Support the Humble: an Exclusive List of Wine Importers
Brought to you from our friend Caleb Kneip at Imbibe
Caleb Kneip is the heart behind this Sunday’s story on wine as a spiritual experience.
He’s a friend and wine director at Imbibe on Broad Street.
Caleb’s so brilliantly effective at telling the story behind the label, while gently encouraging folks to choose wines at Imbibe that have meaning and power behind them.
For our Table community, he recommended a handy list of trustworthy wine importers who import wines produced by small farmers who use responsible, sustainable and caring practices towards the land and vineyards.
Here’s Caleb’s list, or what he calls “a baker’s dozen of Wine Importers a wine director looks for when shopping, to support the humble.”
Rosenthal Wine Merchant (French and Italian)
Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant (French and Italian)
Mary Taylor (great for discovering Europe and abroad at sub $25)
Vineyard Brands (incredible and accessible in many markets, excellent European and South African wines)
T Edwards (lots of low-intervention, natural wine style options)
Vinos Libres (my favorite Spanish importer)
Vintage 59 Imports (very small)
Skurnik Imports (incredible German/Austrian, and Champagne)
Banville (Italian)
Ethica Wines (Italian)
Dalla Terra (Italian)
Winebow Imports
Savio Soares
“The benefit of seeking out importers is that they represent a philosophy with all of the wines they bring in,” he said. “So if you’re unable to locate a specific bottle you’ve fallen in love with when you’re shopping in an unfamiliar store, you can generally trust that a wine from the same importer will be of equal quality and enjoyment.
“Distributors and retailers change and swap brands and producers all the time, but Importers stay the same 99% of the time. The importers (like Mary Taylor) are the ones that go out and find the wines, meet the farmers and makers, and choose to bring them to the United States. They have built a relationship with the producers. They usually don’t want to lose that relationship once established. Distributors are less likely to be on that intimate basis with the wines.”
He sent some photos of the backs of labels so we can see where the importer distinction can be found.
“Most of the brands in grocery stores are from Constellation Brands or E&J Gallo. While these are titans in the wine world and have made a huge impact with global production and wine sales, they represent the conglomerate, factory-made wines that are usually filled with synthetic homogenizing additives that ensure every bottle will taste the same no matter where you purchase it,” he said.
This leads to formula — “consistency = reliability = loyalty = sales” — that steers us away from the small farmer.
“This is a basic formula they rely on and mitigates buying risk by keeping wine safe and predictable, but uninteresting and unromantic and sterile. Not agricultural. Lab-made. The difference between harvesting your own chicken you raised, and the one you bought packaged and frozen at Food City. Both chicken. Completely different philosophies,” he said.
Imbibe is located at 1616 Broad Street in downtown Chattanooga. Caleb’s there most days and also directs their wine club.
