"Sip globally, buy locally" series #1

Edition: Downtown Wine & Spirits

By TYLER BALLIET

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"You know that show, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia?" asks Dan Parsons, general manager of Somerville's Downtown Wine & Spirits. "That's basically us."

He's referring to the constant banter between employees, the ludicrous ideas and their almost kamikaze-esqe willingness to follow through. If it weren't for the trove of booze filling every square-inch of the retail space, the store could be easily confused with an independent record store, complete with loud music.

Parsons, in coordination with wine buyer Jeff Golden, are building the foundation for what they hope will become Boston's wine mecca. After pouring a few midday glasses of Armagnac, the guys quickly switch from cracking jokes to waxing poetic about their shop. "We talk about [the store] like a work of art," Parsons states. He goes on to explain their opportunity to create the wine and spirit shop of their dreams.

The community of Davis Square has already embraced the shop. "It's like Cheers," Parsons says, "where everyone fuckin' knows your name." They have customers stopping by to hang and listen to tunes, but more importantly, they come in for new wine recommendations. The staff of Downtown may be young—not a single employee is over the age of 35—but it doesn't mean they aren't knowledgeable. "People know what they're drinking," explains Golden.

Whether to keep up with their customers or quench their intense thirst for knowledge, the Downtown crew researches everything they buy to a point where they often know more about the wines than the people who sell them. They pass on this knowledge to their customers via a no-bullshit policy. Parsons is very clear about his purpose: It's to create a store that is "by the people, for the people."

On top of all this, Downtown is hiding a secret wine weapon. The basement is lined with case upon case of back-vintage fine wine. Think verticals (bottles from multiple years) of internationally famous and critically acclaimed wines like California cult Cabs, First Growth Bordeaux and, as Golden refers to them, "odd, strangely fermented stuff from Tuscany." While they have no immediate plans to open up the hidden wine room, they do sell bottles to customers personally.

Parsons and Golden admit to regularly downing 40s and handles of Jim Beam, but they feel the friendly intermingling of enjoying fine vino and booze helps to put wine and spirits in context. Some of their customers will save up money all year to buy a few choice bottles, but the staff insists upon the integrity of each one. The store's dusty corners house some of the best wines in the city. Ask for help and you won't regret it.

On Saturday, November 8th, Downtown hosts their biannual Grand Tasting. They will uncork upwards of 150 different bottles and bust out knowledge until every drop has been consumed. Join the editors of The Second Glass from 1pm-5pm and enjoy 20 percent off a case or more.

[Downtown Wine & Spirits, 225 Elm St., Davis Sq., Somerville. 617.625.7777. downtownwineandspirits.com]

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