Meritage Wines: A Fine Blend
Meritage Wines: A Fine Blend
From:
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/blogs/editor/natalie_maclean/index.html
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/blogs/editor/natalie_maclean/index.html
The Meritage Association, a group of more then 200 wineries, turns 20 this year. I think that that's something to celebrate. All of the member wineries blend some or all of the following grapes to make their wines: cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, malbec, petite verdot and merlot. Yep, that's also the traditional Bordeaux blend.
However, back in 1988, a smaller group of these winemakers wanted to establish their own unique reputation for these blends without having to refer to Bordeaux on the label. As I discussed with Lauren Chapin of the Kansas City Star: The intention of the Meritage Association was to simplify wine so that consumers would not have to memorize all grapes and blends. It is making its mark and was worth doing.
The group hosted a competition to find a name for the blends ...
... and received more than 6,000 entries. The winner was a blend itself of the words "merit" and "heritage." Here are a couple wines that blend these grapes that I've tried recently:
2004 Evans & Tate Cabernet Merlot Margaret River, Western Australia: A full-bodied wine with aromas of blackberries and mint. Closed with a screwcap. 14% alcohol XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100.
2004 Roy's Hill Cabernet Merlot CJ Pask, Hawke's Bay New Zealand: Medium-bodied with bright red fruit and mouth-watering acidity. Spicy notes. Bottled with a screwcap, yay. Pair with: salmon, pasta. 13% 750 mL $15.95 Score: 87/100.
I've also enjoyed the higher end bottles on the rare occasion, such as Dominus from California. Have you tried any recently that you've enjoyed?
However, back in 1988, a smaller group of these winemakers wanted to establish their own unique reputation for these blends without having to refer to Bordeaux on the label. As I discussed with Lauren Chapin of the Kansas City Star: The intention of the Meritage Association was to simplify wine so that consumers would not have to memorize all grapes and blends. It is making its mark and was worth doing.
The group hosted a competition to find a name for the blends ...
... and received more than 6,000 entries. The winner was a blend itself of the words "merit" and "heritage." Here are a couple wines that blend these grapes that I've tried recently:
2004 Evans & Tate Cabernet Merlot Margaret River, Western Australia: A full-bodied wine with aromas of blackberries and mint. Closed with a screwcap. 14% alcohol XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100.
2004 Roy's Hill Cabernet Merlot CJ Pask, Hawke's Bay New Zealand: Medium-bodied with bright red fruit and mouth-watering acidity. Spicy notes. Bottled with a screwcap, yay. Pair with: salmon, pasta. 13% 750 mL $15.95 Score: 87/100.
I've also enjoyed the higher end bottles on the rare occasion, such as Dominus from California. Have you tried any recently that you've enjoyed?
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