I’ve mentioned a similar idea in the past, and I’ve suggested this before, but Judy Beardsall has a great list:
Friends,
The importer’s name on a label tells me almost as much about the wine as the name of the vineyard it comes from. There is a small number of specialty importers dedicated to seeking out wines that are the most interesting and are, invariably, good value for the money. You can’t be expected to know the track record of every importer, and of course, many very good wines are handled by large importers.
You can find the name of the importer either on the back or the front of the wine label. Often, when I go to a restaurant, and I’m unsure about a wine on the list, I ask to see the bottle to check who imported it. I do the same when choosing wine in a wine shop, when I may not be familiar with a specific wine. Sometimes, you won’t find the word “importer” but it will say “imported by” or a “so-and-so” (naming the importer) selection.
Here are some importers to look for which always spell quality:
– Lenardo Locascio
– Kermit Lynch
– Robert Kacher
– Jorge Ordonez
– Michael Skurnik
– Louis Dressner
– Robert Chadderdon
– Peter Weygandt
– Neil Empson
Please go to www.JudyBeardsall.com and sign up for the “Wine Bitch” blog/newsletter.