Serving Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, and the Greater Wilshire neighborhoods of Los Angeles since 2011.

Wine Buyer Simon Cocks Leaving Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits and Cheese

Simon Cocks with his 183rd, and last, Wine-of-the-Month selection for patrons at the Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits and Cheese Shop.

 

This month, Simon Cocks, longtime wine buyer for the Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits and Cheese, posted his 183rd “Wine of the Month” selection at the shop. It will also be his last. Cocks and his wife, Paula, have decided to leave LA for Taos, New Mexico.

“We thought this was a good time to make a change,” said Cocks. “We have family in Taos and nearby Colorado, where Paula is from, so we thought why not do it now. What are we waiting for?”

Cocks joined the team at the Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits and Cheese in 2005, after having worked in the industry in a variety of capacities including representing vineyards and distributors. Cocks said he was looking to get back into the retail side of the business when industry colleague Linda Meyerson Dean, a longtime resident of Windsor Square, suggested he contact Sergio Boccato, owner and found of Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits and Cheese. Boccato, who grew up in the neighborhood, had opened the shop 1995 with his father, John. Their founding wine buyer, Jeffrey Senior, passed away in 2004, and Boccato was looking for another buyer. Boccato had also recently expanded the shop to the space next door, offering meats and cheeses other specialty foods. Shortly thereafter, Boccato developed the now legendary sandwiches.

 

Simon Cocks (left) and Sergio Boccato have been working together since 2005, when Cocks joined as the wine buyer.

 

“The sandwiches are all Sergio. I just buy the wine!” Cocks told the Buzz.

It’s been a winning combination for the past 17 years as the sandwiches are so popular and the shop appears on many lists as one of the best places to get a sandwich in the city.

“Larchmont has always had a wine shop,” Boccato told the Buzz. “When we expanded, we had the bread, the meats and the cheeses, so we decided to sell simple sandwiches with fresh ingredients based on my family’s Italian tradition. We can offer a great product and avoid waste.”

Cocks has enjoyed stocking the shop with great wines he wants customers to experience. He also started the Wine of the Month program to highlight his selections.

“I am looking for something that’s surprising or unusual in appearance, but not so unusual that you don’t find something familiar about it,” explained Cocks. “I also want something that’s a very good value for the price.”

This month, Cocks selected a lovely white wine, 2020 Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne, Domaine Duffour. Here’s what Cocks wrote:

 

“This was an easy one…just the sort of wine we hope to find at this price at just the right time of year. To beat the August heat, do try this simply delicious white from the Gascogne in southwestern France.

Michel Duffour, a true character, fashions this little beauty from old vine Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Gros Manseng. Not much technical winemaking information is available (the jovial Michel is more interested in bullfights, parties and long dinners than discussing his methods.), but this is a wine that probably doesn’t see much oak at all, involves a short maceration and presents as fresh and vibrant. The complexity and sophistication evident here is remarkable for a wine in this price range.

Slightly floral, with persistent aromas of pear, melon, white peach and citrus, this is uplifting with a pleasingly dry finish.a perfect summer white for all sorts of occasions and cuisines. Try this with grilled freshwater fish, goat’s milk cheeses, grilled vegetables or a selection of your preferred appetizers.

A personal note to end, this will be my last Wine-of-the-Month before I leave for new pastures and adventures. I started this series back in 2007, so this will be the 183rd according to my records.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the selections as much as I have enjoyed finding them for you. Stay curious, keep exploring wine, enjoy the moment you share it with friends, be kind to each other and be brave as we all face the challenges we face. Thank you so much for all your support over the years.
Adieu,
Simon

 

Cocks will be leaving the shop at the end of the month, so you still have time to stop in, buy a bottle of wine and offer a toast to his new adventure. We did!

 

Cocks and Boccato bring their wine expertise to a wine tasting event at The Ebell of Los Angeles in 2015.

 

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Patricia Lombard
Patricia Lombard
Patricia Lombard is the publisher of the Larchmont Buzz. Patty lives with her family in Fremont Place. She has been active in neighborhood issues since moving here in 1989. Her pictorial history, "Larchmont" for Arcadia Press is available at Chevalier's Books.

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4 COMMENTS

  1. We are terribly sorry to see Simon Cocks leave the Wine Shop! We have enjoyed his suggestions for years and often purchase his wine of the month choice. We hope his move will be a happy one. Our best wishes for Simon and his wife.

  2. We will miss Simon – being a member of the wine trade I have had many a great visit to see and taste with Simon. He was always appreciative and has great taste & sense of humor, a trait often lacking in buyers. All of us at Lang & Reed will miss him and hope he finds everlasting ‘enchantment’ in Taos, NM!

  3. Having worked with Simon at the shop for quite some time, it was a real pleasure to have had anything to do with him. His wine of the month and other suggestions given, were always something to look forward to. Thank you and Paula for the great memories as I grin optimistically in thoughts of your your future endeavors.

    -cesar

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