This month I will be blowing out the candles once again. I mention this because it evokes an often-taboo topic regarding celebrating with a bottle that may have a more robust price tag than your casual tipple. The mention of $40, $50 or more for a bottle can raise eyebrows for those that may spend far less on a daily libation. But indulging with wine for celebration is a timeless tradition. A communal, celebratory bottle is not just a beverage but a symbol of collective happiness. The clank of glasses during a toast fosters a sense of connection and unity, turning an ordinary event into extraordinary memories.
Many people will happily pay $10-$15 for a glass of wine in a restaurant and rightfully so. There are a lot of costs associated that go beyond the sole price of that single bottle. After all, I could buy a New York strip at the butcher shop for much less than I would in a hip, new steakhouse, but where is the fun in that? During my restaurant sommelier days, I found myself serving wine to guests when I realized what a value it is to “splurge” on a great bottle, especially outside of a restaurant.
Advanced Sommelier Brian Henderson, JP's Wine & Spirits
For instance, a group of four spends $48 at Café Hypothetical, enjoying a glass of wine each. Let’s not forget those lovely taxes and the well-deserved gratuity for the server. What are we up to now? $65 ($16+ per person) for four decent (hopefully) glasses of wine? Keep in mind a standard bottle of wine will provide you with five or more servings of wine—the equivalent of $80 at Café Hypothetical. That eyebrow raising $50 price tag at your local retail shop does not seem so, well, brow raising when it comes to significant rejoicing. Take this opportunity to share and enjoy a $10 glass of world-class wonderment. Transform an ordinary celebration into a most memorable event.
Many say money doesn’t buy you happiness, but I am willing to guess they have never had a glass of Premier Cru Burgundy or a soul-tingling Nebbiolo from Barolo. Remember, the most valuable ingredients in making your fondest memories are the friends that surround you. If jumping into a high-end bottle seems overwhelming, we can help you party down. We want you to be happy, and JP’s offers a vast array of bottles just waiting to be uncorked for your next jubilee.
By Brian Henderson, CSW, FWS, Advanced Sommelier, JP’s Wine & Spirits
