About us


    European Wine Resource is a new importation and distribution company located in the 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







NEWS

Sauternes…

On the left bank of the Garrone, and just to the south of the great estates of Chateau Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion (also known for their great white wines), lie the five villages in Graves that make the exquisite sweet white wines known collectively as Sauternes. They include Sauternes, Barsac, Preignac, Fargues, and Bommes.

This region is located near a small cold water spring called the Cérons, which meets the warmer waters of the Garrone to create the misty conditions, that help breed the “noble rot” that separates these wines from those of the rest of the world. It’s a fungus that ruptures the grape skins in the late summer, predisposing the grapes to desiccation. Thus, the wines are viscous or honey-like, often with hints of apricots and pineapples. These delicious wines are also high in alcohol and acid, allowing them to age almost indefinitely. Sauternes are primarily made with the Semillon grape, along with small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle.
 
It is difficult to make Sauternes. The rot must be of just the right level, and only the most affected grapes can be picked, thus the yield for the wine from Sauternes is reduced substantially. Considered the most prestigious Chateau, Chateau D’Yquem, actually harvests one berry at a time, and only after they have reached ultimate perfection. While most Bordeaux vineyards claim to produce one bottle per vine, Chateau D’Yquem is reputed to produce one glass per vine, and perhaps even less in a dry year.

French Sauternes will always be considered one of the great treasures of the earth and understandably expensive.  Chateau D’Yquem, considered the First “Great Growth” (from the Bordeaux Classification of 1855), is the benchmark for French Sauternes, and is frequently offered at the pre-release price of $200-300 per bottle.
 
Other producers, however, have become increasingly competitive both in quality and price. Within the 1885 Classification, there are a significant number of First Growths (Premiers Crus), which are also notable and prized, but trade at one quarter the price of Chateau D’Yquem. These include Chateau Climens, Rieussec (owned by Chateau Lafite Rothschilds), Chateau Suduiraut, Chateau Gilette and several others. The leading production at Chateau Gilette or the “Gilette Crème de Tete,” is particularly unusual in that it is kept “en reserve” for roughly 20 years prior to its release. 

Lastly, there are a large number of Sauternes that are from the “petite” Chateau or surrounding regions, for example Mascaron par Ginestet, which can fit any man’s budget and always provide a memorable experience.

Cin-Cin!!!