any input on this merlot?

[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.