One of the most positive developments of the last
decade has been the growth and success of specialty importers
who sell wines from some of the world's greatest small wine producers.
Because of the limited quantities of their wines, these specialty
importers frequently give exclusivities to one or two retailers
within each major metropolitan area. The following innovative
importers have established new qualtiy standards because of their
passion for wine. A telephone call to the importer can tell a
reader if an importer's selections are sold in a particular state.
Arborway Imports,
Lexington, MA; 617-863-1753 - This relatively new importer does
business primarily in the New England area. They specialize in
outstanding wine bargains from obscure wine regions of France,
particularly the Languedoc-Roussillon. This is also a strong importer
for the wines of the Rhone Valley, Burgundy, and Alsace.
Robert Chadderdon Selections,
New York, NY; 212-757-8185 - Chadderdon remains one of the mystery
men among top small importers in the United States. Rarely seen
and difficult to reach by telephone, he represents a number of
outstanding estates that can be counted on for impeccably high
quality. His strengths are French wines, with top selections from
every major viticultural regions. Prices are high, but the quality
is faultless.
Classic Wine Imports,
Boston, MA; 617-731-6644 - This importer has strong selections
from Burgundy, the Loire Valley, and the Rhone Valley. They operate
on a national basis and are probably best known for having the
American exclusivity for the superb wines from the Rhone Valley
firm of Guigal.
European Cellars,
Charlotte, NC; 704-358-1565 - Eric Solomon, an enthusiastic young
man, is quickly building this importer into one of the top specialists
in ferreting out terrific wine bargains from France's Rhone Valley
and the sun-drenched, wind-swept area known as the Languedoc-Roussillon.
They represent a bevy of top notch wines being sold at remarkably
low prices.
J & R Selections, Ltd.,
Mount Pleasant, MI; 517-772-3695 - Consumers in the Mid-West looking
for superb Rhone Valley and Provencal wines that are available
for a song should check out this company's amazing portfolio.
Hand Picked Selections,
Warrenton, VA; 703-347-3471 - If there is one importer who is
best known for specializing in wines under $10 a bottle, it would
be this small firm run by the gregarious Dan Kravitz. Kravitz
spends considerable amounts of time scouring the back roads of
Spain, Germany, and France for outstanding bargains. His strengths
are his "hand picked" selections from obscure viticultural regions
in Spain and France. Not surprisingly, his business has prospered
during tough economic times as consumers throughout the country
have become increasingly aware of the many French and Spanish
wines he represents.
Ideal Wines,
Medford, MA; 617-395-3300 - I would be hard-pressed to find a
more knowledgeable wine importer than New England's Larry Bender
of Ideal Wines. His passion and knowledge are well-displayed in
his remarkable selections, which include many esoteric producers
whose wines are filled with charm, personality, and pleasure.
This is an irrefutably great source for French wine.
Robert Kacher Selections,
Washington, DC; 202-832-9083 - There is no hotter importer in
the United States than the loquacious Robert Kacher, who nervously
speaks at a machine-gun pace. He represents the new wave of American
importers who spend considerable time with their producers championing
the case for lower yields and less-processed wines. As a result,
his portfolio includes some of the most magnificent burgundies,
Rhone Valley wines, white wines from Alsace and the Loire Valley
that can be found anywhere in the world. His increasing popularity
has not yet gone to his head, as prices for Kacher's gems remain
among the most reasonable in the country. The Robert Kacher name
on a bottle of imported wine is as close as one can get to a guarantee
of quality.
Kermit Lynch Selections,
Berkeley, CA; 415-524-1524 - In the 1970s, author/wine merchant/importer
Kermit Lynch became a trailblazer whose philosophy and success
have influenced and encouraged other small specialty importers.
Searching France, and to a lesser extent Italy, for handcrafted,
artisinal wines that were bottled without flavor and character
eviscerating filtration, Lynch was among the first small importers
to prove that Americans were interested in the finest wines from
tiny estates of Burgundy, the Rhone Valley, and Alsace. Lynch
was also instrumental in bringing attention to the fact that many
national importers displayed little concern for how their wines
were shipped. He has consistently promoted the fact that all of
his wines are transported only in temperature-controlled containers,
so they are not exposed to excessive temperatures that can destroy
a fine wine. While prices for his selections are lofty (fame has
its price), Lynch's strip label on a bottle means that the consumer
is getting an authentic, artisinal, handcrafted wine.
Martine's Wines,
San Rafael, CA; 415-485-1800 - A stylish Frenchwoman, Martin Saunier,
has put together a portfolio of French wines, particularly from
Burgundy and the Rhone Valley, that merits attention by any serious
French wine enthusiast. Like some of her peers, particularly Robert
Kacher and Kermit Lynch, she has vociferously argued against filtration,
as well as for shipment in temperature-controlled containers.
Her selections reflect nothing less than a brilliant palate.
Select Vineyards,
New York, NY; 212-249-6650 - Former attorney Neal Rosenthal, is
part of the new wave of importers buying specific barrels or lots
of wines from their producers, and having the wines bottled according
to the importer's specifications. For Rosenthal, that means no
fining or filtration. Rosenthal is particularly strong in Burgundy,
and has recently branched out with some enticing selections from
northern Italy.
Terry Theise Selections,
Washington, DC; 202-526-8000 - No one has done more to rekindle
interest in fine German wines than Terry Theise, a fanatical believer
in quality/price rapport and the flexibility with cuisine of drier
German wines. By ignoring many of Germany's most prestigious yet
under-achieving estates, he has discovered dozens of small producers
whose wines can be riveting.
Vineyard Brands,
Chester, VT; 802-875-2139 - From an historical perspective, Robert
Haas was one of the first to see the potential for small specialty
importers dealing with limited production wines that were being
overlooked by the larger national importers. While many of Haas's
famous Burgundy producers are no longer producing wines as profound
as they once did, his company remains one of the best sources
for high quality red and white burgundies, as well as some magnificent
Rhone wines, particularly the profound Châteauneuf du Pape, Beaucastel.
Weygandt-Metzler,
Unionville, PA; 215-932-2745 - Another relatively new importer,
Peter Weygandt has become a leading specialist in the wines of
Alsace. In addition, he has ferreted out some delicious gems from
Burgundy's Côte d'Or and the Rhone Valley and Provence. Like many
of the younger importers, such as Robert Kacher, Dan Kravitz (Hand
Picked Selections), and Eric Solomon (European Cellars), Weygandt
has kept his profit margins low, and has shown a keen sensitivity
to shipping his wines properly.
Wines of France,
Mountainside, NJ; 908-654-6173 - The wines of Alain Junguenet,
a former grand prix race car driver, are just beginning to develop
a national following. And why not? He has put together the most
impressive portfolio of high quality Rhone Valley estates that
has ever been available in the United States. To his credit, he
has persuaded a number of great Rhone Valley producers (for example
Henri Bonneau) to sell their wines in the United States for the
first time. He has also put together an admirable selection of
wines from the up and coming viticultural region of Languedoc-Roussillon.
Additionally, his selections from the Loire Valley and Beaujolais
can be dazzling. Lastly, prices for Junguenet's wines are among
the most alluring in the business.
Wine Imports,
San Francisco, CA; 415-398-3933 - This outstanding firm, the import
arm of the well-known San Francisco retailer, Draper and Esquin,
is extremely strong in such French viticultural regions as Burgundy
and the Rhone Valley. Virtually all of their selections are available
on the West Coast.
