About us


    European Wine Resource is an importation and distribution company located in the San Francisco Bay Area specializing in rare and collectible European wines.

Collectors who have been maintaining rare wine portfolios since 1970 founded EWR in August of 2006.  This accumulation has grown into one of the largest collections of rare European wine in North America.

The majority of our inventory is purchased pre-release (or en primeur) and are cellared in original cases since their inception. We have invested an enormous effort to ensure the quality of our wines. Our inventory is maintained in two separate state-of-the-art storage facilities and nurtured at 58°F and 65% humidity. In addition to our own inspections, our sources are well respected and long established in the industry and we fully guarantee the authenticity of each bottle.  To help further reassure our customers, we can also provide transmittable digital images of our selections before they’re purchased.

Although a great emphasis has been placed on classified French Bordeaux, Italian wine, and Vintage Port, you will also find excellent assortments of Burgundies, Sauternes, and Rhone wines.

The wines we offer will constantly change, as we are always abreast of the European markets.  Over the course of the next few months, we intend to expand our selections by adding a wealth of historical vintages and additional regions to our menu including, German Rieslings, and assortments from the American classics.
   
While, the Internet has recently become a prominent vehicle for purchasing wine, you may have found many unrealistic offerings.  For our customers it should be comforting to know that all the wines we offer are in fact owned by us and are always physically on-hand in our facilities.
   
We take great pride in our company and want to earn your satisfaction and respect. If there is anything we can do to improve our service, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
EWR







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NEWS

The Super-Tuscans
What are they?
     A Super-Tuscan wine can be any Tuscan red wine that does not adhere to traditional blending laws established  by the DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controlla e Garantita). Chianti Classico, for example, is guaranteed to be made only be from specified quantities of  Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Malvasia Bianca, grapes typically found in Tuscany. Super-Tuscan wines, on the other hand, are usually made from grape varietals found outside of Italy, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. The Super-Tuscan wine movement began in the 1940s at the estate of Marchese Mario Incisa (della Rocchetta), who settled on a horse ranch in Bolgheri, a small region south of Florence near the Mediterranean Sea. Mario Incisa was not interested in making wines for the market. His desire was to make unique wines of the highest quality, only for his family and friends. He imported Cabernet Sauvignon vines from Chateau Lafite Rothschild in Bordeaux, France and aged his wine in French oak casks. Incisa worked for several decades to perfect his wine making skills. In 1968, the wine had reached such remarkable proportions that Piero Antinori, his cousin, persuaded Incisa to give the distribution  rights to the Antinori's. The wine was called Sassicaia and became an immediate success. In a blind tasting in London in 1974, it was chosen as the  "stand-out favorite" over the world  best Cabernets, including those from Bordeaux.  The wine is made from at least 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and up to 15% Cabernet Franc.
     Even before the competition, Piero Antinori began to understand the potential of the terroir and climate of the  Bolgheri, previously known for anonymous white wines and rose. He believed that he could make a better wine than the Chianti he was already producing and began eliminating the white Malvasia grapes from the blend, replacing it with a number of French varietals he was testing. In 1971, Antinori released a new wine called Tignanello. Since 1975 this wine has included about 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 80% Sangiovese, and stands head and shoulders above the DOCG hierarchy. Another commercial success for the Antinori family was Solaia. It was introduced in 1978, and is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 20% Sangiovese. It can also rival the finest French Bordeaux.
      Other notable contributors to the world of Super-Tuscan wines include Lodovico Antinori, Piero Antinori’s older brother, who introduced Ornellaia in 1985. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (30%) and Cabernet Franc (5%). In addition to Ornellaia, Lodovico uses grapes from the Masseto vineyard to produce a wine of the same name,  featuring Merlot, which has reached cult status.  Vigna L'Apparita, is another Italian Merlot, produced at Castello di Ama. It is made in very small quantities and aged in French oak barriques. Castello dei Rampola's Super-Tuscan super star is Sammarco, which is made from 80% Cabernet and 20% Sangiovese. Some vintages of Sammarco rival Sassicaia and Solaia, but cost substantially less. And last , but not least, are producers who have tried to incorporate modern wine making techniques and traditional Italian varietals. I Sodi di San Nicolo is produced by the Castellare estate and is made from 85% Sangiovese and 15% Malvasia Nera. After a maceration period of 18-25 days, the wine is transferred to new French oak barriques and aged for 24 months. It is a noteworthy effort. A broad (and historical) collection of these wines is available from our cellars. Please contact us for further information and assistance.