Friday, May 29, 2009

New Class Schedule for June!

Our classes are fun, informative and are a great way to learn about wine, spirits and the wide world of beer. Classes at the "Merch" are taught by knowledgeable members of our Award-Winning Staff. Classes are single session events and six wines (or spirits, beers, etc.) are served based on the theme of each class. Tasty items from our Award-Winning Cheese Department are also included. Classes begin at 6:00 PM and end at 7:30 PM. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations. Sorry, no cancellations. Some restrictions apply. See store for details.

Sauce Magazine Says...
"If you want to learn about the taste, geography, history and use of wine for daily dining and social pleasure, there is no better place..."
-Sauce Magazine Reader's Poll 2006


Tuesday, June 2
Intro to Wine: France
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
France produces some of the finest wines and wine bargains. In this excellent class we'll introduce you to the wonderful world of French wine.
$20 per person

Thursday, June 4
Intro to Wine: Italy
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Italy is the world's largest producer of wine. In this introduction class we'll teach you the basics about Italian wine. Excellent class.
$20 per person

Friday, June 5
Intro to Wine: Spain
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Spain is at the cutting edge in the world of wine and has been producing both fine wines and wine bargains. In this class we'll show you some examples of both along with the history and geography of Spain's wine producing regions.
$20 per person

Saturday, June 6
Intro to Wine: USA
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
The Untied States is one of the leaders in the world of wine, especially when it comes to experimentation and innovation. In this introduction class we'll show you the basics about wine in America.
$20 per person

Tuesday, June 9
Best Buys Under $10
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Everyone loves a bargain and we stock a fine selection here at The Merch. In this fun, festive class we'll show you some tasty bargains from around the world that are priced under ten bucks.
$10 per person

Thursday, June 11
Intro to Wine & Cheese Pairing
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Wine and cheese make the perfect pair. But which cheeses match with which wines? We'll show you some important, classic pairings along with some examples that will open your eyes to new possibilities. Great class.
$35 per person

Friday, June 12
Pinot Noir in America
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
The Pinot Noir grape is responsible for the majestic red wines produced in France's Burgundy region. In this fine class we'll show you some of the finest examples of this fickle grape from the USA.
$30 per person

Saturday, June 13
The Next California Cult Wines
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
We have been instrumental in introducing to Missouri some of California's most sought after wines including such classics as Pride Mountain and Bryant Family Vineyards. In this class we'll show you some producers who we feel just might become the next big thing.
$40 per person

Tuesday, June 16
Wine & Asian Cuisine
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
In this fun class we'll pair tasty wines with appetizers from Mai Lee restaurant. Mai Lee makes delicious Vietnamese cuisine and we'll show you the perfect wines to go with it.
$35 per person

Thursday, June 18
France: Wonderful Wines from the Loire Valley
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
France's scenic Loire Valley is called the garden basket of France thanks to its abundant agricultural importance. Wines from the Loire remain great values and in this class we'll showcase the classics from some of the best importers.
$30 per person

Friday, June 19
Pacific Northwest: Oregon & Washington
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Oregon and Washington have come a long way in a relatively short time to produce world-class wines. Join us for this excellent class and experience a variety of tasty wines from the Pacific Northwest.
$35 per person

Saturday, June 20
World of Whiskey
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Our very own Dave Davis will lead you in this excellent class about the world of whiskey with excellent examples from around the world being featured.
$35 per person

Tuesday, June 23
Importer Profile: Bobby Kacher
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
We feel that by following certain wine importers you can simplify the complexities of imported wines. Our good friend Bobby Kacher imports to the States some of France's finest wines from small, family-owned estates. Great class!
$30 per person

Thursday, June 25
Importer Profile: Kermit Lynch
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Importer Kermit Lynch is considered the godfather of the small importer movement and has influenced some of the finest importers today. He's still at it and we proudly stock some of his fine selections from France.
$30 per person

Friday, June 26
France: Bordeaux!
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
France's Bordeaux region produces white and red wines of world class quality. We'll show you some classic examples along with a few surprises too.
$40 per person

Saturday, June 27
Spain: Affordable Luxury
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Spain produces some amazing wine bargains and we feel that prices in general have not caught up with the quality. It's a buyer's market in the Spanish wine world and in this class we'll show you some stunning wines that offer great value. Affordable luxury!
$30 per person

Tuesday, June 30
Best Buys Under $25
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
In this class we'll show off some amazing wine values that are priced under $25. The selections will impress you with their excellent quality/price rapport.
$25 per person

Meet Winemaker Anthony Bell from Bell Wine Cellars


Winemaker Tasting with Bell Wine Cellar's Anthony Bell
Wednesday, June 3rd
6:00-7:30pm
Call 314.863.6282 for more information.


The Wine Merchant is pleased to welcome back winemaker Anthony Bell from Bell Vineyards located in Yountville, in the heart of Napa Valley.
Anthony was
assistant winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyard, where he was responsible for many of the George de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. In 1989, Bell was named general manager of the esteemed wine estate. He successfully defined the Carneros Region as a viticultural appellation In 1994, along with two partners, he established Rutherford Benchmarks, a portfolio of wine estates that includes Bell Wine Cellars, and other wineries. He resigned from Rutherford Benchmarks in 2000 to devote his attention exclusively to his own winery. Anthony will be pouring wines from his portfolio and answering your wine questions. There will be special pricing for the evening's selections. Here's what's being featured:

2007 Sauvignon Blanc Lake County $14.99

2008 Rose Sierra Foothills $14.99

2006 Syrah Sierra Foothills $29.99

2005 Claret Napa Valley $32.99

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley "Clone 6" $69.99

Friday, May 22, 2009

Schlafly Beer and Cheese Tasting


Schlafly Beer and Cheese Tasting
8 p.m. Wednesday June 3rd, 2009
in the Eliot Room at the Schlafly Tap Room


Stephen Hale, Schlafly brewmaster extraordinare & Adam Smith, the Merch's beloved cheesemonger will be holding a beer & cheese tasting at the Schlafly Tap Room. We've been doing these tastings with the great folks at Schlafly for a number of years and they have been very successful and fun. This tasting will be focusing on great artisnal cheeses from cheesemakers from all over the U.S. paired with some of the best microbrews in the Midwest. Here's the tasting lineup for the evening's festivities:

1) Dortmunder-Paired with the Carmody, Cow's Milk Cheese from Bellweather Farms, California

2) Hefeweizen-Paired with the Tumbleweed Cow's Milk Cheese from 5 Spoke Creamery. New York

3)Pale Ale-Paired with Osage Orange, Goat's Milk Cheese from Goatsbeard Farms. Missouri

4)Oatmeal Stout-Paired with the Vella Bear Dry Jack Cow's Milk Cheese from Vella Cheese Co., California

5)American Pale Ale-Paired with the Humboldt Fog Goat's Milk Cheese from Cypress Grove Dairy, California

6)Biere de Garde-Paired with the Menuet Cow's Milk Cheese from Dancing Cow Creamery in Vermont and the Cabot Clothbound Cheddar Cow's Milk Cheese from Cabot Creamery, Vermont

$15 per person for six beer & cheese pairings.
Tickets are available through the Schlafly website: www.schlafly.com

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Meet Cedarville Vineyard's Jonathan Lachs!


California Tasting with Cedarville Vineyard
Monday, May 18th
5:30-7:00pm

The Wine Merchant is pleased to welcome back our friend and all-around good guy, Jonathan Lachs co-owner of Cedarville Vineyard, located in the Sierra Foothills. We at the Merch have been big supporters of their wines and always enjoy having Jonathan come and taste wine with our customers. Here's what the Wine Advocate's Robert Parker has said about Cedarville: "In less than a decade, this winery has managed to produce some very tasty wines offered at intriguing prices. They are well-made, reasonably priced, delicious efforts that never disappoint." There will be special pricing on Cedarville wines being poured. Here's what wines we'll be featuring:


2007 Zinfandel $20.99

2007 Viognier $24.99

2006 Petite Sirah $25.99

2006 Syrah $25.99

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon $25.99

Call 314.863.6282 for more information.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

California Tasting with EOS Wines


California Tasting with EOS Wines
Weds, May 13th
6:00-7:30 pm

Please join us as we welcome to Henry Vasquez from Sapphire Brands & EOS Wines to the Wine Merchant. EOS Estate Wines is located in in California's Paso Robles region, one of the rising wine regions in the state. Henry will be talking about and pouring selections from their portfolio and answering your wine questions. There will be sale pricing on all featured wines that evening. Here's what's being featured:

2007 Estate Sauvignon Blanc $13.99

2007 Estate Chardonnay $13.99

2006 Estate Petite Sirah $14.99

2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $14.99

2005 Red Blend "French Connection" $22.99

2006 Late Harvest Moscato "Tears of Dew" $19.99

Monday, May 4, 2009

Scotch Tasting with the Tullibardine Distillery



Single Malt Scotch Tasting with the Tullibardine Distillery
Saturday, May 16th
5:30pm-7:00pm


Join us as we welcome James Robertson, export manager from the Tullibardine Distillery based in the Highlands. Tullibardine Distillery nestles at the foot of the Ochil Hills in Perthshire, where the Highlands of Scotland begin. These hills are renowned for the crystal purity of their spring water. James will be pouring the single malts, talking about the distillery and scotch in general and also answering your questions. Here's what's being poured:

Tullibardine 1993 Vintage Single Malt 43% abv $57.99

Tullibardine 1992 Vintage Single Malt $72.99

Plus other surprise malts to be announced!

Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations
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Friday, May 1, 2009

Upcoming Tastings

Saturday Tasting with Importer Premier Cru Wines
The Wine Merchant, Ltd.
20 South Hanley in Clayton
Saturday, May 2
Noon until 4:00 PM
Please call 314.863.6282 for more information.
Join us as we welcome Keith Harrick from local importer and distributor, Premier Cru Wines as he pours wines from their extensive portfolio. Keith will be featuring wines from around the globe and sharing his wine knowledge of these fine wines. We'll have special pricing on the wines too. Here's what we're pouring this Saturday in Clayton...

2008 Susana Balbo "Crios" Torrontes $13.99
2007 Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc $16.99
2006 Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon "815" $16.99
2007 Yalumba Shiraz/Viognier $16.99
2006 Alvaro Palacios Petalos Bierzo $22.99

Australian Wine Tasting with Gemtree Wines
The Wine Merchant, Ltd.
20 South Hanley in Clayton
Wednesday, May 6
6:00 PM until 7:30 PM
Please call 314.863.6282 for more information.
Join us as we welcome Michael Crosby, National Brand Manager for Australia's Gemtree Wines to The Merch. Michael will be on hand Wednesday, May 6 to pour the exciting wines from Gemtree and to share his knowledge of the Australian wine industry. Gemtree has received rave reviews in Australia, New Zealand and the UK and also from Robert Parker's prestigious Wine Advocate, Steve Tanzer's critically-acclaimed International Wine Cellar, The Wine Spectator and Wine & Spirits Magazine. There will also be special pricing for the Gemtree wines featured at this event. Here are the selections for this excellent tasting...

2007 Shiraz "Tadpole" $14.99 (90/100 The Wine Spectator)
2007 Chardonnay "Citrine" $17.99
2007 Shiraz/Viognier "Bloodstone" $17.99
2006 Red Blend "Tatty Road" $20.99
2008 Albarino "Moonstone" $21.99
2005 Shiraz "Uncut" $26.99

Saturday Tasting with with Audelssa Estate Winery
The Wine Merchant, Ltd.
20 South Hanley in Clayton
Saturday, May 9
1:00 PM until 4:00 PM
Please call 314.863.6282 for more information.
We are pleased to announce a special tasting on Saturday, May 9th with Joan Sayler, managing director for Sonoma's Audelssa Estate Winery. Located in Glen Ellen, the winery was established in 2003. All the wines are small production and are made by winemaker Erich Bradley, who also makes wine for Sojourn, another California boutique winery. Joan will be pouring their selections and answering your questions. Here's what's being featured...

2006 Audelssa Estate Tephra (Cabernet/Syrah/Zinfandel blend) $24.99
2006 Audelssa Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $32.99
2006 Audelssa Estate Meritage Blend "Summit" $45.99
-Rated 91/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Joan will also preview the 2006 Reserve Cabernet which will be released in October 2009. The previous vintage received a 93/100 rating from Robert Parker in The Wine Advocate. This special reserve wine will be available at a pre-arrival sale price.