CoolVines

WestfieldFoodie.com: Ravioli & Wine Tasting 5 Course Dinner at Stage House - Good Vibes, CoolVines

2010-08-26T07:49:00.001-07:00

From WestfieldFoodie.com:

On both September 14th and on the 28th CoolVines is pairing with Stage House Restaurant and acclaimed Chef Eric Hambrecht to bring to you a 5 course wine dinner that features the Italian wines of A.I. Selections and cuisine from that Stage House’s new ravioli kitchen. Click here to see the fantastic new ravioli menus and superior wines that will be presented and paired with each course.

Stage House Restaurant keeps reinventing itself. It gets bigger and better and bolder. The expansive outside bar area has a totally different vibe than the 40th birthday dinner for ten in an upstairs private room. Both experiences are enhanced with a sophisticated yet traditional menu. One night we sat in the Tavern's front dining room and we regularly felt a rumbling from below. Was it the nearby Fanwood train? was it a refrigeration system below our table? or just more good vibes from what is becoming my favorite go-to tavern?

Last weekend I had the pleasure to meet Tom, the owner. He gave my friends a big hello - I didn't realize they were such regulars. Stage House has a lot of regulars. I asked him why they removed the lavender vinaigrette from the menu. The plants were destroyed when the patio was paved. I felt like I was trapped in the middle of a Joni Mitchell song, until I realized I really love the patio. So chalk it up to progress and business: my fresh herb inspired dressing was replaced with a ballsy new concept: all you can eat free bbq.

Get this: you get heaps of free bbq, pay what you feel like paying, and in return they make money on the bar tab and you walk home with a certificate in that amount for the elegant dining room that you may or may not use. Click here for their free bbq ten commandments. Somehow it is win-win and Stage House emerges once again as the place to have fun and eat well. And it's a night to dine alfresco in a cool setting, sometimes with live music without sitting right next to the dirty filthy street, which is always a plus.

Let's add drink expertly and a new ravioli menu as 2 more reasons join one of the special 5 course pairing menus with CoolVines, the most pleasurable wine store in Westfield. CoolVines has regulars too, and their wine purchase information is stored on a database. From this data they can make guided recommendations to the purchaser and remember what wines you loved, even when you can't remember the type or name of the wine yourself. What I thought was a pinot noir with a name that had something to do with happiness proved to be a biodynamic shiraz called Hedonist, that I highly recommend.

At the pairing dinner, learn firsthand from wine guru Damon O'Gara about the selected Italian wines and how they were chosen to complement each course's tastes and textures. I'm more than curious to taste how the oaky Moroder Rosso Conero 2006 will play off the creaminess of the smoked chicken ricotta ravioli. Or how the "ruby red color, intense bouquet and well-structured flavor" of the Vaona Valpolicella Ripasso 2007 might possibly enhance the richness of a butternut squash ravioli in a frangelico pecan brown butter sauce.

If the combination of wine and flavor can bring out the best in each other, I am there. And if it's that good I'll do it twice. I love ravioli and I love wine but the combination of the two promises to deliver. While Stage House is not an Italian restaurant, nor is the chef, and Damon is as Irish as they come, I am betting on this to be a night to venture out into new territory and try something different. The Italians may have invented ravioli and planted the original vines, but I feel this meal will be the reinvention of the traditional and expected, and it's happening right here in our town.

Click here for information and to register.

WF

CoolVines CEO Mark Censits recommends the Palmina Nebbiolo 2005 for TheWeeklyWinePick.com

2010-04-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

This week's pick comes from Mark Censits, founder and CEO of the New Jersey-based retailer CoolVines. Mark has long been a fan of wine maker Steve Clifton, who has a knack for teaming up with the brightest talents in California and producing a number of unique and wonderful wines, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir bottled under the Brewer-Clifton label. He and his wife began the Palmina project to produce a range of wines made from Italian varietals grown in Santa Barbara County.

"All of the Palminas are terrific food wines, and unbelievable values. The Nebbiolo in particular has fine tannins and balanced acidity making it a great pair for Italian style dishes," Mark noted. "2005 was the inaugural vintage of the Nebbiolo, which grows best in Piedmont but has now proven its potential in the similar terroir of the Sisuoc and Stolpman Vineyards." This big red retails for under $30.

Years ago Mark combined his passion for wine with his proven track record in business with the launch of CoolVines. He has stores in Westfield and Princeton, NJ, and their website offers an inviting and novel approach to exploring wines online. On the site I was immediately presented with a concise summary of the wine's style, and saw right away where I could drill down for more detailed info. Also, customers can find a wine they like, and by hitting the "Explore!" button receive intelligent alternative suggestions. When I explored alternatives to the Palmina, the site suggested 3 other medium bodied reds of different varietals, new world and old. You can also sign up for their custom wine club to ensure your cellar is always stocked with wines you love. These services go far beyond those of most retailers, and show that Mark and his team have put a lot of thought into meeting the needs of their customers.

Click here to sign up for a free weekly wine pick from the top professionals in the industry.

Green Your Glass: Warren Bobrow writes about where to find organic/biodynamic wine for NJ Life Magazine

2010-02-19T07:35:00.000-08:00

I demand wines that are small producer (garage wines) and if they are organic/biodynamic or sustainably produced, that’s a definite plus! Fortunately, there are quite a few wine stores in New Jersey that stock or even specialize in wines that are organic, biodynamic, sustainably produced, and/or handmade.

Westfield and Princeton both house plenty of wine shops, but one boutique, with locations in both towns, particularly resonates with me. CoolVines is this shop. Specializing in finding well-priced, small-producer wines, this store takes a different approach to wine shopping than most of its competitors. Owner Mark Censits firmly believes that wine should be an adjunct to complement food. Given the explosion of BYOB restaurants, both in Princeton and in Westfield, people are much more inquisitive about which wines taste best with what foods. Mark encourages his wine consultants to engage the customer in the story behind the wines, not their scores or how the popular marketing machines spin wine appreciation. CoolVines carries wines that taste great with food, and the engaging staff is well versed in parings. Organic and biodynamic wines are of particular note. Many great sustainably produced wines actually cost less than similar wines produced in greater quantities.

Click here for the full article.

Bubbles for Autumn: Wine Flair talks different types of Champagne for everyday occasions

2009-11-02T14:20:00.001-08:00

Champagne isn't only for New Year's Eve, weddings of people you love and funerals of, er, people you didn't. Here's a quote from Lily Bollinger of the famous producer family of the same name, which perfectly captures all the reasons you should drink it:

"I drink champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty."

You probably already know or at least have heard of the big "marques" - Champagnes made in the millions of bottles annually, such as Veuve Cliquot, Moet & Chandon (and it's pronounced "mwet," not "mo-way"), Taittinger, Perrier-Jouet, Krug and Pol Roger. Most of these are non-vintage; that is, they are a blend of wines, typically from many different vineyards across Champagne, and from two or more years. Why? Well, they're designed to taste the same year over year, so that the buyer always knows what they're getting. That's not always true, but that's the idea. And this consistency, supported by sometimes pretty expensive marketing, is supposed to make you become exclusively a "Krug (or whatever) drinker." But that's up to you.

My view? Champagne can be great stuff for a Tuesday night when you're feeling a little down, or just because, well, it's Tuesday night!

Click here for the entire article.

CoolVines in the News: CEO Mark Censits discusses the new wine & spirits tax

2009-09-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

Mark Censits, the president and CEO of Coolvines on Elm Street, said the 25 percent tax hike on wines and spirits that is part of the new state budget, will likely impact the cheaper wines. The tax is $5.50 per gallon for liquor and 87.5 cents per gallon of wine, paid by the distributor. He said the cost will not be immediately felt by consumers on any priced bottle of wine, since he and distributors are likely to raise the price on a gradual basis to reflect the new taxes.

Censits said that, given the way the tax is gauged, while all wines and spirits will see an increase, the lower-priced brands will have a larger percentage impact. With wines in his store being priced mainly between $8 and $40, he does not see much of an impact on his merchandise, except for the cheaper bottles he carries.

Distributors are already feeling the impact of the new wine tax, but are gradually raising the prices they use to stores like Coolvines. He said that it will likely be six months before he is paying distributors the new higher prices reflecting the tax. Censits said it will likely be six months before customers will also see an impact on the cost of wine they buy from him.

Read the full article here.

In the News: CoolVines Westfield

2009-08-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

from the Shopping in Westfield NJ Blog:

CoolVines - Personalized Selection of Good Wines

Elm Street, between North Avenue and E. Broad Street, in downtown Westfield, is a restaurant row favored by locals and visitors alike. One after another, the interesting and delicious food options tempt, as cafe tables set up outside each boite display menu delights from all over the world.

When you're in the mood to bring your own hand-selected bottle of vino to accompany your meal, stop in first at CoolVines, the well-stocked and well-organized wine shop right there on restaurant row.

The layout of the store clearly marks the products by their qualities, the location of the originating vineyards, and their ingredients. The staff is knowledgeable and also knows when to let the customer simply enjoy the experience of browsing.

CoolVines applies three basic criteria to their offerings;

"Only the Best" - They hand-select their wines and present only those that represent true value
"Arranged by Taste" - They guide their customers in the choice of wine to suit one's preference and fit the occasion
"A Website Driven by Your Preferences" - They provide tools to customers for learning about one's personal palate "signature"

You can find out about local tastings on the CoolVines Website. Or just stop into the store on the way home from the train. And ya gotta love the clever pickup service offered by this trendy shop: You can pay for your wine and continue with your shopping in town. Take one of their wireless valet bells when you leave the store. Pull up to the curb, ring the bell and they'll run your order out to your car!

Is This Why They Call Them SUPER Tuscans?

2009-08-07T08:55:00.000-07:00

Re-posted from The Wine Spectator:

Red Wine Improves Sex Lives of Tuscan Women: A study finds those who drink a glass or two a day score higher on a sexual function questionnaire

Light to moderate consumption of red wine may lead to improved sexual function in women, according to a study in the October issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Women who drank one or two glasses of red wine a day scored higher on a questionnaire focused on sexual health and enjoyment. According to the study's authors, members of the departments of Urology and Public Health at the University of Florence, the results help give a clearer picture on the female sexual response cycle.

In the medical industry, most studies on sexual health tend to focus on factors that cause dysfunction. For example, a recent study on erectile dysfunction found that moderate levels of alcohol consumption lead to a 30 percent lower chance of impotence.

"Historically, the aspects of wine and sexuality have been well known since the time of Ancient Greece," said the study's lead author, Dr. Nicola Mondaini, who is publishing a book on the subject next month, titled Vino e Eros. "But the field of female sexual dysfunction is still highly unexplored."

Mondaini and his team write that the sexual response of women is generally considered more complex than that of men. But previous studies, they add, find that adherence to the Mediterranean diet improves cardiovascular health, and this is likely due to the inclusion of a glass or two of red wine per day. Cardiovascular health has long been linked to sexual health.

To see if red wine consumption, as described by the Mediterranean diet, has an impact on women's sexual function, the scientists selected nearly 800 women for the study, ages 18 to 50, who visited the Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, part of the University of Florence. Women who drank more than two glasses per day, smokers and those with sexual disorders were excluded.

Click Here For the Full Article

The CoolVines Experience - Domaine Agape Wine Dinner

2009-07-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

"Wine Mania (and some Beer too)" by Faith Bahadurian, Princeton Packet

I am getting more and more emails each week about wine dinners and tasting events in the Princeton area. These events are all the rage, and many of them seem to sell out quickly, even in this economy. I think it’s the “value added” aspect of them. Not only are you enjoying several courses of well-prepared food, but also specially paired wines to go with each course. Often the winemaker is there, too, which adds a lovely personalized aspect to the experience.

Such was the case at a recent wine dinner at Blue Point Grill I was invited to by Mark Censits who owns CoolVines (in Princeton and Westfield). Working with Michael Messenie of Savio Soares Selections (the distributor), they had brought in Isabelle Boxler-Sipp, of Domaine Agape in Alsace, France, where her husband Vincent is “vigneron” (grower).

From the sparkling Cremant d’Alsace through the Grand Cru Riesling, all five wines I sipped that evening were delicious, as was the wonderful dinner Blue Point Grill Chef Steve Murray put out (I especially liked the Icelandic Artic Char and the Chilean Sea Bass).

If you go to Alsace, Isabelle also owns a cooking school in Colmar named Cardamome (her favorite spice), where, she reports, the locals increasingly want to learn to make ethnic dishes, but the tourists, of course, want to learn traditional Alsatian dishes.

Click here to see the entire article.

Wine Heaven?

2009-07-12T19:10:00.000-07:00

"Wine Heaven?" by Faith Bahadurian, Princeton Packet

A recent wine club promotion in a national newspaper (yes, I still read paper!) had me tempted to sign right up, to get a case of "deep, rich reds" at bargain prices. But then I thought of how I already have too many bottles at home, languishing, while I give into my thing for gin and tonics, with the occasional margarita thrown in (not, God help me, in the same evening).

Besides, we have some great wine shops in our area, with two right in downtown Princeton, the Corkscrew and CoolVines. And it is nearly summer, a good time to stock up on rosés, which I've grown to appreciate as more good dry ones come on the market. (And hopefully the power drunk EU won't ruin rosé wine for us! The proposal discussed at the link here was fortunately set aside shortly after the article came out; obviously saner heads prevailed...this time.)

So I paid a quick visit to the CoolVines website, clicked on "rosés," and spied a pretty Cielo Prosecco Rosé, described as "A light, effervescent gem from Northeast Italy." Now that sounded festive, however it was out of stock (I'm waitlisted), But you can click on a little button under that that says "similar wines." That brings up another sparkling rosé, a Spanish Cava from Familia Oliveda (pictured here). I dropped by and picked that up and also came home with a still rosé, the French Touraine Pineau d'Aunis.

This is a GREAT website, by the way. You can click on red, white, or rosé, click on the type of body you want (i.e. light, medium, full, sweet, fortified), and then the style, modern or traditional (you know, the new world-old world thing), and the price range. The system delivers all sorts of intriguing results, and I see more wine consumption in my future...and some local shopping.

Boro mayor, merchants discuss economic stress

2009-02-21T10:42:00.000-08:00

PRINCETON: Boro mayor, merchants discuss economic stress

By Lauren Otis, Staff Writer

Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 5:11 PM EST

To survive in the ongoing poor economy, Princeton borough merchants and the borough administration need to work together, Borough Mayor Mildred Trotman told a gathering of the Borough Merchants for Princeton on Tuesday.

At the meeting, several merchants described a holiday season that was anything but rosy, although some said the impact on their operations was tempered by the continuing popularity of Princeton as a tourism and shopping destination.

”These are tough economic times for everyone,” Mayor Trotman said. “I do think that we are in this together. We are going to have to work together, the borough is ready to work with you to make it work for you,” she said.

”Most of what has happened over the past year we did not have any control over,” she told a gathering of the Borough Merchants at the Nassau Inn on Tuesday morning.

Faced with revenue shortfalls it has no control over, the borough is currently grappling with cuts and layoffs as it tackles its 2009 fiscal year budget, Mayor Trotman said. “We are going to have to make some very very difficult decisions, some difficult choices,” she said.

Mayor Trotman said Princeton Borough was attempting to aggressively position itself to benefit from the $787 billion federal stimulus plan that President Barack Obama signed later Tuesday.

”You should know that Princeton Borough has been aggressively following this, we are in touch with our county, state and federal representatives because we do have ‘shovel ready’ projects and we hope to get in on the receiving end of those funds,” she said.

Following Mayor Trotman’s address, Borough Administrator Robert Bruschi asked those in attendance “how you as merchants made out during the holiday season?”

Mark Censits, owner of the CoolVines retail wine store located on Nassau Street, said consumers were “trading down” during the holidays, purchasing less expensive wines at his store, but “the activity was high.”

”I actually feel like the town was very much alive and spunky during the holiday season,” Mr. Censits said.

”I would say my business was down 20 percent,” said Doris Figueroa, owner of The Place To Bead on Witherspoon Street. “I’m a luxury so it was difficult, I’m muddling through.”

Ms. Figueroa said her neighboring merchants were in a similar circumstances over the holidays too. “We all felt it,” she said, adding “even the restaurants in the area, and we do talk amongst ourselves, everybody felt the pinch this year.”

Ms. Figueroa said being in Princeton did mitigate her circumstances. “If the truth be told, if my store was anyplace else I think I’d be closing the doors,” she said.

”It was a challenge and it continues to be a challenge,” said David Newton, vice president of Palmer Square Management. He said business among Palmer Square tenants was down 7 percent in 2008. For the period between October and December last year, “it was more significant than 7 percent,” Mr. Newton said.

Princeton has historically been resilient in economic downturns, Mr. Newton said, but several factors, including the fact that Merrill Lynch, once one of the area’s leading employers, “ceases to exist for the most part” resulted in the local economy being less insulated than in the past. Princeton “was just totally caught unawares,” by the meltdown in the financial sector, he said.

There were bright spots among Palmer Square tenants, Mr. Newton said. He cited yoga apparel retailer lululemon athletica, which opened a store on Nassau Street late last year, as doing well since coming to Princeton.

Mimi Omiecinski, who founded Princeton Bike Tours last summer, said she was seeing a continuing strong demand for her tours, particularly among corporate consumers.

Several attendees to the Borough Merchants meeting voiced the view that the economic situation in Princeton would get worse before it got better.

”I think the vacancy (rate) at the moment is in its early days, and I thing the vacancy (rate) will get worse before it gets better,” said Mr. Newton.

”If things keep going down another 20 percent this town needs to pull together,” said Sheldon Sturges, managing director of non-profit organization Princeton Future. Mr. Sturges said economists including Nobel laureate and Princeton University professor Paul Krugman are predicting “it’s really going to get a whole lot worse.”

Kristin Appelget, director of community and regional affairs at Princeton University, and Peter Crowley, president of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, both said they were willing to entertain creative ways to benefit downtown merchants.

Ms. Appleget said she was open to brainstorming with merchants on creative ways to encourage the university’s 5,400 employees to “cross the street” and patronize local businesses more. “Anyone who would like to get a cup of coffee let’s sit down and talk,” she said.

”I’m an optimist and feel if one door closes another one opens,” said Mr. Crowley. He said the PRCC was working to bring talent and resources to bear on the current economic straits of many of its members, that it was seeking to “do some things that help people think outside the box, do some partnerships.”

Wine and Spirit sales resisting recession

2009-01-04T03:55:00.000-08:00

PRINCETON: Liquor sales resisting recession

Wednesday, December 31, 2008 4:03 PM EST

By Lauren Otis, Staff Writer

As Princeton-area residents prepared to toast the New Year with hopes for a better 2009, one group of retailers had reason to raise a thankful toast to 2008 — wine and spirits merchants.

Although many customers seemed to scale back by seeking out less expensive bottles, this holiday season and the year in general has been a good one, said area wine, beer and liquor retailers.

”We are down less than 5 percent” in 2008 sales compared to 2007, said Mark Bovenizer, proprietor of Community Liquors on Witherspoon Street. “I’m pretty happy with that. People are celebrating, just not in luxurious style, not with Dom Perignon, but with an American sparkler instead, at a quarter of the price.”

At Community Liquors, “we were doing fine up until September,” he said. After the crash of the financial markets at that point, “a lot of the larger parties, larger purchasers, became smaller purchasers,” he said.

One interesting anomaly was in sales of single malt Scotch whiskeys, Mr. Bovenizer said.

”We sold quite a lot of high-end Scotch,” he said. “I had to reorder before Christmas. It was surprising how much we sold,” particularly bottles retailing for $100 or more.

Apparently the Princeton thirst for single malt whiskey was a large one.

”We’ve never sold so many single malts for Christmas,” said Laurent Chapuis, owner of the Princeton Corkscrew Wine Shop on Hulfish Street. “It is an expensive gift that people can drink over time.

”It is not a one shot deal like a bottle of wine,” Mr. Chapuis said in speculating on one possible reason for the jump in single malt sales.

”It was a very, very good year overall,” Mr. Chapuis said.

Business from regular customers was excellent, and corporate customer business was “in the middle,” neither great nor poor, Mr. Chapuis said.

He noted seasonal champagne sales were “exceptional” with customers who might balk at purchasing a bottle of wine for $40 not having any problem shelling out the same amount for a celebratory bottle of champagne.

”The only drop we’ve seen is in the high-end wines,” Mr. Chapuis said. “We specialize in bottles from $7 to $20. We sold more than ever in that category.”

”I was very pleased with the way the year turned out,” for sales in Princeton, said Mark Censits, president and CEO of CoolVines.

Mr. Censits opened his Princeton CoolVines store, located on the corner of Nassau and Harrison Streets, in August. He already operates a CoolVines store in Westfield.

CoolVines offers a $13 blanc de blancs sparkling wine from France, which is not from the Champagne region, but is a very nice wine for the price, Mr. Censits said.

”We have sold a ton,” he said. “I think people have been really elated to say, ‘wow, you can find a great product for this price.’”

Customers searching for value in their wine and spirits purchases benefit from CoolVines’ emphasis on wine characteristics and not labels, Mr. Censits said.

”That works well for us,” he said. “That is our whole point of difference. We can find great stuff searching beyond the brand names.”

Unlike other merchants, as a wine seller, he did not have to mark down his products to sell them although he spent a lot of time and effort on other types of promotions, Mr. Censits said.

At the Westfield store, “we had just as much bottle sales, but we had an 8 percent decline in revenues,” Mr. Censits said.

At both his locations, “people were trading down from a $50 wine to a $30 wine and $20 wine to $8,” he said. “What just gets clipped off is the very high end of it” for bottles costing several hundred dollars.

”People have been buying the same amount, maybe spending a little less. Overall, it’s been a pretty strong year for us,” said Chris Sletvold, store manager at the Joe Canal’s Discount Liquor Outlet on Route 1 in Lawrence. “Instead of buying one $50 bottle, they are buying two $25 bottles.”

The poor economy “hasn’t affected beer sales; high-end liquor, yes; high-end wine, yes,” Mr. Bovenizer said.

He said sales in December are likely to be down about 5 percent with sales volume affected by not just the economy, but the lack of convenient parking close to his store now that the Tulane Street surface parking lot has been closed.

Mr. Chapuis noted for the holiday season, “we got hurt by the late Thanksgiving and one less Saturday” in December this year.

One Saturday’s sales at this time of year can account for 5 to 6 percent of monthly sales, he said.

Mr. Chapuis said wine merchants shouldn’t lose sleep over outside economic forces beyond their control.

”There is nothing we can do anyhow,” he said. “We can only improve the quality and the selection. I can do only what I can control.”

Mr. Bovenizer said he already is anticipating continuing economic doldrums in 2009, having let go of one full-time employee and cut back on part-time staffing for the new year.

”If there is anything, I am holding my breath a bit as far as January is concerned,” said Mr. Censits.

Enjoying the search for the ‘right’ vintage

2009-01-01T09:30:00.000-08:00

http://centraljersey.com/articles/2008/12/26/the_princeton_packet/lifestyle/doc494ac6d538110776343833.txt

AROUND TOWN: Enjoying the search for the ‘right’ vintage

Thursday, December 18, 2008 5:05 PM EST

By Adam Grybowski Staff Writer

When novice wine drinkers buy wine, they’re often playing a game of chance. Hundreds of choices line the shelves, sorted by region, mottled by description, marked by scores. While an oenophile seeks a select winemaker, the novice fumbles until unable to resist an attractive label.

To parse wine terminology and buck the 100-point rating system of influential wine critic Robert Parker, Mark Censits, the owner of CoolVines, a wine shop with locations in Westfield and Princeton, devised his own custom system. The goal is to provide a way for any customer to shop for wine without feeling overwhelmed or intimidated.

Mr. Censits, a Princeton resident, opened the Princeton store in August. In November, CoolVines launched a new Web site where customers can track and analyze their purchases and keep a journal. The Web site and the store are constructed to teach customers the patterns of their purchases and the qualities of their preferences, guiding them to develop their taste through experience rather than study.

“No consumer has to be a student (of wine),” he says. “(Buying wine) should be rather casual.”

A custom tag accompanies each bottle of wine offered by CoolVines. The tag is meant to help decode the information on a wine bottle’s label and simplify concepts that may elude a casual wine drinker, from its style to the fullness of its body. Dollar signs represent the wine’s price range.

“Most people have a collection, whether it’s 10 bottles or 1,000,” Mr. Censits says, adding that the price range symbol can help a person quickly recognize an expensive bottle of wine, so they don’t “waste” it on a mundane occasion.

Following the intuitive nature of the tags, the store is arranged by attribute rather than region, helping customers match wine they have liked in the past to something of similar taste.

Mr. Censits envisions CoolVines as an advocate for the consumer, and his system as a way to nurture them to sophistication. It’s a journey he’s on himself. When he opened the first CoolVines store in Westfield, he describes his stage of wine appreciation as “advanced beginner.”

“I knew a lot about what I didn’t know,” he says, sending up the breadth of knowledge a wine expert must possess. He’s closed that gap through reading, travel and contact with staff and distributors.

Such education has led him to focus on wine produced on a modest scale, as well as those made in an authentic style that truly represent the wine’s region or vintage. Bigger brand-name labels tend not to show up on CoolVines’ shelves. Such diversity requires rigorous selection.

“Very rarely have we put something on the shelf we haven’t tasted,” Mr. Censits says. “There’s more good wine in the world than we can show, so we’re constantly making hard decisions.”

A certain class of wine drinkers who seek excitement and adventure probably visit many wine shops looking for offbeat or hard-to-find bottles of wine, Mr. Censits says. “Other people latch on to us and we become their personal sommelier.”

Indeed, coolvines.com offers theme packs in which wine is chosen for you. Wine purchased online is added to a personal journal that can be rated and annotated. Purchases made in the store can be tracked as well.

Such a model helps customers trust their own judgement while building trust for CoolVines — the most important part of the transaction, Mr. Censits says. “Our shelves are a safe place to explore.”

Coolvines is located at 344 Nassau St., Princeton, 609-924-0039. On the Web: www.coolvines.com

Don't Drink and Drive - But Cycling? Ok, Once You're Off the Saddle

2008-12-21T05:21:00.000-08:00

http://www.packetinsider.com/blog/bike/?p=385

SATURDAY BIKE TOURS INCLUDE COMPLIMENTARY WINE TASTING!

Mimi Omiecinski September 2nd, 2008

Yep, it’s true. A $20 bike tour (less if you Bring Your Own Bike & Helmet) with a free wine tasting. You can’t do much better than that!

Hey Steveie, we may have to buy more bikes to accomodate the demand!

Princeton Bike Tours is partnering with COOLVINES - the the new AMAZING wine shop at the corner of Harrison and Nassau Street ……..if you can’t make the tour at least check out their stuff. (Plus, they are conveniently located next to Whole Earth and Tuscan Hills - Put together your own tasting with advice from Eric Mihan - 609-924-0039. He can help know which cheeses and fruits you need from Whole Earth. Then, the gang at Tuscan Hills can help you set a table to die for!) I had a bunch of Steve’s bosses over and did a wine tasting with Eric and EVERYONE loved it! The best part? It’s wine, cheese and bread so we didn’t have to ask for a raise after the party!!!!!

Dominico Selections

2008-12-08T05:12:00.000-08:00

http://winegroupie.blogspot.com/2008/12/domenico-selections-coming-out-party.html

Sunday, December 7, 2008
Domenico Selections Coming out party
Last night Coolvines of Westfield set up a local tasting and my new company was privileged to present a small portion of our portfolio. I was told the attendance numbered about 60. They must have all hit my table at the same time. I felt like I was back on a trading desk by the amount of information coming and going. The down and dirty is we have selected some great wines!

The lineup:

Whites:
Terra di Vento Fiano 2007
Angelorosa L'Ambriana Falanghina 2007
Angelorosa Greco Di Tufo 2007
I Stefanini Soave "Monte di Fice" 2006

Reds:
Terra Di Vento Aglianico "Petrale" 2006
Reale "Cardamone" 2007
Bocella Aglianico "Rasott" 2006
Piandibugnano "L'Erpico" 2005

The wines are all from local varieties and exhibit "correct" characteristics of what they are. Some of the folks were trying to get their arms around what the hell Falanghina can be compared to that they have tried. When you go into Baskin Robbins you ask for a taste of something new. Essentially that's what was going on last night.

Eventually drinking chocolate and vanilla (Cab and Chard?) will get boring so in our wine lives we all look for something different. Unless you're a race horse and eat the same thing every day you'll always look for new flavors. The risk is in the price. What we've tried to offer the market is something excellent and different for a down to earth tab. The wines have soul and the crowd went for it in a big way.

To anyone who attended and reads this, a big THANK YOU for showing up and tasting. For anyone who is curious what you missed, contact Coolvines at 908 232 5050 or www.coolvines.com. I think they are believers as well. A good wine shop can make a huge difference in your experience. Try these guys. You won't regret it.
Posted by Wine Groupie at 4:25 AM

Our picks for Thanksgiving wines - NJ Life Mag

2008-11-25T17:29:00.000-08:00

http://www.newjerseylife.com/dining/index.aspx?pageID=944

got another nice mention in NJ Life's online mag, featuring our pix for Turkey Day wines. Click on link above or read on...

With so much focus on the food, sometimes the wines served at Thanksgiving can be almost an afterthought, but the right bottle can make the meal. Not sure what to bring to the table this year? Mark Censits, owner of Cool Vines in Princeton and Westfield, has suggestions for both modern and traditional feasts.

Traditional Reds:

Domaine Gabriel Billard Millaine 2006
Style: Light Bodied
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Region: Burgundy
The vines that produce this wine are over 50 years old, but instead of calling it an old vines wine, Laurence Jobard named it after her grandmother, Emily Anne. That's respect, Burgundy style. The wine fits Laurence's style ind is terroir driven.
Price: $26/bottle, $23.40/bottle for a case

Triembaumer Blaufrankisch 2007
Style: medium-bodied
Grapes: Blaufrankisch
Region: Austria
The microclimate of this winery is characterized by Austria's longest hours of sunlight, high humidity, and moderate temperatures. Blaufrnkisch, a late-ripening variety, gives red wines which are typically rich in tannin and may exhibit a pronounced spicy, masculine character.
Price: $18/bottle, $16.20/bottle for a case

Traditional Whites:

Dom Jouard Chass-Mont 1er Cru "Les Baudines" 2005
Style: Full Bodied
Grapes: Chardonnay
Region: Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy
Paul Jouard represents the sixth-generation of winemakers of a 125,000-square-yard estate. The premier cru wine comes from forty-year-old vines. Along with a mineral character that is intense and complex, a delicate yet pronounced fruit character is found in this "Les Baudines" wine.
Price: $66/bottle, $59.40/bottle for a case

Aquila del Torre Riesling 2006
Style: Light Bodied
Grapes: Riesling
Region: Colli Orientali del Friuli, Italy
Aquila del Torre expresses the true elegance and complexity of the famed Colli Orientali. Michele Ciani's attention is focused on the production of expressive wines of the territory through the respectful management of the vines and surrounding environment.
Price: $21/bottle, $18.90/bottle for a case

Modern Reds:

Rusina Dry Creek Zinfandel 2005
Style: Full Bodied
Grapes: Zinfandel and Petite Sirah
Region: Dry Creek, CA
92% Zinfandel from the hilltop of the Stefani vineyard located on Canyon Rd. near Geyserville in the Dry Creek Valley, the small addition of Petite Sirah adds brown spice and structure to the wine.
Price: $29.50/bottle, $26.55/bottle for a case

Pikes the Red Mullet 2006
Style: Medium Bodied
Grapes: Shiraz and Grenache
Region: Clare Valley, Australia
Red Mullet is a classic "kitchen sink" blend. With the grapes and percentage changing every year, it gives them the flexibility to produce a great wine every vintage.
Price: $12/bottle, $10.80/bottle for a case

Modern Whites:

Bethel Heights Chardonnay Estate 2004
Style: Full Bodied
Grapes: Chardonnay
Region: Willamete Valley, OR
Sustainably-grown Chardonnay from family-owned winery Bethel Heights; this blend of old and new world Chard clones shows off its age elegantly. Notes of warm apple pie and ginger rise off the ample nose.
Price: $22/bottle, $19.80/bottle for a case

Batterieberg Detonation Riesling 2006
Style: Light Bodied, Off-Dry
Grapes: Riesling
Housed in a 1,000-year-old castle, the estate of Batterieberg takes its name from its vineyard that was created in the mid-19th century by blasting away a mountainside with dynamite. Crisp acid with an off-dry palate, this wine goes well with spicy foods or just by the glass.
Price: $12/bottle, $10.80/bottle for a case

Let's Try...CoolVines: U.S. 1 News - Nov 5, 2008

2008-11-13T04:51:00.000-08:00

What's New in Princeton & Central New Jersey?
Reprinted from the November 5, 2008, edition of U.S. 1 newspaper
Let's Try...CoolVines
by E.E. Whiting

Tucked away on a cozy corner of Nassau Street and Harrison is a new shop specializing in wines and fine spirits. CoolVines is overflowing with choices and to help sort things out, the shop sponsors free wine tastings every Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 to 5 p.m.

On a brisk Wednesday night, my friend and I arrived around 6 p.m. for a tasting of Rieslings. The shop was buzzing and the wines were a revelation. As many do, I had avoided Rieslings as being too sweet for my taste. However, the beauty of a tasting is to have your preconceptions blown out the door. We started with a dry German wine with a kick of Granny Smith apple at the end that, as advertised, would be the right choice with spicy Oriental food. The other two offerings were each progressively a tad fruitier.

In addition to the wines, the range of unusual beers was entertainment in and of itself and the staff was very knowledgeable about the differences among Belgians, organics, and British and American brews. My personal favorite section was the variety of gins with botanicals to make your head spin without even opening the bottle. To complement the gin, owner Eric Mihan pointed out a specialty tonic infused with herbs. Both ended up in my shopping bag. Also intriguing were the single grower champagnes and sparkling wines. As I am a lover of all things bubbly and different, into the bag they went.

Each bottle of wine is clearly labeled with a tag that classifies the wine, for example, as light, medium or full, as well as a “style” description such as traditional, modern, or dry, and the recommended serving temperature range. Prices run the gamut, as expected, from around $20 per bottle to, well, let’s say sums similar to the cost of dinner for four.

Beyond the wines and spirits, Cool Vines offers gift items such as stemless champagne glasses, hilarious napkins, variously flavored bitters, sake sets, and snacks. A holiday tasting will be held on Wednesday, December 3, which will showcase gift baskets created with specialty chocolates and other goodies.

Other upcoming tasting events include “Hail to the Chief,” Wednesday, November 5, 5 to 8 p.m.; “Thanksgiving Wines,” Saturday, November 8, 2 to 5 p.m.; and “Holiday Gift Wines,” Wednesday, November 12, 5 to 8 p.m.

CoolVines also participates in offsite events. On Saturday, November 8, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the store will sponsor a wine tasting at Queenstown Gallery, 24 West Broad Street, Hopewell, at the opening reception for an exhibit of watercolors by Beatrice Bork. And on Wednesday, November 19, at 7 p.m., CoolVines will co-host a multi-course Italian wine food and wine pairing dinner with special guest Doug Salthouse of Willette Wines at Gennaro’s 47B State Road (Route 206 north). The cost is $85 per person, includes tax and gratuity.

On the evening we went to the wine tasting at the store, a steady stream of visitors came and went, some coming in for the first time, others repeat customers. Cool Vines clearly has an established coterie of clients despite having opened only in August. The conversation around the tasting wines was lively and inclusive. Some folks knew about the wines, others had never tried them and were delighted to discover a new find.

Rums of all sorts, ouzo, gins, and specialty vodkas are there in plenty. Browsing is welcome and more gift items are being unpacked daily. We left with the distinct impression that if you need a special libation, this shop is apt to have it. CoolVines is also available to host private wine tastings, wine dinners, and other events. Parking is plentiful and easily found behind the shop. Stop by for an education, a chat, and a chance to discover more in the world of wine and spirits.

— E. E. Whiting

Cool Vines, 344 Nassau Street. 609-924-0039, www.coolvines.com. Complimentary wine tastings Wednesdays, 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays, 2 to 5 p.m. Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday noon to 8 p.m.

Princeton Town Topics - Wed Nov 12, 2008

2008-11-13T04:37:00.000-08:00

Princeton's local press put together a nice story on us this week. Despite a few misquotes (Yes, we are open on Thursdays and Fridays! and even sparkling wine drinking has some seasonality). Still, as they say, there's no such thing as bad press!!

http://www.towntopics.com/nov1208/stratton1.php

New CoolVines Specialty Wine Shop Recently Opened On Nassau Street

“There are people with a low or high interest in wine, or low or high knowledge of wine. We particularly enjoy working with customers who have a high interest and low knowledge. They are interested in learning about new wines and trying them. We attract people who are exploring. Young people especially are interested in trying different wines and learning about their own personal preferences.”

Mark Censits, owner of the new CoolVines wine shop at 344 Nassau Street (corner of Harrison Street), looks forward to introducing customers to his intriguing selection of wine. “We have wine from countries all over the world, including Uruguay and South Africa, as well as France, Italy, Germany, and the U.S. We emphasize small producers and family wineries.”

Opening CoolVines represents a career change for Mr. Censits, who holds an MBA and whose background is in the corporate world, especially working to revive troubled businesses.

“I had to travel a lot,” he explains, “and I decided I wanted a change. I wanted to have my own business, and I love wine. I was inspired to be a part of the local community. I’m from Princeton, and I wanted to open here.”

Other Towns

Once he got the license for a liquor store in 2006, he began to scout locations. There was nothing appropriate available in Princeton at the time, and his search took him to other towns. “I began to scope out other areas, and Westfield came up first. We opened there in 2007.”

Then, this past August, the location at 234 Nassau Street opened up, and Mr. Censits was happy to introduce CoolVines to Princeton.

“We chose the name because it had a nice contemporary feeling,” he says. “I came at this as a wine enthusiast, and I wanted to create a retail environment more conducive to friendly customer service and where customers can feel comfortable finding new wines. I recruited a team of wine experts to work with me, and our goal is to make sure all of the wine on the shelf is good wine. We taste everything, and taste blind to price. I’m getting a lot of information from the importers and distributors.”

Mr. Censits had definite ideas about the design of the shop and how he wanted to present the wine. Wines are organized by type, color, and body (light, medium, full), in straight-forward groupings. Descriptive signs (light, medium, full) are immediately visible to advise customers.

Best Selections

As Mr. Censits points out, “Wines are arranged by how they taste rather than by country or grapes. This offers even wine novices ease in finding the best selections for their needs and taste in a friendly, non-intimidating atmosphere. This is a real help to people. We’ll give descriptions, such as ‘a full-bodied traditional red, with a lot of character’ or ‘a crisp, refreshing white’ to help them out.

“We offer a very diverse array of wine, each of which is a good example of its type.” he continues. “I wanted to stay away from hype and big wine factories. Quality wines are hand-selected from around the world, focusing on authentically made wines, often from smaller wineries that offer the best value possible for CoolVines customers.

“Also, we work directly with producers and importers, eliminating the middle man. In addition, we offer special burgundy from France, and wines from Austria and Germany that are exclusively for us.”

Mr. Censits believes the timing is just right for his foray into the wine business. “Americans are continuing to drink more wine and enjoying it with a meal,” he reports. “The kind of customer we cultivate, whether a wine expert or beginner, will make a special trip to get wine. We’re a destination.”

He is very pleased to have a group of regular customers already, some of whom come in twice a week to check out the latest wines and take time to browse. They are from all over the Princeton area and beyond.

Taste in wine can be seasonal, with the exception of sparkling wine, he adds. “Winter tends to move toward reds, although sparkling wines are popular all the time, and we have a good selection of those.”

Well-Priced

CoolVines offers a wide price range, with many choices under $10, especially at $8 and $9. “Our typical range is moderately priced wine in the $10-$20 range,” he points out. “These are well-priced and very popular. There are higher priced wines as well.”

The store also features a selection of hand-crafted beers, and small-batch spirits. “Beer continues to be popular, and we have beer from 300-year-old micro breweries, including from Trappist monks in Belgium. The trend in spirits is to smaller production companies, such as Hudson River Rum. It’s not big brand names. People are trying something different, like our organic gin.”

Wine accessories include a variety of glasses, such as unusual unstemmed champagne flutes, also martini, shakers, and cheese spreaders. An assortment of gift wine cooler “baskets”, which include one or three bottles of wine, special chocolate, and cookies, will be a great holiday item.

CoolVines offers complimentary weekly wine tastings Wednesday at 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m., as well as off-site special wine events, such as those recently held at Nick Hilton Princeton and Camillo’s Cafe. An upcoming dinner event is scheduled at Gennaro’s Restaurant, including wines from CoolVines, on November 19. Further information is available on CoolVines’ website at www.coolvines.com.

Mr. Censits is very happy with the response to his shop — as one customer said: “CoolVines is cool!” — and with the location, which offers parking behind the shop. He is also pleased with the results of his career change.

“I like being part of the local business community. I like to collaborate with the local businesses, and the thing I’ve really enjoyed in Princeton is that people are so excited to try new things.”

CoolVines is open Sunday through Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 10 to 10. (609) 924-0039.

Time to Wine!

2008-10-06T20:45:00.001-07:00

My good friend Zita Keely, from Hoboken, has embarked on her latest foray into the world of wine educatoring with a 3-part series called Time to Wine. Happily for us, she chose our Westfield store in which to film it. Even more happily, she shows yours truly to co-star in one of the episodes. Primetime it ain't, but with YouTube, everyone can preserve his or her Andy Warhol moment of fame...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vVWKPn8OPY

Are we delivering on our promise?

2008-09-07T03:08:00.000-07:00

As the summer comes to an end (autumnal equinox notwithstanding), I felt it would be appropriate to pause and assess whether we at CoolVines are fulfilling our mission. From the outset, we have sought to bring something new and valuable to the market of wine lovers – an environment where artisanal wines - hand-crafted in hundreds, not millions of cases; made by family wineries and innovative non-traditional wine makers, as well as top producers from classic regions - are accessible to everyone; not just the experts who comb the wine publications to stay abreast of the best and brightest.

Why do we pursue this mission and how do we hope to achieve it? For those interested in the musings of a kindred soul - after all, I still consider myself a CoolVines customer as well as its Founder, having created CoolVines out of my own frustration at the complexity of the consumer environment for such a simple product, then read on…

Why do we focus on artisanal wines and how we make them accessible to you. For two simple reasons, one noble and one, well perhaps less noble.

Reason 1: We believe that small-production, authentically produced wines represent the best value for the wine consumer today…which is why we don’t focus on expert-rated, big-label wines. Wine ratings, at one time serving the American public to help them find the best wines at any price, now, in my humble opinion, have reduced the diversity and value that is available to wine drinkers, as many wineries feel economically compelled to produce wines that suit the palates of the influential wine raters…even if this is not in keeping with a given winemaker’s traditional style. Kind of reminds me of bad movie sequels – Producers make these movies because they make money, not because they make great art. (Caddyshack II, anyone?) And far from serving the customer in finding great values, nothing drives the price up and availability down faster than a high point rating from Robert Parker or Wine Spectator. Is there any alternative? Yes! To find high quality, but not overexposed, wines from producers who focus on making good wine, not good wine ratings; who sink their resources into grapes, barrels and aging, rather than advertisements and label design. The bad news, though, is that today’s wine market – with over 100,000 wines released into the market every year - makes it challenging for wine lovers who don’t want to spend hours every week researching the wine market to find these wines. The good news is that there are thousands of passionate and dedicated winemakers like this and we LOVE searching for them!

Reason 2: Willy Sutton said it best. When asked why he robs banks, he replied simply: “Because that’s where the money is.” Applied to the wine business, the movement toward artisanal wines, while perhaps still a blip on Yellowtail’s competition meter, is definitely where the action is. Wine consumption continues to grow in the US, whether it’s Two-Buck Chuck ($2.99 in NJ) or Chateau Margaux 2000. But the most interesting subsegment of the wine consumer market (at least to us at CoolVines) is the emerging category of authenticity-seeking, adventurous wine drinkers who get excited about trying new wines that have a story behind them, rather than a lot of marketing dollars behind them. So, yes, we ARE in business to make a little money at this, but we chose our focus on artisanal wines mostly it’s because we want to enjoy hanging out with our own customers, and these customers are the most interesting to us!

How do we serve this market? Through our wine sourcing strategy and our in-store presentation of wines. Tune in for Part II of this blog to hear how we:

1. Choose only wines that fit our criteria of great wine and great value
2. Arrange the wines in our stores by how they taste and pair with food; not by their region of production or grapes from which they are made.

...to be continued...

Questions of Taste Blog - August 2008

2008-08-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

The New Kid on the Block

while I’m tempted to offer a defense to a few of these points (we are bringing in a ton of additional French wines within the next few weeks, for example), in the end I am pleased to see that a customer of our new store in Princeton sees in CoolVines a refreshing addition to the options for wine consumers.

It's definitely a happy day for wine lovers in the Princeton area. The wine store CoolVines just completed it's first week in it's new location, on Harrison and Nassau. Here's the rundown:

The location is a bit out-of-the-way for students. In particular, it is not within easy walking distance of the Palmer Square/Witherspoon St. area. On the other hand, it is within range of the Blue Point Grill, which is probably the best BYO within reach of student budgets.

The design of the store is elegant and innovative, if a little cramped. Wines are organized by color, body (light-med-full), and price (the cheapest wines are at the bottom, so bring kneepads!)...

Their selection needs a bit of work, as they themselves will admit. Currently it seems to be about 1/6th the size of the Corkscrew's. I'll be honest - I hadn't heard of a single wine on their shelves, but the first wine I purchased (a Chinon) was a solid selection. Perhaps their under-the-radar-wines approach is a good thing...

Read full article (link to web page)

ShopPrinceton.com - August 2008

2008-08-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

CoolVines Now Open in Princeton

CoolVines presents a fundamentally different way to buy and enjoy wine. With their hand-picked selection of wines and straightforward wine groupings, you'll be able to choose wines in a much more intuitive way to match your preferences and fit the occasion. CoolVines, 344 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 609-924-0039

Read original article (link to web page)

New CoolVines Store Opens in Princeton, NJ

2008-08-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

CoolVines Princeton Store Opening:
Break out the Bubbly!
Our new store opened on Wednesday August 20, 2008 on Nassau St. in Princeton, NJ. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders now that the store is finally open. I am however not kidding myself into thinking that the hard work is over. Running a store has its own set of challenges, though different from the challenges faced when working on opening a new store. The new Princeton store hours of operation are as follows
Monday - Wednesday: 10:00 am -8:00 pm
Thursday - Saturday: 10:00 am -10:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Part of the Press release about the new store opening can be read below:
CoolVines is a specialty retail wine business owned and operated by Princeton Borough resident Mark Censits that enables wine enthusiasts, from beginner to expert, to feel confident in their wine selections. Quality wines are hand-selected from around the world, focusing on authentically made wines, often from smaller wineries that offer best value possible for CoolVines customers.

At CoolVines, wines are arranged by how they taste, rather than by country or grapes; offering even wine novices ease in finding the best selections for their needs and taste in a friendly, non-intimidating atmosphere. The on- site knowledgeable staff can provide the guidance needed to help the customer make the best selection within their budget to pair with tonight’s dinner, to take to a favorite BYO, to serve at a special event or for that special gift. Also featured is a great selection of hand-crafted beers, small-batch specialty spirits and "cool" gifts for any special occasion. Each location offers complimentary twice- weekly in- store tastings as well as off-site special wine events, which are listed on the CoolVines website. CoolVines is located in Princeton and Westfield NJ.

Westfield: 23 Elm Street in downtown Westfield, NJ across from the train station. Princeton: 344 Nassau St. in Princeton, NJ. We are open 7 days and free local delivery is available. Visit us online at http://www.coolvines.com/or call CoolVines, Westfieldat 908-232-5050 or CoolVines, Princeton at 609-924-0039.

Springwise.com - August 2008

2008-08-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

Wine Tastings via Twitter

Massachusetts-based retailer of off-price wines is taking technology-enhanced wine tastings a step further with wine tastings by Twitter.

Bin Ends, which was started up earlier this year, is now gearing up for its second Twitter Taste Live, which will be held this Thursday (9/21/2008)—the first one was in July. The project aims to give wine enthusiasts around the globe a chance to join the world's top wine personalities online for tastings via the popular social networking tool Twitter... In the U.S., they can also order the wines being tasted from Bin Ends three weeks prior to the event...Then, equipped with the wines and their Twitter account, users can join the event as it takes place, commenting, asking questions and enjoying back-and-forth interaction with the winemakers in real time...

Read full article (link to web page)

I am skeptical of this event. I have a hard time imagining a bunch of people going out and buying these wines and then sitting down to taste them while texting notes and comments through twitter. Sounds very lonely. I think wine drinking is best when social.

International Wine Guild - August 2008

2008-08-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

Recent Graduates: Mark Censits, New Jersey Wine Store Owner

After more than 20 years of helping to fix other people's businesses, Mark decided it was time to build his own. Wanting to pursue his passion for wine, he surveyed the landscape of wine retailing and identified a niche that he felt was ripe for a new venture. Enthusiasm for wine had grown in the US, yet consumers continued to be frustrated by the complexity of the wine market - so many regions, varieties, producers - wine experts touting this wine or that wine, with no regard variation in individual preferences. How can a wine lover find wines that suit his or her preferences with so many different factors to consider? As parts of his goal to become a "guide" for his customers' forays into the wine world, Mark turned to a few esteemed institutions for his own education. A 3-week course at the University of California in Davis to learn the business of wine and the Certification Seminar at the International Wine Guild formed the foundation of his knowledge...

Read full article (link to web page)

Star-Ledger - August 2008

2008-08-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

Best Picnic Wines for Under $20

The right bottle of wine can turn your next barbecue or picnic into a celebration of the last days of summer. We polled some of New Jersey’s wine merchants to find out what makes a flavorful and festive late summer wine. Here’s what they’re putting in their picnic baskets these last weekends before Labor Day.

Read full article (link to web page)

Wall Street Journal - July 2008

2008-07-31T06:22:00.000-07:00

Cultivating a Taste for Inexpensive Wine

My friend Jonathan brought my attention to this article recently posted in the Wall Street Journal. The author discusses the wine markup in restaurants, whether or not it is worth it, and how studies have found that the majority of people can not tell the difference between regular and reserve bottles of the same wine (reserve being made with the best grapes of the crop).

In response to that, I agree with much of what the author says, except that he doesn’t acknowledge that one can acquire a taste for better wine...and genuinely appreciate it. Take caviar as an analogy. Not that I can afford top-shelf caviar on a regular basis, but after having it maybe 20 times in my life now, I definitely can tell – and appreciate – the difference between cheap salmon eggs and high-quality sturgeon. Same with wine, I’m not just imagining the improved appreciation that I have for quality wine. For me, it tops out in the $150/bottle range, meaning anything above that is hard for me to justify in a price/quality way, but the difference between cheap mass-produced wine and a quality hand-crafted wine – whoa boy, I get goosebumps thinking about it!

Read article (link to new web page)

MyCentralNewJersey.com - July 30, 2008

2008-07-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

Cool Wines Available at CoolVines
Thanks to My Central Jersey for really capturing the spirit of CoolVines. It helps when a journalist is a wine lover. I recommended one of our Aussie Shiraz’s as a good example of a NOT over the top, fruit-bomb...and he loved it!
Most ordinary wine shops group their bottles by country, forcing customers to browse through scores of French, Australian or Italian wines before locating their libation of choice.
Most ordinary wine shops also have the same monotonous titles, rarely changing things up and hardly offering new, different tastes.
That can't be said of CoolVines in Westfield. That's because the small-yet-amply stocked store isn't an ordinary wine shop. It doesn't just cater to the oenophile, or wine enthusiast. CoolVines also is for the "average joe" of the wine world, and that's saying something for a store who shares a street with some pretty upscale neighbors.
Read full article (link to new webpage)

View original article in Courier News (PDF)

Press: NJ Savvy Living – June 2008

2008-07-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

Tag…You’re It

Nope, it’s not a ring of paint chips. It’s the CoolVines way to keep a wine journal. The proprietary system starts in the store where every bottle is tagged with a description and a bar code. After purchase, the tags are easily removed and placed in the journal for future reference. The innovative wine shop also offers wine tastings and touchscreen kiosks for you to record your findings...

Read full article (image file)

Suburbuzz Press - July 2008

2008-07-12T11:58:00.001-07:00

Wine Not?
Alright, we've all done it. Bought wine by the label. We hope that an attractive label equals a sumptuous wine. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Now there's a store in Westfield that makes wine selection so easy...

Read full article (link to new webpage)

Imbibe Magazine – July/August 08

2008-07-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

Eight Great Wine Shops Coast to Coast

CoolVines sits about 150 from the Westfield, NJ Train Station, but if that seems like too far to drag your feet after the schlep from Penn Station for a bottle of vino, don’t sweat it. You can email them your wine selections, as well as which train you’re going to be on, and someone from the shop will be waiting to greet you at the station with your wines in hand...

Read full article (PDF)

CommercialVigilantInc.Com - Spring 2008

2008-07-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

Another Successful Project

From first contact to the completion of our new store, Vigilant has been a great business partner. Working together we developed a beautiful and functional racking system and we look forward to working with them on our next store.

Read original article (link to new web page)

Princeton Packet Article - June 20th, 2008

2008-06-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

CoolVines sniffs a market for more wine in Princeton

Is there room for another wine merchant in Princeton?
Mark Censits thinks so.

In July, he intends to open CoolVines, a wine purveyor which will aim to educate and inspire sometime wine drinkers and bring them into the wine appreciation fold.
"We are actually trying to grow the wine market, not steal market share from existing merchants,” said Mr. Censits, 46, CoolVines’ president and CEO ...

Read full article (text document)

Market Watch - April 2008

2008-04-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

Hot Brands – Absinthe’s Revival

With such a fickle spirits consumer base, the inevitable question is whether absinthe will wither away or thrive in its niche appeal. Mark Censits of New Jersey retailer CoolVines says the most interest in the category comes from younger customers – typically in their mid-20s. “there’s a lot of mystique surrounding absinthe, but not a lot of knowledge or first-hand experience,” says Censits. “Its legend as a psychedelic drug persists despite published information to the contrary.”

Read full article (PDF)

Mano a Vino - March 2008

2008-03-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

Wine Tasting - CoolVines and Banville & Jones
Mark Censits, the man behind www.CoolVines.com a great new concept for helping you to find wine that you will really enjoy, invited me to a wine tasting at Limani Seafood Grill in Westfield, NJ.
When I arrived I was delighted to find friends from the great importer Banville and Jones Wine Merchants who were sponsoring the event and showing some of their fine wines...The first wine was La Vis Dipinti Muller Thurgau 2006 Trentino...It was a very impressive tasting.

Read full article (link to new web page)

NJ.com - January 2008

2008-01-01T11:11:00.000-08:00

Unique Wine Shop in Westfield, NJ

While a small shop, Coolvines hand selects all the wines to be sold. Wines are arranged by type - light, medium, full-bodied, rose, sparkling, sweet and fortified. They have also been hosting a wealth of free tastings. For a tasting schedule, click here. With the many BYOB's in the Westfield area, this shop is worth a trip before you head out to dinner.

Read original article (link to new web page)

WesfieldBlog - September 2007

2007-09-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

A Stylish Competent Wine Source in Westfield

CoolVines is not planning to be just another wine store. They have an interesting concept that I'm quite excited about... They focus on unusual wines that are a good value at their respective price points. They have bottles in the $10 space as well as up to $50 and beyond and they claim they have them specifically selected to represent something special at the given price...

They are open till 10:00 pm, so they are also a good source for your BYOB bottle when visiting a place in Westfield's restaurant row. They even do have a special section for wine to match certain Westfield eateries.

Read full article (link to new web page)