Meritage is a name for red and white Bordeaux-style wines without infringing on the Bordeaux (France) region’s legally protected designation of origin. Winemakers must license the Meritage trademark from its owner, the California-based Meritage Alliance.
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Is a Meritage a Bordeaux blend?
Meritage is a term used to describe Bordeaux-style red and white wines made by members of the Meritage Alliance. The wines must be made from at least two of the permitted grape varieties in the red or white wine categories, with no single variety making up more than 90 percent of the final blend.
What makes a wine a Meritage?
A red Meritage wine must contain at least two Bordeaux grapes from the following varietals: cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, malbec and petit verdot.A white Meritage is a blend of two grape varietals, either from sauvignon blanc, semillon and muscadelle du Bordelais.
Is Meritage a good wine?
Red Meritage wines historically have been among the world’s most highly rated wines. They are prized for their smooth, silky texture and complex, robust structure. While they age beautifully – often for decades – most are also very drinkable in their younger years.
What French style of wine does Meritage emulate?
They are among my most prized bottles. The word Meritage is a mashup of "meritorious heritage,” and such wines aim to emulate Bordeaux traditions. They are designed to be the best wines from a particular winery. A red Meritage is expected to be a producer’s most expensive wine.
What is a Bordeaux blend?
A Bordeaux red blend usually combines two or more of the classic Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Carmenère and Malbec. A white blend would most likely include at least two from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle.
What wine is like Meritage?
Keep in mind that a Meritage can be a white wine if the blend is based on Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle, but most of the time I see red Meritages, which can include grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
What wines are in Bordeaux?
The Bordeaux Blend
One of the most important things to know about Bordeaux wines is that they are a blend of grape varieties. The red Bordeaux Blend is one of the most copied around the world and it includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec (with tiny amount of Carménère).
Should Meritage wine be chilled?
65-70° F: Best for full-bodied power-houses. The flavors found in these tannic and “chewy” reds show best just slightly above room temperature to retain bold qualities. Perfect for: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Meritage and Bordeaux Blends, Rhônes, Nebbiolo, Barolo, Rioja, Malbec and Zinfandel.
Is Opus One a Meritage?
A United States trademarked designation, adopted in 1988 by the Meritage Association, for California wines that are a blend of the varieties of grapes used in Bordeaux. Such wines as Opus One, Insignia, Cain Five, and Magnificat would all qualify as Meritage if their producers chose to have them so designated.
What does Meritage pair with?
Pairs well with red, savory meats, grilled or roasted. Foods and Entrees that usually pair: Beef, lamb, game, chicken, turkey, veal or pork grilled, roasted or braised, chili, hamburgers, meatloaf, mushrooms, cheese based pasta, risotto.
What does Meritage taste like?
A meritage tastes 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.
How do you pronounce wine Meritage?
Although many people, including many wine experts, have a tendency to Frenchify the word “Meritage” by pronouncing its last syllable with a “zh” sound, as in the U.S. pronunciation of “garage,” the Meritage Alliance specifically states that the word should be pronounced to rhyme with “heritage”, that is, Meritage
Where did the term Meritage come from?
Meritage combines “merit,” reflecting the quality of the grapes, with “heritage,” which recognizes the centuries-old tradition of blending, long considered to be the highest form of the winemaker’s art. Meritage wines are growing in popularity and are currently the second fastest growing wine category in the industry.
What is Malbec wine?
What Is Malbec Wine? Malbec wine is known for its deep purple color and full body. Malbec grapes are small and dark in color with very thick skins, producing a wine that has rich fruity flavors and medium tannin levels. Malbec wines are often higher in alcohol than Merlot or Pinot Noir.
Where did the name Meritage come from?
The chosen name ‘Meritage’, is a combination of the words ‘merit’ and ‘heritage’. ‘Merit’ was chosen to reflect the quality of the grapes while ‘Heritage’ was chosen to recognize the centuries-old blending process that was involved in making the wine.
What does Bordeaux wine taste like?
The taste of Bordeaux wine from the Left Bank delivers fruit scents and flavors of cassis, blackberry, dark cherry, vanilla, black cherry, coffee bean, spice and licorice. The wines are often concentrated, powerful, firm and tannic. Depending on the specific wine, it can appear to be austere in character in its youth.
Is Cabernet Sauvignon the same as Bordeaux?
A Bordeaux can be a Cabernet Sauvignon but a Cabernet is often not a Bordeaux. Welcome to the complex world of wine names.Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape, and one of the most famous in the world. Bordeaux is a region in France that is known for its Cabernet production, among other things.
Is Bordeaux sweet or dry?
Taste and Flavor Profile
The red Bordeaux blend is a dry, medium to full-bodied wine high in tannins with medium acidity. Because a Bordeaux blend can be made with several different red wine grapes from different regions in differing proportions, the color, amount of acidity, texture, and exact flavors can vary.
What does GSM wine taste like?
GSM are the initials for a type of wine blend. The acronym “GSM” is a short-hand reference for a red wine blended from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. GSM wines are known for their bright fruit, extroverted aromas of ripe fruit, dried sage and herbs, and a grippy, pepper-and-herb finishes that echoes the wines’ aroma.
Where is Tempranillo grown?
Spain
Tempranillo originated in the Iberian Peninsula and the vast majority of plantings are still in Spain, although it is also an essential component of the Port wines of Portugal. Tempranillo has spread to Spanish-influenced new world wine regions like Mexico and California.
