It's hard to find a decent wine outside of a Yellow Tail or (God forbid) a Kendall Jackson when trying to impress a girl or her mother. Hell, it's hard to find a girl or mother worth impressing with an impressive wine.
It takes effort, and I'm lucky enough to have found a specialty store that has yet to let me down. Valley Cheese & Wine, located at 1770 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy. in Henderson, has everything you need for a night in with friends (or a lover) should you decide to serve something other than frozen pizza.
A small store tucked in a shopping center in a quiet corner of Henderson, Valley Cheese & Wine has been open for eight months. And so far, business is bursting at the cork.
Owners Bob Howard and Kristin Sande are a husband-and-wife team that runs the store with hired friend, Casey Regan. Bob and Kristin have a combined experience of 30 years in the food business. It shows, too. Bob and I had a conversation about chocolates for about half an hour. And I don't even really like chocolate, so he did most of the talking, but man, what knowledge. He told me of cacao bean cross-pollination and even offered a taste of some delicious dark treats. My 101-year-old Aunt Vi, who says her longevity is owed to all the chocolate she eats, would be proud.
In an economy full of Lee's Liquors and Smith's and other impersonal mega stores, specialty stores are great finds. And with the explosion of celebrity chefs and the Food Network's popularity, people are curious about where their food comes from, Bob said.
"Lots of people are from all over the country, from big cities like San Francisco and Chicago, and they'll find us and think, 'Oh wow; I've been looking for a place like this,'" he explained.
Bob started in the business at a friend's specialty store in St. Louis. After four years, he was ready to open his own shop and offer tasty delights like duck legs confit and artesial cheeses such as Grayson, Manchengo and Montgomery Cheddar, which tops the curd you might find at Albertson's. It's like an entirely different cheese; in fact, it's a lot like eating a good cheese. Bob's brother happened to be in Las Vegas at the time and told him that "no one was doing this kind of store."
Because of that, Bob can sell higher-end items to people because they're looking for that specialty item. And just as many men as women come into the store looking for the right meat, cheese or honey to go with the best wine.
Most of the wine you'll find at Valley Cheese & Wine is European. "I wanted to give the public a different option. If I had all California wines, what would set us apart?" Bob asked. "I sell wine to the everyday drinker. And it's tough to find a great wine for $15."
Several times, I've walked in and said, "I'd like a nice dry red for about 20 bucks" - and Bob knows right where to take me. If you are looking for the same, try a Spanish wine called Las Rocas Garnacha. Or an Italian Pinot Grigio from Alois Lageder for $18.99.
Bob's personal favorite is something I'm uncorking this weekend: a French wine called Domaine De Pouy. Its grapes are often used for making cognac, but this wine is smooth and light and meant to be drunk young. For just $11, it's a fantastic summer wine, but still fresh and delicious in the winter, Bob assured me.
If you want a new and exquisite taste, Valley Cheese & Wine is where you need to be. Just ask Bob, Kristin or Casey, and they'll point you in the right direction. Your pallet will not be disappointed, and neither will your wallet. LW
