any input on this merlot?

[curious]

On a off chance, I am hoping that someone will recognize what these are. Am trying to get more info.
I don't have much input on the brand, just that it is a Merlot, Del Veneto is the name.
My daughter called, seems one of the soldiers in her hubby's group just came back from Italy, he brought back quite a bit of wine that he is selling off.
This is one of the bottles, she didn't get the year.
Another wine is Mescato, Bel Chaco (her spelling, not mine) so I don't know if it helps in figuring out what they are.
I told her to see if she can get more info, especially the year.

[Thomas]

Your friend best be careful selling wine without a license.

[Innkeeper]

Have not found any merlots from Veneto that amounted to much.

[curious]

thanks,
I had wondered about the legality of his selling wine in such a situation.
I don't know how much this kid brought back, (my daughter doesn't even know his name, she and her hubby found out from a friend, who also knows him).
My major concern is the condition of the wine, where he is keeping it at, its exposure to heat, light and such.
Price wise it may sound good, but from other perspectives, I not too happy with.

I may cut my throat here with you all, but this is my feeling about the matter.
I don't go to extremes from both sides (it is "illegal" so I wouldn't even think of buying it or hey, lets pull the wool over the govt's laws, rules are made to be broken), my outlook is, if the soldier is doing it as a side business, that is totally wrong, and I won't touch the wine, no matter how good a deal. If, however, he brought home some (say a couple of dozen or less bottles, and wants to sell off a few, then I am not against buying one.

So, that is my outlook on it, I do believe that at times you can bend rules, but I DO NOT believe you should break them.
okay, is my name mud now?
Janette

[winoweenie]

Still looks like it's Curious Jeannette to moi'. WW

[joeyz6]

Regardless of how much he brought back, the whole situation seems bizarre, and it would probably be best not to buy any of the wine just to be safe. If you're looking for good deals there are plenty of suggestions to be found here.

[Thomas]

IK, have you tried the Merlot from Sachetto--Colli Eugenei (Veneto). 80/20 Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon? At $12 retail this is a knockout.

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 01-06-2003).]

[Innkeeper]

A merlot is not a merlot/cab last time I looked.

[Thomas]

Last time I looked, most producers take advantage of the rule that allows a varietal name so long as the wine includes at least 75% of that varietal...so, 80% Merlot (Like the Sachetto wine) would be called Merlot by a myriad of producers. You knew that IK. What are you getting at?

[Innkeeper]

Didn't read the fine print about the 80 percenter. Thought you were taking about a fity fity or thereabouts one.

[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 01-07-2003).]

[Thomas]

You know how much I appreciate Merlots from Friuli Venezia Giulia. I say without reservation that the Sachetto is a notch above.

[winoweenie]

THE EYES ARE THE 3RD THING TO GO. WW

[Thomas]

When does that happen, ww, or has it been so long for you that you can no longer remember???

I thought I inserted a smiley face, but I got the arrow instead.

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 01-07-2003).]

[winoweenie]

The memory's the 2nd thing.....ww

[Thomas]

who are you, and what are we talking about???

[curious]

Do I want to know what is the first?

[hotwine]

Probably not.

[stevebody]

Curious,

The "del Veneto" is, most likely, an appellation and not the name of the wine or the maker. It just means "from the Veneto region", which, as you'd expect, includes Venice. The "Moscato" is a white grape that can be found either sweet or dry, simply fermented or "frizante", which is slightly sparkling. The Bel Chaco is, I think, spelled wrong but I can't think of the right name at the moment. I think that's a maker. At any rate, agreed, the Veneto ain't known for its Merlot. The Boscaini Dirada may be a del Veneto Merlot but I might be wrong about that. It's decent but not great or typical. For a truly great Italian Merlot that doesn't cost major $$, try the Zenato '99. The best Merlot character of any I've tried the past year, anywhere, any price. If you want to see what Italy can REALLY do with Merlot, try the La Carraia Fobbiano. Sheer freakin' heaven at about $38.

For the Moscato, it's an acquired taste. Try the Californian, Eberle, to see if you like it at all before forking over any dollars. And be wary of buying anything that comes from a private individual. Wine laws are in a volcanic state of flux, these days. You could, no lie, wind up in court.