Every Day Wines

The French, Italians and Spanish believe in enjoying wine on a daily basis. But many people in and around New Orleans grew up in households where wine was served only on special occasions. This is becoming less and less the case. New Orleanians are spicing up their dinners with great everyday wines that are recommended to them by reputable dealers or their local supermarket wine department managers. In fact more than ever, people are learning about wine and gathering with friends and family for wine tastings throughout the city. No longer are they intimidated by wine.

Butch Steadman, the wine and spirits director at Dorignac’s Food Center since 1974, has come up with a list of everyday wines to enjoy throughout the week. Steadman is well respected among his peers and was recognized by Market Watch Magazine as a leader in the beverage industry in 2004. Steadman recommends trying a variety of wines, which is the only way to discern your tastes. He suggests starting with simple and inexpensive wines and working your way up to the more expensive bottles.

Steadman works closely with Dorignac’s spirits director, Lenny Keller, who began his career in the liquor industry in 1970 and has been employed by Dorignac’s Food Center for 11 years. For the past 36 years, he has been fortunate to tour just about every winery and vineyard of note in California and Oregon. Keller has also attended schools in France and Germany to further his education on wines, champagnes and other spirits from around the world. For close to 12 years, he has taught classes on wine to students at Tulane and UNO.

Steadman and his team of professionals are knowledgeable in all areas of wine and spirits. Dorignac’s Food Center is known throughout the city for its amazing selection of spirits, wine and beer. The store stocks more than 6,000 varieties of wine, over 1,500 types of spirits and over 300 brands of beer.