Last Friday, Imbibe NY Wine Club took a field-trip to visit Keith Beavers at Alphabet City Wine Co. on Ave C.  Keith, who is also the East Village Wine Geek, opened this boutique with a partner nearly 18 months ago, and every Friday and Saturday, he hosts a party at the shop.  Well, not really a party, but a tasting that packs the house because it’s a fun place to hang out.  

We tasted a couple of Spanish Monastrells and a Granacha, all of which were lovely.  And we all bought bottles of a brilliant sparkling Shiraz–The Black Chook ($20)–that Keith raved about as he poured us a all a taste…and yes, he was right.  None of that sickly sweet stuff; it tasted like a real Shiraz.  I trust this man’s selections–and really wished this was my neighborhood store.  I even bought a bottle of Tegernseerhof Rosé Zweigelt (!) because Keith said it was great, and so how could I not?

Not only does he know his sh*t about wines, but Keith’s got a welcoming vibe.  He’s a blast and he digs people hanging out.  There are cushy armchairs by the front window and and lots of folks passing through the door–most of whom he seems to know by name.  To top it all off, there’s a great selection, and a lot of bottles for under 20 bucks.  

It’s no surprise that Keith also co-owns In Vino, the Italian wine spot on East 4th.  In three years he went from waiter to part owner–and now he even creates most, if not all of the menu’s dishes, for which Mom gets props.  

Stay tuned–we expect Keith to make a guest appearance at September’s wine club.

 

[Alphabet City Wine Co., 100 Ave. C, New York, NY 10009]