Not Merely Merlot!

The origin of the Merlot's name means "young blackbird," describing the deep purple color of grapes.

Quick Facts
Merlot is widely planted and found in California, also in Washinton State, which makes some fantastic examples.South America, Hungary, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Croatia, Romania, Switzerland, Spain, Austria, and Italy.

Blends
Great on its own, Merlot lends itself to be a tremendous asset in blended wines. Of course, France in Bourdeaux, especially the right bank consisting of Pomerol and Saint Emilion. In Italy's in the Friuli region, and all over Australia and Washington.

Impact of the movie Sideways
In one sentence, the movie Sideways obliterated Merlot! "I am not, and F###### Merlot" for many, ended a lot of love for the wine. Conversely, the wine stated as "The day you open a '61 Cheval Blanc—that's a special occasion." is mainly Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The first choice, Chateau Petrus Pomerol, a rare and expensive wine, received a fax that it did not think much of, so it did not respond.
By using a Bordeaux wine, the thought was it would mitigate the disdain Miles had for Merlot.  Many found it too subtle. After the release of the movie, Merlot, already in sales decline was impacted further while Pinot Noir sales were up by 16%.

Merlot Profile
Like all other wines grapes, Merlot is a product of its environment.
The cool climate makes wine consisting of strawberries, some cherry, and herbs. Warm climates evoke notes of chocolate, smoke, and plum. Oak can also add influence with subtle cedar, smoke, cigar box, and bacon fat.

Merlot the Springtime Wine!
Not as dense Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot does fit a lot of rules when in need of a bigger wine! Grill-friendly and able to please a range of palates. It is time to let Merlot seek center-stage. You will not be disappointed!

Life After Cabernet Sauvignon

“The BIG Picture!”

With almost everybody loving Cabernet Sauvignon, it is now the most widely planted grape in the world! However, Cabernet Sauvignon leans towards the expensive side when seeking a great bottle! 

So we will explore fantastic wines though not as well-known, offering great alternatives to Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Wines

1. Nero D’Avola, Sicily

2. Merlot

3. Touriga Nacional, Portugal

4. Lagrein, Italy

5. Monastrell, Spain

The Grapes!

Nero D’Avola, Sicily

Nero D’Avola varies widely with the best examples worth seeking out! Black fruits and grippy tannins add power to a reasonable price. Try to avoid blends as they will tend to be less in intensity!

Merlot

Merlot can be full-bodied as Cabernet Sauvignon, and one must be selective! Good giveaways are 13.5 to 14.5 alcohol. Hillside Estates, think places like Howell Mountain, etc. Washington makes amazing Merlot that rivals their Cabernet. And if you like rugged, Chile and Argentina will do in a pinch! 

Touriga Nacional, Portugal

This grape should be in a segment, “Life after port!” Portuguese red wines are on the rise, and ones made with Touriga Nacional are some of the best. Please note, most already consider this grape the best for port production. Port was initially just a red wine made to travel. So now we are getting back to its roots!

Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon. Some of the best Portuguese dry reds include Touriga Nacional mixed with several of the other local varieties. By producing blends, the flavor profiles are extended and taste more complex. Check out a dry red wine from the Douro Valley. Touriga Francesa is often blended into the wine to soften and round out the flavor.

Lagrein, Italy

From a town in Northern Italy, in Alto Adige. This 16th Century grape offers peppery notes and sometimes bracing acidity. This wine blind can easily be confused with Cabernet Sauvignon. Lagrein tends to be slightly lighter in color and density than Cabernet Sauvignon.

Monastrell, Spain

Meaty and aromatic Monastrell (in France, Mourvedre) is traditionally sold young. Hot growing regions create smooth, plush, and luxurious wines. Most say it got its start in Spain, but France also offers wine from the Bandol region that tends towards the rugged side!

Focus Grape Cabernet Sauvignon

Planted all over the world and with prices ranging from every day to total sticker-shock! These thoughts make Cabernet Sauvignon the King of Wine!

Range of Flavor
During their creation, Cabernet Sauvignon does a good job reflecting their growing conditions. Climate and weather play into the wines final “Style.” In cold climates, they are bold rich and expressive wines chock-full of red to black fruits, tobacco, cigar box. Warmer climates, create riper styles with black fruits to cherries. Finally, in a quite warm area, the fruits can become jammy.

In all, Cabernet Sauvignon is considered full-bodied, with firm tannin [The pucker sensation needed to balance the fruit notes] and enough fruit to create many age-worthy examples. Fortunately, either because of technology or traditional winemaking practices, most are ready on release!

Quick notes
A savory compound Pyrazine in high quantities takes on a green bell pepper note. But like the slightly musty nature of some Pinot Noir, in small doses and a smooth edge bringing character and depth. Typical flavors are mint, fire-roasted peppers, and olives.

Cabernet Sauvignon has parents, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc! Cabernet Franc is also related to Merlot and Carménère.

Steak Pairing Guide
Filet Mignon, pair best with a Cabernet that has less fruit. Think Sonoma or Bordeaux. 
New York strip is the most open to different styles of Cabernet Sauvignon, explore! 
Ribeye, need to bolder tannic styles because they possess the strength to cleanse the palate and share in the overall taste.
Flank steaks require fruitier wines with some grip. Think Argentina, Australia, and Chile

The cooking style changes the rules!
Char-grilling steaks create a bolder flavor. Au Poivre a peppercorn studded steak and sauce also create a more prominent character needing those big Cabernets we all love! These two cooking styles also bring out the oak used in aging the wine. Pyrazines kick in their peppery notes to bring it all together! 

So in final, Dry, old world wine styles with juicy steaks and fruitier wines with leaner cuts of steak.

101 Steak Wine Corner, Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon ...

101 Steak Wine Corner. To Catch a unicorn, Lokoya Cabernet!

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101 Steak wine video series, enjoy! Caymus Special Select

German wines and sweetness

On a German wine label, the terms listed below are referring to ripeness AT HARVEST! Not how sweet the final product is.

To somewhat gauge wine sweetness, wines closer to 12% or above are fairly low in residual sugar and therefore less "sugar sweet." Fruit sweet is a matter of the grapes, winery, and winemaker.

As the ripeness levels increase the yield decreases and that contributes to the higher cost. Also, at the higher levels, multiple passes are not uncommon and sometimes only one or two grapes are picked off a cluster. Also at higher levels, the risk of losing the entire harvest becomes great.

Since "heat takes sweet" these wines are all but mandatory for spicier and hotter dishes. Think bringing balance to unbalanced dishes.

KABINETT
Usually lighter wines, made from ripe grapes, relatively low alcohol

SPÄTLESE (Late Harvest)
Fuller-bodied wines, made from fully ripened grapes. Because complete ripeness usually requires additional time on the vine, these grapes are normally harvested later in the harvest.

AUSLESE
Made from fully ripened bunches; selectively harvested (unripe or diseased berries are discarded)

BEERENAUSLESE
Full-bodied, fruity wines made from overripe grapes that usually are affected by Botrytis cinerea (noble rot); selectively harvested (berry selection)

TROCKENBEERENAUSLESE (TBA)
Highly concentrated wine made from botrytized grapes dried up almost to raisins; selectively harvested (berry selection)

EISWEIN (ice wine)
Made from grapes harvested and pressed while frozen (-7°C or 19.4°F); only the naturally concentrated juice is pressed out

Boutari Moschofilero

Greece
100% Moschofilero



Aromas of flowers and citrus fruit on the nose and palate, with white rose and orange blossom prevailing. A fresh wine, full and balanced, with a long aftertaste.

Nicolas Emereau Sancerre "Cuvee Signee"

Sancerre, Loire, France

100% Sauvignon Blanc





Aromatic blend of violet, citrus, mango and mineral notes. In the mouth, savor the sweetness, freshness and fullness of this wine!

Domaine Felines Jourdan

A.O.C. Picpoul de Pinot, Languedoc, France
100% Picpoul

This 100% estate grown Picpoul de Pinet clearly demonstrates just how under-rated this variety is – and how much promise the 2010 vintage in France shows!  You’ll find pretty aromas of white flowers, lemon/lime citrus, and anise/fennel notes to start. Then a crisp, minerally, texture with tart granny smith apple, green melon, and lemon/lime flavors and a clean, dry, finish.  This is just a great all-around daily white, with enough flavor and body to shine by itself at a party and enough complexity and depth to pair well with Oysters freshwater fish and lighter poultry dishes. Fresh cheeses. Even Asparagus.

Beckstoffer "Melee"

California
95% Grenache, 5% Syrah




Melee possess beautifully integrated and striking aromas of fresh alpine strawberries, rhubarb, and wet granite. The palate showcases a wealth of herbal notes combined with dried plums, apple skin and fresh cracked white pepper. A small amount of Syrah from the cooler region of California’s Mendocino coast adds structure and tremendous length while maintaining immense power, balance and structure.

Mathew Fritz Cabernet Sauvignon

Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot

Deep ruby color. This classic Alexander Valley Cabernet is medium bodied and has a very intense aroma of deep red and black fruits. It consists of the following flavors: cherry, cassis, raspberry, strawberry, sweet oak, spice olive and black tea. It  finishes with soft  velvety tannins and medium acidity.

J Cuvée 20 “Anniversary Label”

Russian River Valley, California
49% Chardonnay, 49% Pinot Noir, 2% Pinot Meunier

The non-vintage J Cuvée 20 “Anniversary Label” gracefully opens up with crisp lemon peel, honeysuckle and delicate yeast aromas. Upon entry, these notes are followed by a mix of Fuji apple, grapefruit and a sweet hint of angel food cake. The mid-palate flavors are interlaced with toast, caramel, warm pear, and almond. The acidity adds just enough liveliness and the citrus zest leads to a lingering lush finish. This is the perfect celebratory wine.

De Grendal Rose

Cape of Good Hope, South Africa



55% Pinotage and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon

Attractive strawberry pink color. Ample fruit reminds of red berries, strawberries and watermelon. The wine has a crisp, dry finish with a very well-structured natural acidity.

Conn Creek "Herricks Red"

Napa Valley, California



Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend of classic Bordeaux-style varieties with a hint of Syrah

Spiced cherry, black plum and chocolate aromas lead to a full bodied, textural wine, studded with layers of berries and caramel mocha. This diverse and pleasing wine lends itself to almost any situation.

Civello, White Wine

Sexier than Pinot Grigio, Naughtier than a Chardonnay

California

Start with the Pinot Gris from Monterey. Spanish grape Verdhelo which we get from the warmer Clarksburg area, add a splash of the German/Alsatian grape Gewürztraminer which we get from California’s coolest counties. Occasionally we add a little Dijon clone Chardonnay from Carneros. Sometimes we even add a little Muscato Fruliano or Albarino.

Citrus, apricots then bliss...
Finish is dry!

Gorman Winery "Zachary's Ladder" Red Wine Blend

Columbia Valley, Washington



45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 25% Mourvedre,
with the balance Syrah and Petit Verdot

Medium purple in color, it exhibits an aromatic array of Asian spices, violets, herbs, underbrush, cassis, and plum. Structured with thick, smoky and exotic notes on the palate with good depth and balance, Big and creamy wine with plenty of acidity, Friendly mocha flavors of new oak.

45% new French oak. This savory offering will evolve for 1-2 years and drink well through 2017

Bodega del Desierto 25/5

Alto Valle Rio Colorado, Argentina



100% Malbec

Medium-weight, with a nice smoked mesquite edge to the braised fig, blackberry and coffee notes. Dark, but stays fresh through the smoldering finish

Immortal Zin "Old Vines"

Lodi, California

100% Zinfandel

Deceptively subtle aromas of this wine combine red and black cherry, mineral, earthy rhubarb and red fruit, with slightly spicy characters. In the mouth, the palate is wrapped in a velvety layered mix of sweet red cherry, strawberry, cocoa and juicy red fruit followed by light toast and smooth, chiseled tannins, leading to a lengthy, almost breathless finish. This is a wine for great food, friends and conversation, or an intimate meal for two by a flickering fire