontinued in PA stores. This store is also where you will find the county’s best selection of sparkling wines, though they seem to be either high end or very low, not much in the middle range. I heard the even-newer store design is a big kiosk in the middle and the look of a market, which sounds lovely. They sell useful wine totes that hold 6 bottles and are only a dollar, good for groceries and other shopping too. Very nice staff too, though there is one person who routinely calls women customers«sweetie» and«doll»(even after being asked NOT to by a number of women) which management should correct. It is condescending rather than polite.
