About Barbara Macfarlane

Barbara Macfarlane, owner of Marczyk Fine Foods, is always happy when she gets asked to talk about a favorite wine or spirit. "So many wines, so little time. So like our customers, I depend on the crew to tell me what's new, delicious, and noteworthy. It's true, I get stuck on faves, but the new wines coming in the door are so well chosen! So drink up Denver, we've been doing this for 20 years and we know what's cool!"

Barbara prescribes Chardonnay forthwith for back-to-school time.

Land of Saints | Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley, CA Friends & Family: $19.99/bottle (reg. $23.99/btl) Jeannot | Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay France Friends & Family: $26.99/bottle (reg. $29.99/btl) As I was standing at the bar at a recent family reunion, a mother, standing next to me, kid clinging to her leg, ordered "an apple juice, and a double Chardonnay, please." Now, of course, that's not how we order wine. But in honor of back-to-school week, whether you're sending the little ones off to first grade, the big ones off to college, or are a teacher yourself, here are two Chardonnays that [...]

By | 2023-08-28T19:24:45+00:00 August 28th, 2023|

The Winery at Château Saint-Sernin

The Saint-Sernin Winery was born in 1619, in Parnac, France, a picturesque village enclosed by a meander in the river Lot, in a lovely valley outside of Cahors, France. Our relationship with the newest owners, Anne and Heifara, started soon after we opened Marczyk Fine Wines, when we met Phil Sevier. Phil had created relationships with small wineries in France, from Cahors to Beaune, and brought super-affordable wines to Denver. Now Paul Marczyk and his wife, Cheriese, run VinCo, and many of these wines are the ones we started with all those years ago. The Carbonneau Margot, Saint-Sernin Malbec, and [...]

By | 2023-08-14T21:32:46+00:00 July 28th, 2023|

Joyeux jour de la Bastille!

To celebrate France's independence day, drink this: St. Sernin Varua Maohio Mana 2015 | 100% Malbec Rich and complex. Drier and more nuanced than its Argentinian counterparts. Cahor Malbecs are wonderful with dry-aged ribeyes. $18.99/bottle Friends & Family Deals Bottle Discounts: 3 bottles: 5% off 6 bottles: 10% off 12 bottles: 15% off Happy Hour Enjoy an extra 5% volume discount on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4pm to 6pm. 3 bottles: 10% off 6 bottles: 15% off Monthly Specials Look for our purple signs — discounts on big and little wines.12 bottles: 20% off

By | 2023-08-02T23:28:03+00:00 July 19th, 2023|

Barbara is cooling off with Piquepoul

Richemer Piquepoul Côtes de Thau, France $11.99/bottle Oof, the heat! Pulled this lovely off the top shelf of the fridge, nice and cold. Piquepoul (pik-pool) has been a customer favorite for a long time. Aromatic and zingy, with notes of citrus and green apple. Don't be fooled by the bottle — it's dry, and perfect with a summer salad. $11.99? Crazy talk! Friends & Family Deals Bottle Discounts: 3 bottles: 5% off 6 bottles: 10% off 12 bottles: 15% off Happy Hour Enjoy an extra 5% volume discount on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4pm to 6pm. 3 bottles: 10% off [...]

By | 2023-08-02T23:26:01+00:00 July 12th, 2023|

Seth has a dry Alsatian you’re going to love

Ever since we discovered that an Alsatian and a German Shepherd are the same breed of dog, we thought we should point out that the Alsatian we're talking about here is a wine — a Sylvaner from E. Traber in Alsace, France. Sylvaner isn't a grape that's bandied about very often. Still, do NOT overlook this amazing, dry Alsatian white. It is light, bright, and outta sight. You will experience notes of peach, grapefruit, orange blossom, thyme, and a delicious flinty minerality. Pair this Sylvaner with antipasti, cheeses, olives, spicy Asian cuisine, mushroom omelets, onion tarts, quiches, and even sushi. [...]

By | 2023-05-18T14:36:28+00:00 May 18th, 2023|

Drink like a samurai with Devon

This mellow saké is ripe with mature cantaloupe that blends seamlessly into bittersweet cedar sap, exhibiting a soft astringency to brighten and refresh your palate. Great for fatty or spicy dishes, pair this saké with pork belly bao buns, your favorite rolls from Kenji Sushi on 18th, or go cross-cultural with some spicy kimchi udon! This mellow saké is ripe with mature cantaloupe that blends seamlessly into bittersweet cedar sap, exhibiting a soft astringency to brighten and refresh your palate. Great for fatty or spicy dishes, pair this saké with pork belly bao buns, your favorite rolls from Kenji [...]

By | 2023-06-20T21:18:24+00:00 April 28th, 2023|

What Are We Drinking Now? The Block Distilling Co. Spring Gin

Sierra has the yummiest (and easiest) springtime cocktail for you! The Block Distilling Co. Spring Gin & Sam's Infusions Hibiscus Agave Infusion Now that we're officially in the midst of Denver spring, it's time to bring on those yummy refreshing cocktails. The Block's Spring Gin has such lovely and delicate floral notes to it that pairing it with Sam's Hibiscus Infusion is truly a no-brainer. If you'd like a restaurant-quality cocktail but only want to put as much effort into it as making a G&T, then this recipe is for you (see below the photo). Sierra's Floral Fizz • Cup [...]

By | 2023-04-24T19:46:16+00:00 April 20th, 2023|

Wines For Your Spring Holidays!

Hams & Lambs & Briskets... Oh My! We have all of your spring holiday wine needs. No matter the occasion, or even if you just feel like celebrating for no reason at all, we have three wines that will pair perfectly with three delicious Easter and Passover main courses. For your ham... Hand-picked and grown with love. Lelièvre "Gris de Toul" Rosè of Gamay and Pinot Noir Côte de Toul, France $14.99/btl This is the perfect ham wine. A gorgeous nose of bright, red cherries and pink roses then flushes the cheek with that first taste of honeysuckle and soft [...]

By | 2023-04-05T20:36:10+00:00 April 4th, 2023|

What Are We Drinking Now? Castro Martin A20 Albariño

Sierra is having dreams of warm breezes with this Albariño. Castro Martin A20 Albariño While we endure these last few weeks of winter, I can't help but dream of the days of warm breezes and picnics in the park. When these waves of wishful thinking hit, I reach for a bottle that encapsulates the meaning of all things springtime. Lately, it has been the A2O Albariño from Castro Martin. This refreshing wine from Pontevedra, Spain, boasts aromas of juicy melon with hints of wildflowers. As you sip, you'll get notes of tangy yellow peach and rich nectarine that's rounded off [...]

By | 2023-03-17T20:55:30+00:00 March 17th, 2023|

What Are We Drinking Now? Jezebel

Abbie has a power due that doesn't overpower. Jezebel - White Blend & Pinot Noir Jezebel White Blend is a lovely blend of Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris. This is a crowd-pleasing, easy-drinking, crisp, light and refreshing white with just a touch of sweetness. I drank it with some salty and spicy chicken fried rice and it paired beautifully. Jezebel Pinot Noir is a high-quality and food-friendly red — a lovely Pinot out of Oregon that is light and earthy with leathery soft tannins and hints of dark cherries. I paired this wine with an Italian cauliflower crust pizza and [...]

By | 2023-03-17T20:27:41+00:00 March 10th, 2023|