The Austin Wine Merchant has been sourcing excellent wine for the Austin market since 1991. Located on the rapidly changing west sixth corridor, it is perfectly positioned to continue to be a major force for high quality wine offerings in Austin. If you haven’t been to AWM yet, Go!
AWM luckily has an ample parking lot for the area and so is easy to pop into. It is not a huge store, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality. In my opinion it is the best place to buy French and Italian wines in Austin. The selection is well-edited and well-priced. It also carries wines from other regions, but the staff’s expertise really lies in Europe. They are always extremely helpful both in finding and suggesting wines. AWM also carries the requisite spirits and beers (the cold cases in the back contain some interesting small production brews well worth a perusal).
In addition to selling wine, etc. AWM hosts bi-weekly tastings that are free. Stop in on a Saturday afternoon on Wednesday evening to sample wines. The vineyard rep or importer will be there to explain the several wines on offer. I’ve gone to some great ones like Chateau Montelena where all of the wines on taste were more than $90. How often do you get to taste wines like that, let alone for free? Additionally, check the website for events and classes. I recently attended several excellent classes on Italian wines taught by Jeremy Parzen of Do Bianchi. The two Piedmont tastings were highly informative and delicious. Barberas and Barbarescos are now some of my favorite, elegant wines for the weekend.
Overall, this is an Austin gem that is a must see for any aspiring wine geek or more casual wine lover. The well-edited stock, the friendly and knowledgeable staff and the competitive pricing make the trek to west sixth well worth it!
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