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speakup

If you have your nose to the grindstone, you probably either smell sandy rock or have a bloody nose.

But seriously, if you have your wine ears to the ground, you've probably heard that Alcool NB Liquor's newest store has opened at the corner of Main Street and Vaughn Harvey Boulevard.

The opening of a new or re-modeled store is quite common when you consider the entire province, but the opening of a large store, especially one in our area is cause for some celebration.

The new format stores are built with some common design elements.

Regardless of size, these new stores tend to have wine in the middle, spirits on the walls and beer in a large walk-in cooler at the back

The difference between a smaller store and a larger store is simply the number of different products available for purchase.

Moncton's new downtown store is called a Sélection location which means it is intended to hold every product available in the province.

This is no small feat given the tremendous diversity of product now being sold by the ANBL. Indeed, this newest store is already filled to the brim and store staff could be forgiven for wondering where any new products will go.

The new store design is intended to motivate consumers to stay awhile. They want you to relax, browse a little - they want you to shop.

The more inviting the store, the more likely you will be to linger long enough to read back labels, gaze longingly at front labels, and ultimately to fill your cart.

Anyone who has ever set foot in a large grocery store south of the border will understand the concept of wine shopping.

Long aisles of floor to ceiling wine selections with every third or fourth bottle having a 'shelf talker' letting you know why that wine is special and worthy of your shopping dollar.

I always come out with several bottles more than I intended to buy which generally leads to drinking several glasses more than I intended to drink.

And don't even get me started on the glorious experience that awaits you in the Costco wine aisles . . . but I digress.

The NB wine shopping experience isn't at this level yet but most savvy consumers will still love having access to one more bottle-stuffed Sélection store.

Knowing that pretty much every wine in the province is available at the store means that there might be something new that you haven't seen before, and that is an irresistible draw for anyone with the wine bug.

So please take some time to visit the new store. Spend time in the aisles. Wave a friendly hello to other shoppers and inwardly smile at the thought that they too have the wine bug.

Look for something new - and try it. That really is the point To keep you interested in looking for new products and to reduce any apprehension you might have in trying it.

An open mind, an open mouth and an open wallet.

* Bill Vance is a professional Sommelier and organizer of the World Wine & Food Expo. See this week's recommendation on page 17. He can be reached at bestbuywine@rogers.com.