Peatfest 2009!!!

Hello fellow whisky travellers! Do you know what time it is???

It's time for our 2nd annual PEATFEST 2009 edition.

Come on down Thursday, June 25th from 6:00-7:30 as we try peated malts from all over the world. No light apertif malts in this tasting, just smoky, stick to your ribs whisk(e)y. We have some special malts this year. Here's a complete list of what's being poured:

Laphroaig "Quarter Cask"

McCarthy's Peated Single Malt from Portland, Oregon

Port Charlotte PC6 & PC7 (pre-order-not available in MO yet)

Compass Box 'The Peat Monster" Pure Malt (pre-order-not available in MO yet)

Connemara 12 Year Peated Irish Whiskey

NV Ardmore Traditional Cask Peated Highland Malt

1982 Port Ellen 25 Year Cask Strength


Peatfest 2009
Thursday, June 25th
6:00-7.30pm
$15.00
Call 314.863.6282 for reservations

Weekend Tastings!

Friday Open House Tasting
Theme: Northern California
Where: The Wine Merchant, Ltd. 20 South Hanley in Clayton
When: Friday, June 19
Time: 5:30 PM until 7:00 PM
Please call 314.863.6282 for more information.
This Friday, we'll be featuring wines from Sonoma County's great Alexander Valley & Dry Creek AVA's (American Viticultural Area). We'll be pouring excellent wines from these underrated areas, and answering your California wine questions. We will have special sale pricing on the featured wines too. Here are the wines for the tasting...

2007 Pedroncelli Chardonnay Dry Creek Valley $8.99
2008 Alexander Valley Vineyards Gewurztraminer Mendocino "New Gewurz" $9.99
2005 Alexander Valley Vineyards Zinfandel "Temptation" $12.99
2007 Pedroncelli Pinot Noir Dry Creek Valley $14.99
2006 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon $19.99

Saturday Open House Tasting
Theme: Spain!
Where: The Wine Merchant, Ltd. 20 South Hanley in Clayton
When: Saturday, June 20
Time: 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM
Please call 314.863.6282 for more information.
We love Spanish wines here at the Merch and this Saturday Ramona Marten from Classique Wines & Spirits will be pouring great value wines from all over this excellent wine producing country. On Saturday Ramona will be featuring new releases from an exellent importer, Grapes of Spain and talking about Spanish wines in general. As always, there will be special pricing on the wines. Here's the lineup for this Saturday...

NV Anecoop Flare Muscat $12.99
2007 Monte Castrillo Roble Ribera del Duero $12.99
2008 Nessa Albarino Rias Biaxas $13.99 (Rated 90/100 Steven Tanzer)
2007 Luna Beberide Bierzo $14.99
2005 Pujanza Rioja $29.99 (Rated 91/100 Steven Tanzer)

Meet Julian Fayard & Cal Nicholson from Cellar Arts

Meet Winemaker Julian Fayard and co-owner Cal Nicholson
from Nicholson Jones/Cellar Arts
Saturday, June 27th
1-4pm

Join us as we welcome back winemaker Julian Fayard, and Cal Nicholson co-owner of Cellar Arts, one of Califonia's up and coming boutique wineries. We at the Merch are big supporters of their wines because of Julian's winemaking talent from dry roses to rich Cabernets. Winemaker Julian Fayard was born and raised in France and has worked in Bordeaux, the Loire Valley, Provence and Napa Valley. Co-Owner Cal Nicholson who lives in St. Louis, has a passion for wine & wine-making, so he left the business world to follow that passion. We at the Wine Merchant are truly pleased to carry their impressive range of wines. Julian and Cal will pouring from their varied and strong portfolio, talking about their wines and anwering your questions. There will be special pricing for the tasting. Here's what's being poured:

2008 Solace Rose $21.99

2008 Azur Rose $24.99

2008 Azur Sauvignon Blanc $24.99

2007 Nicholson Jones Selection Napa Chardonnay $34.99

2005 Cellar Arts Napa Cuvee Red Blend $39.99

2005 Cellar Arts Rutherford Reserve Red Bland $49.99

Meet Master Distliler Jim Rutledge of Four Roses Distillery

Meet Master Distliler Jim Rutledge of Four Roses Distillery
Friday, June 26th
5:30-7:30pm
$10.00 per person

We are very happy to welcome Master Distiller Jim Rutledge of Four Roses Disltillery. Jim has been the Master Distiller at Four Roses since 1995 and was inducted into the Bourbon Hall of Fame. In 2007, Malt Advocate Magazine awarded Jim the "Lifetime Achievement Award" and in 2008, Whisky Magazine named him the industry's "2008 Ambassador of the Year for American Whisky."
Jim will be signing bottles for customers and pouring the good stuff including:

Four Roses Yellow Label 80 Proof

Four Roses Small Batch 90 Proof

Four Roses Single Barrel 100 Proof

There will be sale pricing for all Four Roses that evening. Space is limited so call 314.863.6282 for reservations.

Father's Day Sale

Save BIG on Wines Priced $49.99 and Up!
Sale discount is good through Sunday, June 21...
Father's Day is almost here (Sunday, June 21) and we're having a special sale to celebrate this day dedicated to Dad. Antiquated Missouri Liquor Law prohibits us from advertising the amount of sale discounts outside of our shop. Yeah, we don't like it either but being law abiding citizens we play by the rules. We can tell you a few details about our Father's Day Sale though. This sale is good through Sunday, June 21. Our Father's Day Sale is a BIG discount on all wines priced $49.99 and higher at our original location in Clayton. Sale is limited to stock on hand. Further discounts do not apply. Sale is not applicable to prior sales. We'll dress up that bottle for you too. That's right, gift wrap is available at the checkout counter. We have note cards so you can write him a little sumthin'-sumthin' about just how cool he is and how he's always been your heroe. We're a full service shop and we aim to please. See store for complete details.

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years." -Mark Twain

Summer Classes

Summer Classes Part II

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

Thursday, July 2
Spanish Best Buys Under $15
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Spain is producing some remarkable values and in this class we will show you six examples from this market leader. This exciting class will open your eyes to the best buys from Spain!
$15 per person

Friday, July 3
Bargains from Burgundy
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
France's Burgundy region produces some of the most majestic and expensive wines in the world. White wines are made from Chardonnay grapes and the reds from Pinot Noir. Burgundy also produces bargain priced bottles that offer great value. We'll show some of them to you in this excellent, new class.
$25 per person

Tuesday, July 7
Introduction to Wine & Food Pairing
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
This is one of our most popular classes. Here we'll teach you the basics about matching wine with foods. Some of the pairings may be obvious and a few might just open your eyes to the many possibilities at the table. Fun class.
$35 per person

Thursday, July 9
Choosing from Restaurant Wine Lists
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
This is an excellent, new class that's been added to our lineup. It can be tough when you've been handed the wine list either with friends and family or at a business dinner function. There are some key things to know and to look for and in this class we'll teach you all about them.
$25 per person

Friday, July 10
Champagne & Sparkling Wine
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
France's Champagne region has led the World in the production of sparkling wines. Other countries have discovered cool regions where they can grow fine grapes for the production of bubbly. In this fun and festive class we will taste excellent examples of sparkling wines from Champagne and around the world.
$40 per person

Saturday, July 11
Wine & Cheese Pairing: France
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
In this excellent class we will showcase examples of French wine along with delicious cheeses produced in France. Some of the pairings will be regional with wines and cheeses produced in the same area. Other pairings will be both tasty and educational.
$35 per person

Tuesday, July 14
Bargains from France's Languedoc-Roussillon
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
France's Languedoc-Roussillon region is their largest area of wine production. Historically the wines were produced in bulk and made for quantity not quality. Things have changed dramatically in the past fifteen years with a shift towards quality and now the region produces some of the finest values in the world of wine. You'll taste six examples in this new class.
$20 per person

Thursday, July 16
Pinot Noir in California
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Pinot Noir has been the darling of the California wine world thanks to its delicious aromas and flavors, silky texture and versatility at the table. It's a fickle grape and winemakers in California have discovered through trial and error where is best to plant Pinot Noir vines and how to coax out those tasty flavors. We'll show you some fine examples of California Pinot Noirs in this exciting, new class.
$30 per person

Friday, July 17
Wines of the Rhone Valley: North
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
France's Rhone Valley is comprised of two main regions along the Rhone River which originates in the Swiss Alps and flows southward through France and ends in the Mediterranean Sea. The wines (red and white) from the north mainly come from steep, hillside vineyards along the Rhone River. There are rare and expensive examples along with some fine bargains from the northern Rhone. In this excellent, new class we'll show you examples of each.
$25 per person

Saturday, July 18
Wines of the Rhone Valley: South
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
There are many types of wine produced in France's southern Rhone Valley including delicious, dry rosés, luscious white wines and full-bodied reds. They even produce a few dessert wines. In this excellent, new class we'll teach you all about them.
$25 per person

Tuesday, July 21
South Africa
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
South Africa has an important wine trade with a long history of production that was heavily influenced by European producers. In South Africa they have managed to combine this historical influence with their own identity and ingenuity. These wines offer a delicious change of pace. This is an excellent, new class.
$25 per person

Thursday, July 23
Burgundy: Cote de Beaune
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
The heart of France's Burgundy region is divided into two sections; the Cote de Beaune which is located south of the city of Beaune and the Cote de Nuits which is located north of Beaune. The Cote de Beaune produces both red (made from Pinot Noir) and white wine (made from Chardonnay). In this excellent, new class we'll show you some classic examples of each.
$35 per person

Friday, July 24
Burgundy: Cote de Nuits
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Ah... Burgundy's beloved region to the north; the Cote de Nuits. Here red wine is king and it's made from the fickle Pinot Noir grape. This little sliver of land produces some of the finest red wines in the world and in this excellent new class we'll teach you all about them.
$35 per person

Saturday, July 25
Burgundy: The Village Wines
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
France's Burgundy region labels the wines by their area of production. They begin with regional examples such as Bourgone Rouge and Cote de Nuits Villages. At the top level there are the excellent Premier Crus from single vineyards within the best villages and finally the sensational and expensive single vineyard Grand Crus. In the middle of this classification are the often excellent Bourgogne Villages. We call them village wines and the best show the character of the soil in their respective towns and they offer excellent value for the shrewd consumer.
$35 per person

Tuesday, July 28
Burgundy: The Grand Crus
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
They're rare and expensive. Some say the Holy Grail of wine. The French think that each vineyard plays such an important role in winemaking that they've rated and classified the best examples. The best are rated 'Grand Cru.' In this excellent class you'll get to taste some incredible red and white Grand Cru Burgundies from France's Burgundy region. Great class.
$75 per person

Thursday, July 30
Chardonnay Alternatives
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
We hear it all the time from quite a few customers. 'I'm tired of Chardonnay. Got anything else?' You bet we do and we'll teach you all about them in this excellent, new class.
$20 per person

Friday, July 31
Wine & Cheese Pairing: California
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
California has a great wine industry and an incredible dairy trade too. In this new class we'll pair up some classic California wines with excellent examples of artisan cheese produced in the Golden State.
$35 per person

Saturday, August 1
Classic California Cabernets
Please call 314.863.6282 for reservations.
Cabernet is King in California and in this excellent, new class we will show you examples from the top AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) in the Golden State. You'll taste classics from Napa Valley and Sonoma County and we'll showcase a ringer or two. Fun class.
$40 per person

South African Wine Tasting This Saturday!

Wines of South Africa with Major Brands
Saturday, June 6th
1pm-4pm

South African wines are becoming more popular every year because of
their great quality and price. A.J. Rosenblatt from Major Brands
Cellar Selections will be here this Saturday to take you on a tour of
the country’s wide range & styles of wines. Here’s a list of what’s
being featured:

2007 Indaba Shiraz $7.99

2008 Mulderbosch Rose $9.99

2007 Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc $12.99

2008 Raats Chenin Blanc $12.99

2006 Kanonkop Pinotage $29.99