Special Edition Classes

Excellent Bonus Sessions
In addition to our regular schedule of classes we offer special sessions when the opportunity arises. We have one this Wednesday featuring wines from France's Northern Rhone Valley. Here are the details...


Special Edition Class
France's Northern Rhone Valley
The Wine Merchant, Ltd.
20 South Hanley Road in Clayton
Wednesday, March 3
6:00 PM until 7:30 PM
Cost $70.00 per person
Call 314.863.6282 for reservations
This Wednesday (3/3) we have an exciting Special Edition Class featuring wines from the Northern Rhone Valley in France. There are a variety of styles and the best appellations produce elegant, complex wines that are truly, world class. We have a stunning lineup of wines that are sure to dazzle you. Here they are atsale prices for the event and reviews from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (WA) and The International Wine Cellar (IWC)...

2008 Auguste Clape Saint-Peray Blanc On Sale $35.99
2008 Saint Cosme Condrieu On Sale $72.99 (91 IWC)
2007 Perret Saint Joseph On Sale $32.99
2007 Auguste Clape Cornas On Sale $89.99 (90-92 WA)
2005 Michel Ogier Cote-Rotie "Belle Helene" On Sale $179.99 (94-96 WA)
2004 Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge On Sale $199.99 (95 IWC)

Special Edition Wine Class

Classic Guigal Rhones with Importer Patrick Will
Tuesday, February 9
The Wine Merchant, Ltd.
20 South Hanley Road in Clayton
$25 per person
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations...
We hope that you can join us for this special edition wine class featuring the wines from Marcel Guigal in France's Rhone Valley. Patrick Will, who's company Ex Cellars imports Guigal's wines to the USA is our guest speaker for this exciting event. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Here are the wines for the class...

2006 Guigal Cotes du Rhone ("Best Buy" Wine Advocate)
2005 Guigal Gigondas (91-93/100 Wine Advocate)
2005 Guigal Chateauneuf du Pape (93/100 Wine Advocate)
2007 Guigal Condrieu "Doriane" (95/100 Wine Advocate)
2005 Guigal Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde (92/100 Wine Advocate)
2003 Guigal Hermitage (94/100 Wine Advocate)

"There are many admirable things about Marcel Guigal, but most significant is that he has been a qualitative locomotive that has brought attention to the Rhone Valley, and has raised the quality bar for the entire region. More importantly, he realizes that most consumers will have access only to his least expensive wines from the Cotes du Rhone, so he has made every effort to continue to increase the quality of both his white and red Cotes du Rhones. His Cotes du Rhone whites have jumped in quality as he has settled on a general blend of approximately 50% Viognier and the rest Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, and Grenache Blanc." -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Special Tasting with 7 Seas Beverage
The Wine Merchant, Ltd.
20 South Hanley Road in Clayton
Tuesday, February 9
5:30 PM until 7:00 PM
Please call 314.863.6282 for information...
We're pouring new releases on Tuesday (2/9) from a favorite local supplier: 7 Seas Beverage. They're focused on small wineries, family-owned-and-operated farms and soon-to-be-famous, underrated producers. Wines that are usually great deals with prices not influenced by reviews from the critics, magazines, etc. Stop by our original location on Tuesday for this fun tasting of wines with soul, baby! Here's the lineup...

2008 McManis Viognier On Sale $9.99
2006 Dante Bonarda Mendoza On Sale $10.99
2006 Pargua Roman Numeral ll Maipo Valley On Sale $17.99 (91 WA)
2006 Pairaso Saint Lucia On Sale $16.99
2005 B Cellars Blend 25 Cabernet/Syrah Napa Valley On Sale $45.99 (91 WA)

Friday Tasting: Marquis Philips Sarah's Blend
Friday, February 5
The Wine Merchant, Ltd.
20 South Hanley Road in Clayton
5:30 PM until 7:00 PM
Please call 314.863.6282 for information...
We're only tasting one wine on Friday but boy what a wine! Stop by the shop and sample the new, highly-rated '08 Sarah's Blend from Australia's Marquis Philips. Sarah's Blend has a stunning track record with raves from the critics. Taste it with us Friday and you'll see the amazingly high quality of this fine Aussie value.

2008 Marquis Philips "Sarah's Blend"
On Sale $11.99
Compare to The Wine Advocate's Price of $15.00
"...assorted black fruits lead to a full-bodied, already complex, rich wine with loads of ripe fruit. The finish is long, smooth, and filled with flavor." -Rated 91/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Saturday Tasting: New Releases from Classique Wine & Spirits
Saturday, February 6
The Wine Merchant, Ltd.
20 South Hanley Road in Clayton
Noon until 4:00 PM
Please call 314.863.6282 for information...
Stop by the shop this Saturday for a tasting of new releases from Classique Wine & Spirits. Classique's Ramona Marten joins us on Saturday to sample some tasty new releases from California, France and Washington State. Here are the wines for Saturday along with sale prices for the tasting.

2007 Domaine Capitaine "Les Aumones" Vouvray On Sale $14.99
2007 Twenty Rows Napa Cabernet Sauvignon On Sale $17.99
2006 Tilda "Petulance" Syrah/Grenache Columbia Valley On Sale $17.99
2005 Chateau La Blanque Grand Cru St. Emillon On Sale $22.99
2005 Domaine Raspail-Ay Gigondas On Sale $36.99 (90 WS)

Artisan Chocolate Tasting
Sunday, February 7
The Wine Merchant, Ltd.
20 South Hanley Road in Clayton
1:00 PM until 3:00 PM
Please call 314.863.6282 for information
Join us on Sunday, February 7 for a tasting of artisan chocolate just in time for Valentine's Day. We carry a fine selection from some of the best makers on the planet. Our Cheesemonger, Simon Lehrer, will be your guide for this open house event. It's FREE and will open your eyes (taste buds too) to the incredible world of artisan chocolate. Here are just a few that we'll be tasting...

Pralus, France
Francois Pralus has cacao plantations from Sao Tome to Venezuela. He personally selects the finest beans from the best plantations.These cacao beans are grown with great care then harvested, fermented, roasted and transformed into chocolate in his hometown of Roanne, France. Each selection is 75% cacao bean (rich and dark) from a single country of origin. Stunning quality that represents the finest cacao growing regions.

Blanxart, Spain
Blanxart is an artisan chocolate producer with humble beginnings in Barcelona, Spain in 1954. A small family started the company by making bon bons which they sold locally. They hand-selected cacao beans and combined them with local ingredients and a commitment to produce the highest quality. This quality commitment continues to this day with an integrity that seems almost lost in a world of discounters and cheap, low quality products. The texture of Blanxart's chocolates is somewhat rustic and the flavors are rich, full-bodied and unique. We love to pair them with a glass of full-bodied red wine.

Michel Cluizel, France
Cluizel has been making artisan chocolate in France since 1948. Our Cluizel selections include single origins and some with flavors. If we had to pick just one chocolate producer this would be it. Thankfully we don't! Stop by the shop for this special event and taste some of the best chocolates around.

Special Tasting with 7 Seas Beverage The Wine Merchant, Ltd. 20 South Hanley Road in Clayton Tuesday, February 9 5:30 PM until 7:00 PM Please call 314.863.6282 for information... We're pouring new releases on Tuesday (2/9) from a favorite local supplier: 7 Seas Beverage. They're focused on small wineries, family-owned-and-operated farms and soon-to-be-famous, underrated producers. Wines that are usually great deals with prices not influenced by reviews from the critics, magazines, etc. Stop by our original location on Tuesday for this fun tasting of wines with soul, baby! Here's the lineup... 2008 McManis Viognier On Sale $9.99 2006 Dante Bonarda Mendoza On Sale $10.99 2006 Pargua Roman Numeral ll Maipo Valley On Sale $17.99 (91 WA) 2006 Pairaso Saint Lucia On Sale $16.99 2005 B Cellars Blend 25 Cabernet/Syrah Napa Valley On Sale $45.99 (91 WA)

Classes

Wine Merchant Classes
Current Schedule
Classes at The Merch are fun and informative and a great way to learn about wine. Our classes are taught by members of our Award-Winning Staff which includes Sommeliers, Certified Sommeliers, Certified Wine Educators and knowledgeable, wine industry veterans. Here is a list of current classes along with a link to our complete class schedule.

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

Wine & Cheese Pairing: French Classics
Friday, February 5
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations
This excellent class will teach you about the magical pairing of French wine and cheese. Ooh, la, la!
$35 per person

California Cabs
Saturday, February 6
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations
Great class for lovers of rich, bold Cabs from the Golden State.
$35 per person

Special Tasting: Elizabeth Spencer Wines

Thursday, January 28
The Wine Merchant, Ltd.
20 South Hanley Road in Clayton
5:30 PM until 7:00 PM
Please call 314.863.6282 for information
We cordially invite you to join us Thursday evening (1/28) for a special tasting with Elizabeth Spencer Wines. This California winery is producing small quantities of high quality wines that are currently under the radar of most wine critics. Stop by the shop on Thursday and you can see for yourself. Here's a list of the wines for the tasting with special sale prices for the event and a few reviews. Check 'em out...

2008 Elizabeth Spencer Wines Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino
On Sale $16.99
"The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc is Loire Valley in style. It offers magnificent aromas of ripe melon, citrus and pear with a rich leesy mouth feel and excellent fruit concentration on the palate. It is elegant and well balanced with good natural acidity and a long lasting finish. Only 1,500 cases produced. Certified organic." -Rated 90/100 i-winereview.com

2007 Elizabeth Spencer Wines Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
On Sale $24.99
"This is a lovely Chardonnay, rich and flavorful with ripe tropical fruit and pear flavors and toasty oak. Meursault-like in character, the wine offers elegance and power on the palate with rich mouth feel, excellent balance, and crisp flavors on the finish. Fermented in stainless steel and 2-3year old oak barrels. Just 100 barrels produced." -Rated 91/100 i-winereview.com

2007 Elizabeth Spencer Wines Grenache Sonoma Coast
On Sale $20.99
"Dark ruby garnet with aromas of very ripe black cherry fruit and notes of black pepper, almond and caramel. Soft, round and pure with toasty oak and round tannins on a long finish. Destemmed and fermented in small open-top fermenters with native yeast. Only 1,000 cases made. Sourced from vineyards just east of Ukiah." -Rated 89/100 i-winereview.com

2007 Elizabeth Spencer Wines Syrah Sonoma Coast
On Sale $24.99
"The 2006 Syrah has an opaque purple hue and aromas of plum, black olive and cracked pepper. On the palate it is ripe and fruity with rich dark plum flavors, good acidity, firm soft round tannins, and a tasty finish. This winery's Syrah has been one of our favorites over the years. 750 cases produced." -Rated 91/100 i-winereview.com

2007 Elizabeth Spencer Wines Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
On Sale $29.99
"This is a lovely Pinot Noir that seems closer to Burgundy than to much of the Pinot Noir made in California today. Ruby garnet in color, it displays aromas of pure cherry liquor and beautifully integrated toasty oak. It is ripe, round and delicate with a silky smooth mouth feel and long finish. Fermented in small open-top fermenters after a week-long cold soak." -Rated 92/100 i-winereview.com

2007 Elizabeth Spencer Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
On Sale $29.99
"Ruby in color with delicious cassis and red fruit aromas. High toned, elegant and smooth with beautiful fruit flavors and notes of spice and cigar box. The flavors are clean and pure with elegance and finesse. Drinking well today. 2,300 cases produced." -Rated 90/100 i-winereview.com

Rhone Valley Wine Dinner
Liluma Restaurant
238 North Euclid in the Central West End
Thursday, January 28, 2010
7:00 PM
$95 per person (plus tax and tip)
Please call 314.361.7771 for reservations and information...
We'd like to inform you about an exciting wine dinner featuring Rhone Valley gems from some of the top producers at Liluma Restaurant in the CWE. This special event on Thursday, January 28 will feature a 5 course meal with stunning Rhone Valley wines complimenting each course. Seating is limited for this wine dinner and each table will have a Rhone Valley winemaker seated with the guests enriching the experience with their wisdom and knowledge. Here are the Rhone Valley producers who are participating in this special wine dinner at Liluma.

Domaine Lafond
Chateau Fortia
Le Vieux Donjon
Domaine de la Charbonniere
Domaine Boisson - (Cairanne)
Domaine Moulin-Tacussel
Clos de Gamot (Cahors)

Here is the menu and a list of featured wines:
First Course
Chicken "Pot Au Feu"
Greenwood Farms Chicken
Root Vegetables
Domaine Lafond 2008 Lirac Blanc

Second Course
Rabbit Pate
Sunrise Farm American Blue Rabbit
Cherries
Chateau de la Charbonnieres 2007 Vacqueyras
Clos de Gamot 2007 Cahors

Third Course
Roasted Duck Breast
Red Wine poached egg
Frisee Salad
Duck Stock Reduction
Chateau Fortia 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Fourth Course
Grassfed Strip Steak
Rain Crow Ranch Grassfed Beef
Pommes Puree
Marrow Gratin
Wine Jus
Le Vieux Donjon 2004 Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Domaine Moulin Tacussel 2001 Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Dessert
Salted Caramel Shortbread With Ganache

A Taste of Washington Wine Dinner

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant
17 West County Center
Des Peres, MO 63131
Friday February 5, 2010
$75 per person (plus tax and tip)
Call 314.835.1300 for reservations and information...

We have info on another exciting wine dinner for you. This wine dinner features delicious wines from Washington State producers and takes place on Friday, February 5 at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant in Des Peres. Seating is limited and reservations are required.

Here is the menu with the featured wines...

2008 Hedges CMS White, Columbia Valley
Roasted Pepper and Herb Goat Cheese Crostini

2008 Amavi Cellars Semillon,Walla Walla Valley
Pan Seared Diver Sea Scallop Braised Leeks, Fennel and Lemon EVOO

2007 Independent Producers Merlot, Columbia Valley
Pan Roasted Colorado Striped Bass Cipollini Onion and Ozark Forest Mushroom Broth and Braised Fingerling Potatoes

2006 Amavi Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley
Peppered Ahi Tuna Hinkle's Handcrafted Smoked Venison Sausage and Braised Cabbage

2005 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
Braised Beef Short Rib with Maytag Blue Cheese Polenta

2007 Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
Bittersweet Chocolate Bread Pudding Washington State Sun- Dried Cherry Cabernet Sauce

Artisan Chocolate Tasting
Sunday, February 7
The Wine Merchant, Ltd.
20 South Hanley Road in Clayton
1:00 PM until 3:00 PM
Please call 314.863.6282 for information
Join us on Sunday, February 7 for a tasting of artisan chocolate just in time for Valentine's Day. We carry a fine selection from some of the best makers on the planet. Our Cheesemonger, Simon Lehrer, will be your guide for this open house event. It's FREE and will open your eyes (taste buds too) to the incredible world of artisan chocolate. Here are just a few that we'll be tasting...

Pralus, France
Francois Pralus has cacao plantations from Sao Tome to Venezuela. He personally selects the finest beans from the best plantations.These cacao beans are grown with great care then harvested, fermented, roasted and transformed into chocolate in his hometown of Roanne, France. Each selection is 75% cacao bean (rich and dark) from a single country of origin. Stunning quality that represents the finest cacao growing regions.

Blanxart, Spain
Blanxart is an artisan chocolate producer with humble beginnings in Barcelona, Spain in 1954. A small family started the company by making bon bons which they sold locally. They hand-selected cacao beans and combined them with local ingredients and a commitment to produce the highest quality. This quality commitment continues to this day with an integrity that seems almost lost in a world of discounters and cheap, low quality products. The texture of Blanxart's chocolates is somewhat rustic and the flavors are rich, full-bodied and unique. We love to pair them with a glass of full-bodied red wine.

Michel Cluizel, France
Cluizel has been making artisan chocolate in France since 1948. Our Cluizel selections include single origins and some with flavors. If we had to pick just one chocolate producer this would be it. Thankfully we don't! Stop by the shop for this special event and taste some of the best chocolates around.

Wine Merchant Classes

Current Schedule
Classes at The Merch are fun and informative and a great way to learn about wine. Our classes are taught by members of our Award-Winning Staff which includes Sommeliers, Certified Sommeliers, Certified Wine Educators and knowledgeable, wine industry veterans. Here is a list of current classes along with a link to our complete class schedule.

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

South America's Best Bargains: Argentina!
Tuesday, January 26
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations
Wines from South America are dominated by two countries: Argentina and Chile. We feel that Argentina leads the way and is making the finest wines in South America. Malbecs from Argentina seem to get all the limelight and attention from the press but Argentina has had great success with other grapes too. Join us for this session and we'll show you some fine red and white wine bargains from Argentina!
$20 per person

Charcuterie & Salumi: The Art of Cured Meat
Thursday, January 28
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations
Curing is an ancient way of preserving meat that's still used in our high tech world. We carry some truly great examples from some of the finest producers on the planet. We'll show you some tasty wines that will compliment our class offerings too. Our kind of fast food!
$35 per person

Dave's World Whiskey Tour
Friday, January 29
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations
We have one of the finest selections of whisky (whiskey) in the Midwest with a house style and price range for everyone. Our top spirit guru, Mr. Dave Davis will guide you on a tour of the world's whiskeys in this excellent class All aboard!
$25 per person

Graceful Tuscan Reds
Saturday, January 30
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations
Italy's Tuscany region produces amazing red wines that are coveted by collectors. They're intense and complex but there's a stylish sophistication to them too. In this class we'll focus on graceful examples that have made Tuscany famous.
$40 per person

Layer Cake... Amazing Under $15 Reds

Serious Quality, Great Values
We have some amazing bargains arriving this week from a very interesting project called Layer Cake. These wines deliver high quality at bargain prices and they've received rave reviews from wine critic Robert Parker. We're offering them at discounted prices and we're taking advance orders so you can secure some of these exciting, bargain-priced gems. We do anticipate that our allocation of Layer Cake wines will sell out fast so please act quickly on this special offer.

"First and foremost, there are three great value wines I tasted which didn't make it into the recently released "Parker's Wine Bargains: The World's Best Wine Values Under $25.00," published by Simon and Schuster in November, 2009. They come from the proprietor of Hundred Acre Vineyard in Napa, Jayson Woodbridge. Of course, his Hundred Acres wines sell for well in excess of $200 and get great reviews from me, but the Hundred Acre Cabernets are very limited in its production. Woodbridge's desire is to produce a $15 wine that tastes like a $50+ wine, and as hard as it might be to believe, he seems to have come very close to succeeding with the following three efforts, all called "Layer Cake." They are all screw-cap finished, so there will never be a cork issue, and there are about 20,000 cases of each one of them. They all sell at the remarkable price of $15 a bottle. With the glut of high-quality grapes available in California, Woodbridge also produces a Cabernet Sauvignon from the North Coast, and if it is as good as these three wines and priced the same, it will be another fabulous value." -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

2007 Layer Cake Primitivo IGT
(Italy, Puglia)
On Sale $13.99
"The most rustic of these three wines, with lots of pepper, roasted herbs, meat juices, charcoal, and scorched earth, this spicy wine has an inky ruby/purple color and lots of body. It comes across like a rustic Zinfandel, but with loads of character and personality, displaying an almost savage intensity to its flavors. This is a wild, adventuresome wine that should drink nicely for several years. Bring on the pizza! " -Rated 89/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

2008 Layer Cake Shiraz
(South Australia)
On Sale $13.99
"This was not an easy vintage in Australia, but you would never know it from this wine. As one expects from any South Australian Shiraz, it has oodles of fruit, a big, thick, juicy mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and lots of crème de cassis, blackberry, peppery, and tarlike notes in a deep, full-bodied, lush style that should drink nicely for 3-4 years as well." -Rated 90/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

2008 Layer Cake Malbec
(Argentina, Mendoza)
On Sale $13.99
"Dense purple-colored with notes of blackberry, earth, roasted meats, and a hint of barbecue spice, this wine exhibits great fruit, delicious, full-bodied texture, silky tannins, and a long finish. It does taste more like a $30-50 bottle of Malbec than one that can be purchased for $15. It should drink nicely for at least 2-3 years." -Rated 91/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

"Keep in mind that what Jayson Woodbridge is doing is taking his winemaking team from Hundred Acre Vineyard, flying them around the world, and actually making these wines on site from top quality fruit. It is an innovative project, to say the least, but the proof is in the bottle, as they say, and at $15, readers are going to be exceptionally pleased with the quality of all three of these wines." -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Rare Ravenswood Zinfandels

Dazzling Reds from a Zin Master
We have in stock, some rare, single vineyard bottlings from Zin Master Joel Peterson at Ravenswood in Sonoma County. These are ageworthy, complex, intense wines that should not be confused with the widely available, low end Zins from Ravenswood. These stunning '07s are getting rave reviews from the critics too. Quantities are limited. Please act quickly.

"...they easily compete with some of the best wines produced not only in California, but in the world." -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

2007 Ravenswood Zinfandel "Big River Vineyard"
On Sale $29.99
"Deep ruby. Expansive aromas of cassis, cherry compote, black olive and minerals remind me a lot of the Rhone. Fleshy red and dark berry flavors are complicated by floral pastille and cola qualities and betray no rough edges. Alluringly sappy and pure, with excellent finishing clarity and sweet persistence. For a zin, this is almost shockingly graceful." -Rated 92/100 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

2007 Ravenswood Zinfandel "Dickerson Vineyard"
On Sale $31.49
"This wine has always seemed to have a bit more flesh on its bones than most of its mates, and it does again in this vintage. Its ripe blackberry and minerally, soil nuances in its aromas are repeated in flavors that are carried across the palate by the wine's supple, somewhat fleshy texture, and if balancing acidity is never far from the scene, so too is a bit of viscosity not to be missed. Firm but not stiff at the end, this one promises to smooth out with three or four years in bottle." -Rated 93/100 Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine

2007 Ravenswood Zinfandel "Teldeschi Vineyard"
On Sale $31.49
"Nicely ripened blackberry first aromas are comfortably filled out by suggestions of red cherries, sweet oak, a touch of caramel and spicy background notes. Full-bodied on the palate with its suppleness running to a bit of flesh, but balanced quite well, this wine tightens up and finds structure figuring prominently in its latter half. Expect four to six years of growth at a minimum. It is made in the classic, sweet-berry, light spice mold of the Dry Creek Valley and is bound to entertain all but the most power hungry Zin fans." -Rated 95/100 Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine

2007 Ravenswood Zinfandel "Old Hill Ranch Vineyard"
On Sale $49.99
"A throwback to another era, this venerable vineyard with its blend of Zinfandel and other varieties has been producing big, rich, deep wines for decades-and this dramatic effort from 2007 is one of the best. It has typically separated itself from its siblings by being the least open of the bunch, and here again, it is not particularly outgoing in aroma but starts with the blackberry focus of the variety and adds layers of rich, complex notes of cocoa, black plums and raspberry preserves and follows through on the palate with tight somewhat polished, balanced flavors that run headlong into the expected edge of astringency at the end. This powerful effort is one to lay away for up to a decade in complete confidence." -Rated 96/100 Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine

Cheese Corner

Cheese, We Do It Right...

Cut & Wrapped Fresh to Your Order!
We're proud of our Award Winning Cheese Department. Our staff is passionate and knowledgeable about the delicious products that we offer. We stock over 200 classic and artisan cheeses along with other delicious foods from around the World. We cut and wrap our cheeses fresh to order which delivers the highest quality while reducing waste. Our fresh cut approach also allows you to purchase as much or as little as you like. We offer FREE samples too, so you can taste before you buy! Stop by and see why the Riverfront Times calls us the "Best Place to Buy Cheese."

Cheese Expert Steve Jenkins
"When it comes to buying cheese, the biggest favor you can do yourself is to find a reliable, impassioned cheesemonger and benefit from his or her knowledge each time when you go shopping for cheese. Always taste before buying...a fresh-cut cheese always tastes better than a pre-cut, plastic wrapped one." -Steve Jenkins, Author of The Cheese Primer

Parmigiano-Reggiano $12.99/lb
Cut and Wrapped Fresh to Your Order!
"Parmigiano-Reggiano is a classic cheese that's versatile in the kitchen and at table. It's one of our favorite wine tasting cheeses too as it doesn't coat your palate and interfere with the flavors and texture of wine. We love to serve this with full-bodied Italian reds or a glass of Champagne. We urge customers to purchase Parmigiano-Reggiano in bulk (hunks, wedges, etc.) for snacking or garnishing pasta dishes, soups and salads. We highly recommend grating it fresh as pre-grated cheese tends to dry out and lose it's character quickly. Freshly grated cheese always tastes better. We have one of the best prices around on this Italian classic and we'll prove our Parm's quality with a FREE sample. Stop by the shop and see for yourself." -Simon Lehrer, Cheesemonger, The Wine Merchant, Ltd.

Wine Merchant Classes

Fun & Informative

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

Classes at The Merch are fun and informative and a great way to learn about wine. Our classes are taught by members of our Award-Winning Staff which includes several Sommeliers, Certified Sommeliers and Certified Wine Educators and knowledgeable, wine industry veterans. Here is a list of current classes along with a link for our complete class schedule.

Best Buys Under $15: USA
Tuesday, January 12
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Everyone loves a bargain and we stock a fine selection from around the world. In this class we'll show you some American wine bargains that can compete with the best values in the world.
$15 per person

Wine & Cheese Pairing; The Classics
Thursday, January 14
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
In this special wine and cheese pairing class we'll show you the most important, classic pairings that have survived fads and stood the test of time. We'll teach some of the science, geography and history of these classic culinary matches.
$35 per person

West Coast Pinot Noir
Friday, January 15
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
In this fine class we'll show you some of the finest examples of this fickle grape. Pinot Noir has experienced the best success on America's west coast with the best examples coming from some of California's coastal regions and Oregon's Willamette Valley. Learn about them here in our West Coast Pinot class!
$40 per person

More Amazing Spanish Bargains
Saturday, January 16
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Spain continues to produce some incredible bargain- priced wines. Just when we think that we've tasted most of the best examples we discover more of 'em! Join us in this class and we'll show you more amazing bargains from Spain.
$20 per person

Custom Wine Classes

Please call 314.863.6282 for information.
"We've been teaching classes since we opened for business in 1992. They're taught by our Award Winning Staff and are a great way to learn about the fascinating world of wine. In addition to our regular schedule we offer custom classes that can be tailored to your order and presented at our original location in Clayton. We're available outside of the shop for custom classes and tastings too. We can help with a casual 'intro to wine' party at your place in the country or give a presentation on rare wines from France's Burgundy region before an elegant dinner in your home. We can also travel to your office for a special event for important board members or your place of business for a corporate seminar involving hundreds of participants. We offer many possibilities with our custom tastings, special seminars and in-home events. Our calendar fills up quickly and we encourage you to secure times and dates for custom tastings as far in advance as possible. Please see store for details." -John Nash, The Wine Merchant, Ltd.

Cardiff Cellars $4.99
Excellent Values from California
These are really amazing wine values and perfectly balanced so they'll pair up with just about anything from the kitch. Cardiff wines are crowd pleasers, perfect for a large group, big family party, corporate event, etc.. Sometimes cheap wine just tastes cheap. These offer amazing quality at an affordable price and we think they're the best values around town. Check out what Sauce Magazine had to say...

Sauce Magazine on Cardiff Cellars
"Lots of super-cheap juice (remember, our limit is $6 a bottle) is bought on the bulk wine market and bottled with a goofy cartoony label (usually some cute mammal). The problem with this, though, is maintaining consistency and quality over time. Here are a couple of good finds without the cute label. All three of these California wines tasted like the varietals on the label - no small feat in the under $6 category. All are full of fresh aromas and hit the tongue with a splash of bursting fruit. The Cab has enough spice and backbone to accompany grilled meats while the Merlot is subtle and jammy, gliding across the palate with a silky finish. Once the Chard opened up a bit in the glass we got a nose full of crisp fruit and citrus, but not much oak, which is just how we like it..."
-Sauce Magazine

2008 Cardiff Cellars Chardonnay
On Sale $4.99
"This is really good. Fresh nose with notes of citrus and yellow apple. It's crisp and fruity on the palate with a snappy finish. No oak here baby. Cheap Chardonnay that actually tastes like Chardonnay. Hooray!"
-John Nash, The Wine Merchant, Ltd.

2008 Cardiff Cellars Merlot
On Sale $4.99
"Cardiff Cellars has quickly become one of our biggest sellers. We love the cheap and tasty Merlto. Plummy, purple color. Fresh nose of ripe cherries and black plums. It's silky and balanced on the palate like a good Merlot should be. The perfect crowd pleaser for your next big party."
-John Nash, The Wine Merchant, Ltd.

2008 Cardiff Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
On Sale $4.99
"Dark color. The nose smells like Cab should with notes of blackberry, plum and hints of cedar. It's rich, silky for a Cab and it ends with a chewy finish."
-John Nash, The Wine Merchant, Ltd.

Best Sellers Sale

Great Values Under $15
We take pride in the value priced wines that we have discovered and stock on a regular basis. We always taste before we select them and have found some incredible bargains. Some of these fine values are very recognizable others are a little off of the beaten path but offer just as much value, sometimes more. We These have passed our taste tests and offer great value.

2007 Protocolo Tinto
On Sale $7.99
"Deep, smoky aromas of cherry & dark berries, with notes of cracked pepper and black tea adding power; smells like an old school California Petite Sirah. Very rich & chewy, dominated by deep dark fruit flavors. Finishes with good grip, silky tannins and a persistent note of dark berries. An outstanding value."
-Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

2008 Protocolo Blanco
On Sale $7.99
"Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value."
-Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

NV Segura Viudas Cava Reserva Brut
On Sale $8.99
"Unexpectedly complex, this first hints at smoke, cocoa and dry spices, and that layering rolls into the taste as well. Forward, ripe apple fruitiness rises above a dry hint of apple skin, wrapping up in a citrus and mineral grip. Stylistically it's graceful..."
-Rated 92/100 Wine & Spirits Magazine

2007 Morro Bay Chardonnay "Split Oak Vineyard"
On Sale $10.99
"Here's a new arrival that's really tasty! This is a partially, barrel-fermented Chardonnay that combines ripe fruit and hints of toasty oak. A new staff favorite and a great deal."
-John Nash, The Wine Merchant, Ltd.

2008 Kendall Jackson Chardonnay
On Sale $10.99
"I've always been amazed at the high level of quality control at Kendall-Jackson. I mean they make a sea of their Vintners Reserve Chardonnay and it's surprisingly tasty and incredibly consistent year after year. We have a great price on the newly-released 2008."
-John Nash, The Wine Merchant, Ltd.

NV Segura Viudas Cava Brut Rosé
On Sale $10.99
"The best value among these sparklers is the non-vintage Brut Rose. Salmon pink-colored, it exhibits an attractive yeasty, strawberry-scented nose and crisp, fruity flavors. It has surprising length for its price point."
-Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2006 Morro Bay Cabernet Sauvignon
On Sale $12.99
"We're big fans of Morro Bay's Chardonnay. Not long after we discovered that tasty morsel it garnered a Best Buy in the Wine Spectator. We really like their Cab too. This isn't a typical Cali Cab. Aging in a mix of French and American oak barrels has tamed the beast. This is actually elegant and suave, sophisticated even, especially for it's price. Serve this with grilled flank steak, portabella mushrooms, lamb ka-bobs, grilled polenta topped with blue cheese and fresh tomato, etc."
-John Nash, The Wine Merchant, Ltd

2007 Dickson's Mill Zinfandel Sonoma County
On Sale $12.99
"Here's a fine bargain from California's Sonoma County! This darkly colored Zin is loaded with notes of crushed berries, brambly fruit and peppery spice. The finish is long and velvety."
-John Nash, The Wine Merchant, Ltd.

2007 Diseno Malbec Mendoza
On Sale $12.99
"We did a double-take when we first tasted this impressive Malbec from Argentina. Seems like Malbec from Argentina is all the rage but we're not impressed with most of the widely-distributed examples. This one "WOW'd" us with its dark, saturated color which seemed to coat our wine glass. The nose is rich, layered and complex with notes of black fruits and exotic spices. It really impressed us on the palate with a richness and silkiness that usually comes from a more expensive bottle. A new staff favorite."
-John Nash, The Wine Merchant, Ltd.

2008 Vega Sindoa Old Vine Grenache
On Sale $14.99
"Inky ruby. Exotically perfumed bouquet displays black raspberry, cherry compote, licorice and dark chocolate, plus a sexy floral overtone. Fresh, focused red and dark berry flavors are given depth by a note of bitter chocolate and framed by silky tannins. Finishes with very good clarity and mineral snap, with the black raspberry note repeating. Year in and out this is a superb value."
-Rated 90/100 Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Grey Goose Vodka
France's Finest On Sale
We have a great price for you on Grey Goose Vodka. This is one of the top brands worldwide with an incredible following and rave reviews from the critics. We were offered a special price from our supplier and we love to pass on the savings to our faithful customers. It's in stock but quantities are limited so please act quickly on this special offer.

Grey Goose Vodka
On Sale $27.99
"Made from the purest water from the Cognac region of France. The ultra smooth flavors and clean finish make Grey Goose perfect for martinis."
-Rated 96/100 The Beverage Tasting Institute

American Blues

Cut and Wrapped Fresh to Your Order!
We carry a stunning array of blue cheeses from around the world. We love the versatility that they offer. Blue cheeses are great for snacking, can dress up a salad, melt perfectly into a grilled burger or garnish a juicy pork chop. Here are some of our favorites blues from some of the top US producers. As always, stop by for a FREE sample.

Maytag Dairy Farms "Maytag Blue"
Cut and Wrapped Fresh to Your Order!
Yes, this is the Maytag family that has supplied America with major appliances. Down the road in Newton Iowa, from their appliance factory, they also own a dairy farm where they produce one of the finest blue cheeses in the United States. These cheeses are handmade from raw cow's milk and then aged in cellars carved directly into the side of a hill on the farm. This blue has a marvelous peppery flavor with a creamy texture that lingers on the palate. Serve this as a garnish to a mixed-greens salad or with fresh fruit and walnuts after dinner. Maytag Blue works well with soft, fruity red wines and, like most blue cheeses, really struts its stuff when served with a sweet, after dinner wine: Port, Sauternes, Muscat Beaume de Venise, etc. Stop by for a FREE sample.

The Rogue Creamery "Rogue River Blue"
Cut and Wrapped Fresh to Your Order!
The Rogue River Blue has a natural rind and the aging process imparts flavors from the Rogue River Valley. These naturally occurring molds from the Rogue River terroir impart flavors of wild ripened berries, hazelnuts and pears to this rich, creamy blue cheese American classic. To preserve this wheel it's wrapped it in grape leaves from the Applegate Appellation of Oregon. The grape leaves are soaked in Pear Brandy which adds additional complexity. This is a stunning blue cheese and one of our new favorites. Stop by for a FREE sample.

Point Reyes Blue
Cut and Wrapped Fresh to Your Order!
Cheesemaker Monte McIntyre learned his trade at Maytag Farm in Iowa before heading west to the sunny, coastal stretches of northern California. The ocean fog and the salty Pacific breeze leave their inedible stamp on this amazing blue cheese. Rich, creamy and luxurious. Stop by for a FREE sample.