European Cellars

06/03/2024

Eric Solomon is pleased to announce the merger of European Cellars with Third Leaf Wines. This merger will result in a combined and diverse portfolio with a global reach, allowing Third Leaf Wines to focus on the core principles Eric Solomon established – unique and distinctive wines to a broad audience of consumers, retailers, and restauranteurs. Read more on who will be a part of the new Third Leaf Wines here: http://bit.ly/3X6J2V1

03/01/2024

Two Herencia Altes wines were listed in this article by SevenFifty as the Best Wines for $15 or under, stating “If you are seeking great value and intense flavors, Spanish wines are worth discovering.”

We couldn't agree more HERÈNCIA ALTÉS

Retail buyers select the affordable wines that deliver serious quality for the price…

11/04/2023

Apple season is in full swing, and we can’t think of anything better to enjoy during crisp evenings than the ciders of Maison Herout. Normandy has a reputation as the land of apple excellence, and Maison Herout has been there since 1946. For generations, the transformation of apples into cider and Calvados has been cultural, rooted in the Cotentin region and producing some of the driest and most complex ciders made anywhere in France. Most wouldn’t expect it would perfectly pair with seafood, but that’s exactly what we decided to do on this crisp Saturday afternoon. Chin chin!

11/02/2023

Bonbonnes, Demi-johns, or Damajuanas – call them what you will, their history is a testament to centuries of craftsmanship and winemaking. Dating back to the early 17th century France, these glass vessels were initially created to store and transport various liquids, with a primary focus on wines. Handcrafted by skilled glassblowers, each demijohn was a unique piece of artistry. These vessels allowed winemakers to age and preserve their wines, ensuring they reached the peak of their flavor profiles. The tradition of using French demijohns has not only endured but also spread worldwide. The history of French demijohns is a testament to their enduring legacy in the world of wine, showcasing the intersection of art, science, and tradition. We’d take one of these over a decorative glass pumpkin any day.

Pictured here are the demi-johns of Comando G, Domaine Lafage, and Javi Revert

10/31/2023

You may ask yourself, what do Freud, gothic horror, Halloween, and the following three wines have in common?

Simply put, it is the uncanny.

Wines can also be uncanny. They can present themselves simply at first but then take an unexpected turn. They seem to straddle multiple identities, but by deftly avoiding contradiction, they open your palate to new possibilities of what wine can be. We've made a list of three supernatural wine recommendations to try as you pass out candy to trick-or-treaters, to lighten the mood with your spookiest friends, or for a scary movie night.

Freud defined the uncanny as recognizing something unsettling in the familiar. Much like clowns, dolls, and protective face gear are both beloved and essential parts of childhood, they can also be things of nightmares. Having recently rewatched Nicole Kidman’s fantastic performance in The Others, ...

09/30/2023

If you haven’t tried Lebanese wines yet, Domaine des Tourelles Carignan is the place to start.

Tamlyn Currin of jancisrobinson.com says “[This is] one of the most gentle Carignans I’ve tasted... It has the rugged rasp of Carignan, but it’s wrapped in cashmere. Strikingly delicate and translucent for a Carignan, yet losing nothing of Carignan’s gypsy-wild, windswept devil-may-care.”

Pleasently surprise yourself and order a bottle today: https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/dom+de+tourelles+carignan+vieilles+vigne+bekaa+valley+lebanon

09/26/2023

Understandably, most of Benoît’s wine is consumed shortly after purchase, which is a shame as they truly reveal their full expression after some time in the bottle. So, while people might debate what constitutes modern versus traditional Chablis by applying various rubrics, the real test for us is how a bottle of Chablis pleases at every stage of its life. The sucker-punch of bracing minerality and citrus in its youth, the emergence of a growing monumental stoniness in adolescence, and the nougaty depths of maturity. Benoît’s wines have always passed this test for us.

We’ve documented our thoughts on the 2022 vintage, which you can read below. Does it pass your test?

https://www.europeancellars.com/some-thoughts-on-chablis-the-2022-vintage/

09/23/2023

Many discussions about terroir omit one crucial element: the human labor that discovers and nurtures it. Ester Nin and Carles Ortiz of Nin-Ortiz embody this belief in everything they do, from the hard manual work and biodynamic practices that have revitalized their vineyards to their humble and sensitive practices in the cellar. Grounded, expressive, generous, and balanced describe both their thrilling wines and the nature of Ester and Carles themselves.

https://www.europeancellars.com/producer/familia-nin-ortiz/

09/20/2023

Are you from or near Atlanta?
and you’ve never heard of Dive?
What do you even do on Tuesdays?

Stay up-to-date on our pop-up events in Atlanta by following on Instagram and get your hands on some limited allocation treats while they're hot! Shown is one of their prior events at Larakin partnered with GRAMONA

09/17/2023

The process can be just as - if not more - important than the end result at times. In the Priorat, Terroir al Limit knows that to keep their wine at top level the devil is in the details. This beautiful quail dish is emphasized with a detailed broth base and paired with Terroir al Limit's Les Manyes

09/07/2023

The Priorat, nestled in the heart of Catalonia, Spain, is renowned for its unique terroir characterized by ancient, mineral-rich black slate soils. Eric Solomon's collaborative project of Priorat wines, titled Black Slate, features 5 distinct wines at an affordable price. These take us on a journey through the rugged vineyards, where dedicated winemakers are harnessing the power of this distinctive terroir to craft exceptional wines. Read more at the link: https://www.europeancellars.com/producer/black-slate/

09/01/2023

We all have our favorite ways to unwind. For some, it might be a late summer hike to observe the first changes of Autumn, while others prefer hiding from the heat and spending a quiet night at home. August used to be the month that all our producers took their vacations, but with warmer weather many are now rushing to begin harvest. Here are our Four Wines for Unwinding with some suggestions, no matter if you’re recreating outdoors or inside, along with some pairing suggestions.

We all have our favorite ways to unwind. For some, it might be a late summer hike to observe the first changes of Autumn, while others prefer hiding from the heat, eating something simple, and spending a quiet night at home. August used to be the month that all our producers took their vacations, bu...