He really didn’t have a clue.
Corey Manning landed employment at Casa di Vino a few years ago without any knowledge concerning the wine industry, but his position certainly opened up a brand new world. In fact, these days, he owns Casa di Vino in Centre Market.
Manning stocks the shop with wines most have not seen before, and he does his best to make each bottle affordable for folks here in the Upper Ohio Valley. Plus, he takes his prior inexperience into consideration when welcoming new patrons to Casa di Vino because, yes, he added a splash of Sprite to his first few glasses because of the carbonation.
Manning enjoys entertaining at the shop, too, and he has mapped a course that includes future tastings and private gatherings that, of course, would be permitted under the state of West Virginia’s current pandemic guidelines.
What is it about wine that provoked you to purchase Casa di Vino in Centre Market? Please explain.
When I started at the shop, I was clueless of the wine industry and how much there was to it. It was something brand new to learn that I knew nothing about. It amazes me how the same grape grown in different areas of the world can taste so different with just the simplest changes. Or even, the same grape grown in neighboring vineyards can taste so different once the winemaker uses his techniques of winemaking. And, to go along with my interest in wine, the people I’ve met at the shop and in the food and wine industry have been great.
Please explain your process when selected what wines to stock in the store.
I definitely try to work with labels that you’re not going to find in too many shops in the area. I typically work with bigger, richer style reds and whites, so grapes like Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon always jump out me right away. Price range is a big key, too. I’ve always thought that you can spend $40-$50 and typically get a really nice bottle of wine, but the fun part is finding the $15-$25 bottle that tastes as good as the higher end bottle.
Tell us the story about the very first time you tasted a wine. How old were you; what wine was it; and did you like it from that very first taste?
The first wine that I tried was a dry red homemade wine made of mostly Zinfandel, I think. I was about 20, and at the Italian Festival with my brother and his girlfriend’s family. I didn’t understand how anyone could drink it and actually enjoy it after the sip. But then we added a little Sprite, and it went down a lot easier. (I no longer add Sprite to my wine.)
How difficult has it been to own and operate Casa di Vino during the COVID-19 pandemic? In what ways have you adapted?
It’s definitely been different, but I feel the community has been great supporting me through it all. For a little while it was tough to access different suppliers that I work with out of Pennsylvania, but it seems to be coming back around.
The biggest thing that has been a little tough is not hosting my events. Prior to COVID, the First and Third Friday wine tastings were always great nights. We were hosting more birthdays, bridal showers and other things, and that has all been put on hold. Soon we are going to start doing more smaller scale tastings of about 15 people and building up as we can.
What kind of wines are most popular at Casa di Vino? How daring are the people in the Wheeling area when it comes to trying new wines?
I sell a lot of California wines. Cabernets more than anything, but that is also the biggest selection of one type of wine that I carry.
People are very open to trying to new wines. I’ve gotten to know a lot of my customers and their tastes over the years 10-11 years I’ve been here. They really seem to trust my judgment and taste, and keep coming back. So, I think that’s a good sign.
