Costco Connection - February 2010

PHOTODISC

A lovely red for Valentine’s Day Revisiting regal Merlot ;;;

wine connection

By Annette Alvarez-Peters

MERLOT WAS all the buzz in the new millennium, a go-to red that showed up at parties everywhere. But as the decade came to a close, the buzz had died down and Merlot had taken a backseat to several other delicious red grape varieties. In this new decade, perhaps it’s time to take a fresh look at Merlot and examine the improvements in quality.

Cabernet Franc, creating wines of rich fruit character that are very expressive of the terroir. Two of the most sought-after (and most

ANNETTE ALVAREZ-PETERS

expensive) Merlots, Château Pétrus and Château Le Pin, come from the prestigious area of Pomerol, which is to the north of Saint-Émilion.

Merlot is a wine with regal bloodlines. A classic red grape varietal, it’s the backbone of some of the finest French Bordeaux wines. Deeply pigmented and preferring warmer, even hot, climates, the grape is very cooperative in the vineyard: It ripens easily, can produce high yields and has the potential to produce quality wine. The grape has lower tannin levels and is a bit more supple and rounder in the mouth than

MICHAEL FALCO

The grape also performs wonderfully in domestic vineyards. Merlot is the third-best-selling varietal wine in the U.S.

California’s Napa and Sonoma valleys are ideal for growing Merlot and produce rich, fruit-forward wines. Flavors of blackberries, cherries, plums, red currants and oak are supported by a medium to full body with medium to higher alcohol levels.

Cabernet Sauvignon.

In Bordeaux, it finds a wonderful setting,
particularly on the Gironde River’s right
bank. That’s the home of Saint-Émilion, one
of the most famous right-bank districts
where Merlot is the predominant grape for
quality wine production. The district’s vine-
yards are planted on a plateau of sandy, grav-
elly soil. Here, Merlot is often blended with
Merlot is also a star player in California’s
fine Meritage (rhymes with “heritage”) blend.
Meritage (from the words “merit” and “heri-
tage”) is a trademarked wine that adheres
to standards for producing bottles with
traditional Bordeaux grape varieties. Red
Meritage wines must be made from at least
two grape varieties in a group consisting
of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet
Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Meritage
wines can be rich and luscious, and often
are a winery’s top bottling.

Annette Alvarez-Peters oversees Costco’s national wine, spirits and beer program.

FOR INFORMATION on Costco’s Kirkland Signature™ wines, go to Costco.com, click on “Costco Connection Magazine,” then “Kirkland Signature Wine Connection.” To find which warehouses carry wine, click on the“Beer, wine and spirits locator.”