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A typical Merlot is light on the palate with aromas and flavors of black cherry, currant, cedar and green olive. Typically, it is not complex … at least not when compared to Cabernet Sauvignon and other red grape varietals. The tannins (what make a wine “dry”) range somewhat, but are usually less than that of other reds. This makes Merlot an excellent choice when introducing someone to red wine. We’ve featured here four different wineries’ interpretations of this classic red. Each gets the Alcoholmanac stamp of approval. Go out and buy these reds today and join us in our tastings. Let’s begin, shall we?
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Featured Wines -
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By Pete Bressert, Balzac Wine Bar
Somontano - Spain
Vintage: 2009
Somontano is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) for wines, created in 1984, and located in the county of the same name, in the province of Huesca, (Aragon). It borders the regions of Sobrarbe and Ribagorza in the North, Hoya de Huesca in the West, the Monegros in the South, and the region of Litera in the East. Wine production is centred around the town of Barbastro. The name Somontano, as its Latin roots suggest, means “beneath the mountain” – this perfectly defines this geographic area, which spreads out from the foothills of the Pyrenees down to the Ebro valley. The DO includes 43 municipalities, most of them in the Somontano area, and a few bordering on Ribagorza and the Monegros. There are over 4000 hectares of vines and about 500 individual grape-growers.
La Miranda Garnacha Blanca 2009 is a unique wine, due to the grape variety, just cultivated in Spain, specifically in Aragon. It shows a yellow color with green highlights.
High aromatic intensity combines fruit aromas, citrus with some spicy nuances. The mouth is soft, with a moderate and balanced acidity with its own special personality.
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Featured Wines -
Whites
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By Pete Bressert, Balzac Wine Bar
Rueda - Spain
Vintage: 2009
Rueda is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) for wines located in the Community of Castile and Leon. It comprises 72 municipalities, of which 53 are in the province of Valladolid, 17 are in the north of the province of Segovia, and two are in the north of the province of Ávila. Rueda is known primarily for its fine white wines based on the verdejo grape. The main authorized white varieties are Verdejo, Viura and Sauvignon Blanc, while the authorized red varieties are Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Garnacha.
The authorized yield for white varieties is 8,000 kg/ha, though in practice the yields are only between one quarter and one half of this level. Most new vineyards are planted with rows at 3 m intervals to allow mechanization. Irrigation is only allowed under special circumstances. Vines are often trained close to the ground to resist the strong winds that are characteristic of the area.
The Verdejo, Viura and Sauvignon Blanc blend has year after year been named one of Spain’s and the world’s great white wine values. The intense floral aromatics, freshness and wonderful texture are the result of the high elevation plantings in lime and gravel soils with good drainage that give rise to some of the best quality white wine grapes in Spain. In 2009, Basa is an 85% Verdejo, 10% Viura and 5% Sauvignon Blanc blend, giving it a more important focus on the native Verdejo than in the past. As always, it is a fantastically refreshing yet serious bottle of wine, with a range of aromas and flavors from stony mineral notes to citrus to tropical fruit.
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Featured Wines -
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By Pete Bressert, Balzac Wine Bar
Rais Baixas - Spain
Vintage: 2008
The Rías Baixas is the most well-known region of Galicia and produces some of Spain's most sought-after dry white wines based on the Albariño grape. While wines have been produced in this region for some time, exports of the wine to other areas of Europe didn't begin until the 16th century and was kept at a steady pace until the phylloxera epidemic devastated the region's vineyards. At the turn of the 20th century, many of the region's vineyards were replanted with low-quality hybrid vines and some plantings of the Sherry grape Palomino that didn't produce as well in the cooler climate of Rías Baixas. In the 1970s, growers began to replant native varieties like Albariño. Throughout the region, 12 grape varieties are permitted, including the red wine grapes of Mencia and Espadeiro, but Albariño accounts for 90% of the region's production.
Vibrant lemon-green in color, the Lícia Albariño exhibits a classic expression of the Albariño grape: intense and layered aromas of grapefruit, candied lemons, quince jelly, fresh herbs, green apples and a streak of minerality. On the palate it is full-bodied and well-balanced, with a long and persistent finish. This wine pairs deliciously with grilled fish—or any kind of seafood—Asian cuisines, rice dishes, salads and grilled vegetables.
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Featured Wines -
Whites
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By Pete Bressert, Balzac Wine Bar
Vinho Verde - Portugal
Vinho Verde is produced from grapes which do not reach great doses of sugar. Therefore, Vinho Verde does not require an aging process. Vinho Verde wines are now largely exported and are the most exported Portuguese wines after the port wine. The most popular variety in Portugal and abroad are the white wines, but there are also red and, more rarely, rosé wines. A notable variety of Vinho Verde is Vinho Alvarino, which is a special variety of white Vinho Verde; the production of Alvarinho is restricted by EU law to a small sub-region of Monção, in the northern part of the Minho region in Portugal. It has more alcohol (11.5 to 13%) than the other varieties (8 to 11.5%).
The current vintage produced one of the best vinho verdes ever with luscious flavors of lemon meringue pie. The granitic soil, the climactic conditions and the grape varieties of the Vinho Verde region of Portugal’s NW give this famous wine its special characteristics of crisp fruit and delicate aroma. Lightness and freshness make this low alcohol crisp white wine ideal by itself and as a perfect complement to seafood, hors d’oeuvres, chicken and veal. Try it with stir fry, spicy dishes and oysters.
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