Total Wine brings its wide selection to Tallahassee. Here are 4 things to know about the store
Tallahassee, your wine dreams are about to come true.
Total Wine & More is slated to open its first location in the capital city on Oct. 6. It's opening at the Village Square Shopping Center off Thomasville Road in the former Stein Mart location.
It didn’t take long for Total Wine to swoop in. Soon residents will see what the hype is all about.
Original story: It's official, Total Wine & More will be setting up shop in Tallahassee
Other business news: Popular Railroad Square restaurant closing in January. The search is on for a new tenant.
Here's what you need to know about Total Wine, “America’s Wine Superstore."
Largest independent retailer of fine wine
The company – founded by two brothers, David and Robert Trone in 1991 – operates more than 240 superstores in 27 states. It started off as a small, independent store in Claymont, Delaware.
The brothers acquired a chain called Total Beverage in 1998 and rebranded the company's name. Fast forward to 2005, Total Wine enters the Florida market and now has roughly 20 locations in the sunshine state.
In proximity to Tallahassee, the Total Wine site in Gainesville is the closest location. Other sites are located in Jacksonville, Clearwater, Lutz, Bradenton, Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale, among other cities.
Wide selection of wine, liquor and beer
A typical store has more than 8,000 different wines from every wine-producing region of the world, according to the company’s website.
The selection includes rare wines, such as the Prisoner Pinot Noir ($44.99) and the Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, 2018 ($89.97).
Total Wine offers "luxury tastes" suggestions for $20 or less. Some examples include the Iter Chardonnay ($12.99) from California, Conscious Pinot Noir Willamette ($15.99) and the Oak Ridge Cabernet Estate Lodi ($16.99).
Stores also carry more than 3,500 spirits that range from reasonable to rare finds, including the Clase Azul Ultra Tequila, which retails for more than $1,000.
If you’re in the mood for beer, a typical store has more than 3,000 beers that include popular brands and rare microbrews and imports.
Cocktail of the month
So this is a total thing at Total Wine.
The monthly creation is curated by the company’s master mixologist, who uses seasonal inspirations and more more as muses every month.
Some previous creations includes “A Spritz of Romance,” made with Cara Mello Sweet Red Wine, Gin di Fiori Blood Orange, Baron de Casterac and bubbly club soda, and the “Beermosa,” made with wheat beer and orange juice.
Every cocktail has a difficulty range attached to it, along with the time factor to complete the drink.
Employs wine experts
Part of what makes the Total Wine experience enjoyable is largely due to its employees. It has a company-wide workforce of more than 11,000 employees, including hundred of in-house wine experts.
What does it take to be a wine expert? Employees must complete extensive training and participate in weekly team wine tastings and monthly wine-producer seminars.
Contact TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com or follow @TaMarynWaters on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Total Wine & More set to open in Tallahassee off Thomasville Road
