My wife and I have recently started enjoying Meritage wines. Anyone have any suggestions as to which is the best and best for the money. This is what I found on the Internet. Meritage Wine Information Meritage is pronounced Meh-rih-TIJ, rhyming with Heritage. This is a made-up word, registered as a US trademark, that wineries must pay to use on their wines. Back in 1989, wineries were all choosing names for their various blended wines, and it was getting hard to keep track of them all. An association was formed to try to define a "Bordeaux Blend" of grapes that was done on non-French soil. They had over 6,000 people submit choices for the name of this blend, and "Meritage" won. This is a combination of the words "Merit" and "Heritage", and shouldn't be pronounced as if it were French! What is in Meritage? First off, this can't be a mass-marketed wine. The release of Meritage must be under 25,000 cases. It has to be a "high-end" wine for the winery - it can't be their bargain basement offering. And finally, it has to be a blend of certain grapes. These are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot. There is also a white Meritage, which is far less common. This uses Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle. How does it Taste? Just like Bordeaux, since it's made with the same grapes!! There's a rich, full aroma to it. Depending on the particular blend, it can be blackberry, black cherry, spices, chocolate, and vanilla. Most Meritages have the Bordeaux signature flavors - cigar box, rich fruits, with a hefty feel. It's great with a steak, or with game meats - venison, pheasant, or so on! Meritage should be served at 64F for the best flavor.
Phil, there is a lot of wine out there for you to enjoy. Try focusing on food + wine pairings rather than just wine or food.
Probably hard to find, but Foxen Foothills Reserve Meritage is a sure winner. One that is always available but not touted as a Meritage is BV Tapestry. Available at Costco for about $35.00 ? I used to be a Bordeaux fanatic, but really can't afford the prices now. The $20 bottles of yesteryears are well over a hundred bucks now. But now CA meritage scratches my back. Stock up before it goes through the roof. There is nothing like a well blended Bordeaux/Meritage with a great prime rib or standing roast. Have it on my B-day every year.
what a coincidence. just tonite some one was asking me about the pronunciation of the name of this wine.
when i can't find a reasonably priced bordeaux or rhone at a restaurant, i will ALWAYS look for a meritage wine first. but it seems that if i go to our large liquor/wine store here in Houston .. Specs... i can always find a good Bordeaux for a reasonable price. to me, that is $12-$22/bottle
You may also enjoy some of the Zinfandel blends. I like (Ridge) Lytton Springs, to start with. http://www.wine.com/V6/Ridge-Lytton-Springs-Zinfandel-2005/wine/90617/detail.aspx?cid=CA_GoogleBase_90617 Jay
There are 5 grapes allowed for a Bordeaux red. Not all need to be used. Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc Peitit Verdot Malbec The Austrailians like to use Syrah/Shiraz in their blending. By law a wine must have 75% of the named grape. So a bottle labeled as Cabernet Suvignon may have 25% of other grape varietals. It is not mandatory to identify all the grapes used. A meritage could also be labeled as a single grape if it crossdd the 75% threshold but it is not typical. [Had a conversation with a Napa winery CEO about how their meritage had been a couple of percentage points below 75% and that if the winemaker had increased the blend just slightly as a cab it could have sold for more] From California some blends that we like are Phelps Insignia, St Supery Elu, Peter Michael Les Pavot and Cloud View. Jeff
This is one of my favorite wines of all time, rates up there with Opus One, Silver Oak, Phelps Insignia and you absolutely can't beat the price, ~$30 just an outstanding wine IMO. http://www.vinography.com/archives/2005/09/2003_orin_swift_cellars_the_pr.html I've only had the '03 so thats all I can speak for. Enjoy!
