Ask the Cellar Dweller

Who is the Cellar Dweller?

Dear Cellar Dweller,
I’ve seen your around the store, but I don’t know who you are. What is a Cellar Dweller? Who are you and where did you come from? Signed, Curious Onlooker
Dear Curious,
GREAT questions! First, let me take a moment to welcome you to my feature page on pwcwineandliquor.com: Ask the Cellar Dweller. It’s about time I introduced myself. The Cellar Dweller came about very early in Personal Wine Cellar’s existence. One slow day, an employee made a little figure of a man out of cardboard, and placed him on top of the cooler to see if anyone would notice (that was me, of course). Over the next few weeks, staff made a game of hiding me around the store, to see who could find me, hidden in plain sight. Brian loved it, and thought it would be a great idea to make a promotion out of the game. And so my role as the Cellar Dweller was created!
I got a pretty sweet makeover…
(Thanks, Mountain Design Group!) I also got an official role in the store: Find me hiding in plain sight, and receive 10% off your wine purchase. Things kinda took off from there. Some customers come in and look for me every visit. Others stumble upon me by happy accident. And many kids help Mom or Dad by finding the little figure hiding in the shelves (we’ve got lollipops for helpful kids, too). Nowadays, you’ll also see me driving around town in plain sight, on the side of the PW Express Delivery Truck! Over the last six years I’ve come into my own, and learned a lot about all of the products at Personal Wine Cellar. Go ahead, test my knowledge of wines and spirits. Ask me anything! Your question could be featured right here on Ask the Cellar Dweller! Visit our Contact Us page to submit your question, or ask in person at Personal Wine Cellar! Hope that helps, Curious Onlooker! — CD the Cellar Dweller Personal Wine Cellar serves Glenville, Scotia, Ballston Lake, Ballston SPA, Burnt Hills, Clifton Park, Charlton, East Glenville, and most areas of Schenectady west of I87. Personal Wine Cellar…”not the biggest…just the BEST!”
Ask the Cellar Dweller: Why Do I Get a Red Face When I Drink?

CD Explains Why Drinking Can Leave You with a Red Face

Dear Cellar Dweller,
Sometimes when I drink, I notice I get really red in the cheeks. My ears get red too, and I feel hot. It’s kind of embarrassing. So, why do I get a red face? What gives? -Sensitive in Schenectady
Dear Sensitive,
You’re not alone! This annoying problem is quite common. It can happen to anyone, and it does, for a few different reasons… Usually, it has to do with how your body metabolizes the alcohol. Or, more accurately, how it doesn’t. Inside your body, alcohol breaks down into acetaldehyde. If your body has trouble metabolizing it, the capillaries in your face will dilate, and cause that red color and warm feeling. This is sometimes called the Alcohol Flush Reaction, or AFR [1].
Sometimes AFR can indicate a bigger problem.
While irritating but generally harmless, this flush is sometimes a sign of a bigger problem, such as high blood pressure, alcohol intolerance, or even an alcohol allergy. Got a question about AFR? Ask your doctor! Being proactive never hurts. I hope this answers your question, Sensitive! -CD the Celler Dweller Visit our Contact Us page to submit your question, or ask in person at Personal Wine Cellar! Personal Wine Cellar serves Glenville, Scotia, Ballston Lake, Ballston SPA, Burnt Hills, Clifton Park, Charlton, East Glenville, and most areas of Schenectady west of I87. Personal Wine Cellar…”not the biggest…just the BEST!”

https://www.livestrong.com/article/146644-face-redness-alcohol/
Ask the Cellar Dweller: What’s the Best Sangria?

The Cellar Dweller shares his secret recipe for the best sangria!
Dear CD, It’s been hot out, and I’m dying for a pitcher of cold, refreshing Sangria. Which is the best sangria? Is making your own really that much better? -Sweaty in Scotia
Dear SiS,
I love a good glass or three of Sangria, and making it is a breeze! I’ll let you in on a little secret though: the key ingredient to the best sangria is PATIENCE. The longer you can let the mixture you concoct stew in your fridge, the better it’s gonna taste. So, reader, if time is of the essence, my recommendation would be to stop by Personal Wine Cellar and grab a bottle of pre-made sangria. We have some really delicious ones, like Freefall, Opici, and Senor sangrias. All you really need to do with these, is stick them in your fridge or freezer (for 60 or 20 minutes, respectively) and serve– over ice, if desired. However, if you’ve got at least two hours before drinky-time and can utilize that all important ingredient PATIENCE, you will be handsomely rewarded with an easily customizable and wholly imbibable sangria that’s sure to knock your socks off.
Are you Ready to Make the Best Sangria?
All you really need is a dry-ish wine (red or white, your choice), some brandy, and some fresh fruit. Optional ingredients include herbs (mint is a good one), fruit juices, and other flavored spirits. Aside from that, the sky’s the limit. Here is my favorite, simple, white sangria recipe, just for fun! Ingredients 750 ML dry white wine 1/2 cup (or so) simple syrup 3/4 cup peach schnapps 1 LB fresh, ripe peaches, sliced and pitted 1 liter lemon/lime soda Directions Line the bottom of a pitcher with slice peaches. Add white wine, simple syrup, and peach schnapps to the pitcher and stir to combine. Let this mixture sit in your fridge for at least 2 hours, and preferably overnight. Fill wine glass 1/2 full with sangria, and top with lemon/lime soda. Enjoy! -CD the Cellar Dweller
Ask the Cellar Dweller: You Guys Have Home Delivery?!?!

Dear Cellar Dweller,
So I’m just now hearing that you guys do home delivery. WHAT NOW?!?! I hate crowds and traffic so this sounds like a dream come true. Please tell me more about how I can have my alcohol brought to my home while also having more limited human interactions. Thank you. – Tell Me More
Dear Tell Me,
You heard right! Personal Wine Cellar is one of only a few stores in our area that offers a home delivery service. If you’re lucky enough to live in the Scotia/Glenville area (and even a little bit beyond), we will indeed bring your purchase right to your door via PWXpress! One quick phone call and you could sip some sangria, party with Patron, or relax with some Relax without ever leaving your house! PWC offers delivery service on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 2pm to 7pm. There’s a $25 minimum to order, and over $75 mean no delivery fee! Give us a call at 518-399-WINE if you have questions, or to place your order. You can also learn more by checking out the PWXpress page on our website. Our delivery area is outlined there, too. And keep an eye out for the PWXpress truck– with my picture on it– driving in plain sight! – CD the Cellar Dweller
P.S.
If you’d like a sneak peak of what we have to offer, you can visit our website, pwcwineandliquor.com and click on the “wine” or “liquor” menus to browse some of our inventory online. We’re add more and more items all the time, so check back frequently. If you like a more hands-on approach, give us a call and one of our knowledgeable associates will happily shop our inventory with you. We’ve got a little something for everyone at your Personal Wine Cellar! *** Personal Wine Cellar’s mission is not to stock our shop with our favorites, but to fill it with yours! We offer more than 5,000 wine and liquor products to satisfy all tastes, all at competitive prices. Whether you are looking for that wine to pair with lunch or dinner or a nice gift for that special someone, let our knowledgeable staff help guide you to that ideal bottle of wine or liquor!” Personal Wine Cellar serves Glenville, Scotia, Ballston Lake, Ballston SPA, Burnt Hills, Clifton Park, Charlton, East Glenville, and most areas of Schenectady west of I87. Personal Wine Cellar…”not the biggest…just the BEST!”
Ask the Cellar Dweller: How Can I Drink for Free?

The Cellar Dweller clues a reader in on how to drink for free
Dear Cellar Dweller- I feel like I should enjoy trying new things, but I’m poor and it’s so expensive. How am I supposed to figure out what I like? Do you give out free samples? Is it possible to drink for free these days? Signed, Frustrated Wannabe Dear Frustrated- So you want something for nothing, eh? Well believe it or not, I am in a position to help you, my friend! Personal Wine Cellar LITERALLY does free tastings ALL. THE. TIME. Seriously. Don’t believe me? Check out our calendar. And that isn’t even all of them, because we add more all the time, too. A good rule of thumb is that there is probably a tasting every Friday. For instance, THIS Friday, we’re featuring several spirits from Saint Lawrence Distillery in Northern New York. They are our featured products of the month, and eligible for 10% off your purchase throughout the month of August. So when you stop by Friday, try them for free, and decide you like them…you can buy them for LESS! That should also please your wallet! Hope to see you there, Frustrated. And maybe when you stop by we can call you something more fun, like “Totally Excited Wannabe,” or “Jeff.” Let me know what you think! -CD the Cellar Dweller *** Personal Wine Cellar’s mission is not to stock our shop with our favorites, but to fill it with yours! We offer more than 5,000 wine and liquor products to satisfy all tastes, all at competitive prices. Whether you are looking for that wine to pair with lunch or dinner or a nice gift for that special someone, let our knowledgeable staff help guide you to that ideal bottle of wine or liquor!” Personal Wine Cellar serves Glenville, Scotia, Ballston Lake, Ballston SPA, Burnt Hills, Clifton Park, Charlton, East Glenville, and most areas of Schenectady west of I87. Personal Wine Cellar…”not the biggest…just the BEST!”
Why PWC for Your Liquor Delivery Schenectady NY Search

Why you should choose Personal Wine Cellar when searching for a Liquor Delivery Schenectady NY. PW Xpress is here at last! We will deliver for free to your door any of your favorite products with in 2 hours. If you can’t make it here to shop our immense selection of liquor and wines, you’ll be happy to know we can bring them to you! Our delivery services are available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Free Delivery is available on all orders over $75.

Personal Wine Cellar serves Glenville, Scotia, Ballston Lake, Ballston SPA, Burnt Hills, Clifton Park, Charlton, East Glenville, and most areas of Schenectady west of I87. We are not the biggest…just the BEST!
Ask The Cellar Dweller: How To Taste Wine
Dear Cellar Dweller,
Whenever I attend a wine tasting, I feel intimidated by the “experts”. I don’t know ANYTHING about wine besides that I like what I like. Can you teach me how to taste wine like a pro? Thanks, Beginners Luck
Dear Beginner,
That is a loaded question!! I can certainly give you some tips on how to taste wine, but it seems to me that you’ve figured out the secret already: you like what you like!! Most of those “experts” you mentioned are experiencing wine using as many senses as possible to get the most out of it. You can do this too, but it may or may not affect your opinion on what you’re drinking.
Give it a try and let us know what you think!
- Start by looking at the wine. Notice the color. Is it opaque? Clear? Deep red? A tinge green?
  - Swirl it around in the glass and observe the “legs” (aka whether or not it clings to the side of the glass and creates streaks as it runs down). Legend has it that this can tell you any number of things about the wine, from how sweet it is, to its quality, to its alcohol content. I really can’t tell you if any of that is true or not, but it’s fun to do and you will definitely have that expert “look” down pat!
- Next, give the wine a sniff. If you’re not used to doing this, it’s gonna feel a little strange to do. And if you’re not careful, you might end up with a little on the end of your nose. It’s all part of the fun, my friend.
- Then, my favorite part: take a sip! Swish it around your mouth a little, if you like. Try and pinpoint any flavors you notice.
  - If you have heard or read that the wine you’re tasting has a certain flavor, be prepared to notice that. I once tasted a wine after reading a tasting note that it had a hint of dust, and that was all I could taste.
  - Many wines change. Throughout the sip, the longer it’s exposed to air, etc. So what you taste during your first sip may change the more you have.
There you go!
You’ve just tasted wine “like a pro”. For the full effect, feel free to then mutter stuff about tannins, appellation, and/or structure. You know, for fun! Seriously though, Beginner, the best way to learn how to taste wine, is just to keep an open mind, and keep tasting them. The free wine tastings at Personal Wine Cellar are a great way to accomplish this. You’ll be an expert in no time! Good Luck! -CD the Cellar Dweller
Does Personal Wine Cellar offer any discounts?

We offer case discounts along with military, veterans, first responders, and senior’s discounts. Mix or match 6 bottles of wine, you’ll save 10% with our reusable bag. Mix or match 12 bottles of wine, you’ll save 15% on throwback Thursday’s. No need to ask because our staff will automatically give you the discount. For our military, veterans, and first responders please show your ID and our staff will reduce the price of your purchase. We like to give a discount to our seniors who are generally in their mid 60’s and are retired or otherwise on a fixed income. Come see us and we’ll reduce the price of your purchase.
Use your reusable bag to save 10%
We also offer a reusable bag for purchase. Every time you fill it with just 6 bottles you get 10% off.
Find the Cellar Dweller
And hidden in plain sight somewhere different every day is the Cellar Dwellar! Find him and bring him to the register and you will receive a discount on your wine purchase.
Do you offer any special services?

Yes we do! If you’re having trouble handling your purchase, one of our staff will carry it out to your car. Know what you want and are in a hurry? We have curbside service! Call ahead and we will meet you at your car. Personal Wine Cellar of Glenville and Scotia now offers home delivery. For more info, please go to PW Express.
I don’t know much about wine or liquor. How can you help?

Personal Wine Cellar of Glenville and Scotia is here to help. Our knowledgeable staff can help without making you feel like you don’t know much. They are trained to find that perfect wine or liquor for your meal or special occasion. After all, the best wine is the one you like!

Dear Cellar Dweller,

Dear Sensitive,

Sometimes AFR can indicate a bigger problem.

Dear Cellar Dweller,

Dear Curious,

I got a pretty sweet makeover…

CD Explains Why Drinking Can Leave You with a Red Face

The Cellar Dweller shares his secret recipe for the best sangria!

Dear SiS,

Are you Ready to Make the Best Sangria?

Dear Cellar Dweller,

Dear Tell Me,

P.S.

The Cellar Dweller clues a reader in on how to drink for free

Dear Cellar Dweller,

Dear Beginner,

Give it a try and let us know what you think!

There you go!

Use your reusable bag to save 10%

Find the Cellar Dweller

Contact Us

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