Total Wines and More

[tommy]

or maybe it's river edge. whatever, it's next to huffman koos.

this place has a very good selection of most wines, and rock bottom prices. they also offer a 15% case discount above and beyond, but only on whole cases, and not on all wines.

some prices that i remember being notable:

ravenswood zin, vinter's blend: 7.59

ravenswood zin, lodi: 12.50 or so.

nobilo SB: 8

they are lacking in alsatian and germanic selections, but i would expect they'll start offering more soon. beer is also extremely cheap there. a case of bud bottles, if you're into that kind of thing, runs about 13 dollars.

i love to shop locally at mom and pop places, but it's hard to pass up deals like this, even if the place as a corporate feel about it.

[Rosie]

Gary's gives 20% discount on a case.

[Rail Paul]

Rosie -

Gary's has a caveat on the 20% off a case, they'll only discount down to the filed state minimum price. It's in their computer, so you can't slip it past a clerk.

Wine Library in Millburn/Springfield is also an outstanding wine supplier. Very strong and deep on Australian, New Zealand, and some Alsatian. Thanks to Helena Sarin (I believe) for mentioning it here a while back. WL is about 100 feet in on Millburn Avenue from Morris Avenue, and about 90 seconds off NJ 24. Directly opposite the Short Hills Caterer.

Paul

[Rosie]

We have been to Wine Library and were very happy with the service and recommendations. I am at the point now where I initial each bottle with where I bought it so if I want to get more I know where to go!

[jsibley]

Wine Library has good prices on some bottles, when they match Super Cellars (Paterson and Bayonne), but on most bottles, there prices are quite a bit higher than Super Cellars.

Super Cellars doesn't carry everything (no one does), but the prices on what they do carry are usually incredible. There usually isn't an additional case discount (although occasionally, there is), but it still works out cheaper per bottle than most other stores. They can be found at www.supercellars.com.

It's also pretty easy to get to, as it is right off of route 20, which you can get to from the GSP or Route 46. In fact, there is probably a good outing to be made out of Sandy's chicken combined with a stop at Super Cellars.

[Jason Perlow]

they are lacking in alsatian and germanic selections

This was my immediate observation as well. Actually their Alsatian section is somewhat better than their German. Their Port section is pretty lousy.

Their prices are good though, especially on liquors. They had Belvedere Chopin vodka (over $30 a bottle anywhere else) for $25.

[Liza]

Jason, where did you get that sparkling number you served at the pot-luck and what was its name?

[Rachel Perlow]

It was probably a Prosecco or a Riesling Sect.

[Cosmo]

Total Vines is part of a chain. There is one in Cherry Hill, and West Orange (was called Fine Wines). I have a very close friend who used to own a store within a mile of the W. Orange location.

Total Vine opens in a town, uses massive advertising of products at cost, and tries to put the 'mom and pop's' out of business. After about 6 months or so, the prices start to creep up. As to the case discount, so many items are on sale, thatthere is virtually no discount.

My friend kept their business going the old fashioned way, with customer service and plenty of smiles! :)

Cosmo

[tommy]

this place is actually called 'Total Wine and More'

perhaps an admin can change the title?? it's in riveredge.

[pete ganz]

I just went to this place for the first time yesterday. It was the only store in Northern NJ who carried Saucelito Canyon Zinfandel (which we were turned on to by Cafe Matisse). Definitely worth a half hour drive for the selection and prices.

[Rail Paul]

Thanks for the update, pete.

Anything else grab your interest there? They had a good selection of barolo and a lot of alto adige pinot grigio a few months ago.

The wholesalers seem to be cutting prices to the bone for December, so it's often a good time to stock up.

[pete ganz]

I honestly wasn't looking for anything else in particular, but I'll be sure to check into the Italian section next time.

[thereuare]

I will begin by admitting that i know nothing about wine except that i know what i like; however, i DO know a good deal (if you don't believe me, check out my signature)

This store was recommended to me by a friend that travels 30 minutes to get there, and as he put it, "If you're going to buy a few bottles... it's worth the trip." We found ourselves in the nearby area today so we made a stop. The place is the size of a small supermarket and has a wide selection. How "hard to get" the selection is, i don't know, but it appeared to be quite extensive. The staff was very helpful (we were asked if we needed help more than once), but i think many on this board are probably more knowlegable in wines than most of their employees... well, at least they can point you in the right direction.

Our favoite wine, Chte. Ste. Michelle Johannisberg Riesling sells in our local shop for $8.99. This store had it for $7.49, and if you buy a case there is an add'l 10% discount (which brings this bottle down to about $6.75... a BARGAIN!). Discounts apply to MOST wines in the store (if the price ends in a "7" it's not eligible), but apply to whole cases of 12 bottles only (no mixing bottles to get to the 12 mark).

I'd recommend this place as a 'SHOULD' check out if you're in the area.

EDIT: My post was moved here for continuity, i DID do a search for "total wine" before i posted, but i guess i was on the default '30 Days' so it didn't come up. Sorry to make you do the work of moving it.

Edited March 24, 2003 by thereuare (log)