Richard Currier
Age: 81
Lives: Amherst
Occupation: Co-owner of the Amherst Party Shop since 1972 with his wife, Rose, 66.

New Year’s Eve is coming up, have you noticed any trends in wines or other libations?

Well, up until the economy turned sour, the trend was toward the California-style wines. Ohio is making some nice wines now.

Do you want to name some names?

The Laurello from Geneva, and locally some of the new ones like Matus Winery and the several around here are making some good wines.

What are people drinking now?

Oh, they’re drinking a lot more good red wines, white zinfandels are falling off. People are enjoying more full-bodied wines and a lot of fruit forward wines.

What about New Year’s?

That would be the Champagnes. The Chequot Veuve’s is very nice. It’s French, but you don’t have to go that high — $50 to $55 a bottle.

Are people mixing wines, making a cooler with wine?

Some people like to conjure up their own Sangrias, but not too much of that going on. Most people like to enjoy the wine as it’s intended.

What are some unusual wines that you recommend?

We got some new ones in —Dark Horse from California is real nice, Gunslinger and Michael Pozzan.

What about the New Year’s Day dinner?

Probably some white wines for the dinner, depending on what you’re having. A Pinot Noir with ham is good. White Chardonnay or Riesling go pretty well with turkey.

What’s the most expensive bottle of wine that you’ve ever sold from the store?

A thousand dollars, it was a French Rothschild.

What got you started in the wine business?

Just a demand for better wines. The grocery store wines are good for daily drinking, but … a lot of people like to stray away from that style of wine.

Do you have any hobbies?

Sleep.

Chronicle photographer Chuck Humel shines the spotlight on the people of Lorain County each week. Know someone worthy of 15 Minutes? E-mail chumel@chroniclet.com.

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