Merchant's Corner

Discover masterpieces of the vintner's art, the unsung wonders and the overrated duds in this blog from the wine buyers at Zachys. These folks have tasted it all.

If I could go anywhere on a tasting tour this summer it would be to Jerez in southwestern Spain. I've been wanting to go check out the production of sherry for quite some time now.
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Incredibly Over-Rated Wines Part III

Posted 01/31/2008 at 11:02 PM by Andrew

The "super-extracted" Australian wines ... and by that I mean wines that are so rich and ripe and loaded with new oak that they become almost unrecognizable as wine, are way over-rated to me. I want wine to be part of the Food & Wine experience. A great glass of wine should compliment your meal and not overpower it.
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Incredibly Over-Rated Wines Part II

Posted 01/26/2008 at 10:59 PM by Andrew

I'm sorry to have to say this. I love many wines that fall in this category, I have many friends that produce or import said wines ... but for me the Super Tuscans are the most overrated category there is right now.
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Incredibly Over-Rated Wines Part I

Posted 01/25/2008 at 10:57 PM by Rachel

I think California Cabernets are overrated. We all know there are Cabernet staples in California and rightfully so.
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Super Popular (And With Good Reason)

Posted 01/22/2008 at 10:55 PM by Jeremy

2005 is going to go down as one of the most historic vintages for France this century. The wines coming from Bordeaux are unlike any vintage ever produced, full, rich, loaded with fruit and earth and extremely age worthy.
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And Get Some Prosecco too

Posted 01/20/2008 at 10:53 PM by Rachel

Prosecco really should be more popular. This dry sparkling grape from the Veneto is not given the respect that it deserves. A glass of Prosecco is a great way to start a Sunday brunch either by itself or as a Bellini or Mimosa. It is also a perfect apertivo to be served as an alternative to a cocktail. It's not expensive and it tastes great.
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Buy 2001 Barolo

Posted 01/16/2008 at 10:52 PM by Jeremy

The 2001 Barolos had the misfortune of coming on the heels of the 2000 vintage from Piedmont. So what you say? Well, the leading Italian wine critic from Wine Spectator, James Suckling, gave the vintage a perfect 100 points.
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Taste This!

Posted 01/14/2008 at 10:49 PM by Jeremy

Recently I've become really enamored with La Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion. For a second wine (that's a wine made with the grapes that are considered not quite good enough for the grand vin a winery produces) this wine really kicked ass.
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Wines That Deserve More Love

Posted 01/11/2008 at 10:44 PM by Andrew

Here at Zachys we've been debating which region is the most underrated wine country. My vote is for the Adriatic Coast of Italy - there are fantastic wines being produced in The Marche, Abruzzi, Molise and Puglia.
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Recent Finds

Posted 01/10/2008 at 10:41 PM by Rachel

A wine that made me really happy recently was a 2000 Chinon "Cuvee des Tireaux," Olek-Mery, Loire Valley. During a recent dinner out with my family I selected this bottle of red to go along with our entrees. Chinon produces white, rose and red, and this particular red is produced of Cabernet Franc predominately and Cabernet Sauvignon. 2000 was a solid vintage for Cab Franc in the Loire.
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Woof!

Posted 01/07/2008 at 10:36 PM by David

A few months ago, I was on my annual trip to Italy, specifically in Piedmont. Now most people know that Piedmont is best remembered for the big and bold Nebbiolo grape that produces Barolo and Barbaresco. But the one grape that seems to have the tendency to fly under the radar is Dolcetto d'Alba ...
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About the Authors

Rachel Imbrogno

Rachel Imbrogno grew up in an Italian-American household where Italian red wine was part of every dinner. Working at Zachys has broadened her horizons and deepened her respect for wines produced in other countries such as Argentina, Spain and Australia.

Andrew McMurray

Andrew McMurray is Zachys' expert on Italian and Spanish wines, as well as Champagne and Sparkling wines from around the world. For over ten years he has been sampling, buying and discovering wine gems.

Jeremy Noye

From farm boy to culinary student to sommelier, wine has led Jeremy Noye down some interesting paths. His specialty at Zachys is Bordeaux and the wines of Spain, but his interests include Burgundy, Rhone, Loire and Italy, to name a few.