Columbus lost an icon of wine retail this week when Roger Gentile died on Monday. Gentile's Wine has been in business for sixty years and Roger has been in charge for over forty of them. It's not a big shop, but the selection is quality and carefully selected. He shared his wine knowledge through conversation, teaching, and in two books on wine he wrote.
I did not know him well but had a lot of respect for him as a person. He was always fun to be around during trade tastings and after the owner of the shop I managed died, he came in to offer condolences, and not to be a vulture by eyeing the store as a possible thing to poach on the cheap the way some other owners did. I appreciated the kindness he showed me during that rough time.
May his family, friends and all those he shared wine with over his long career have some peace at this sad time. Slainte.
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