Costco Connection - February 2013

wine connection

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Where the artistry of the winemaker emerges Beauty in the blend

You’ll ;nd these ;ne blends at select Costco locations:

Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red Columbia Valley, WA Item #679756

Hedges Family Estate Red Mountain Red Mountain AVA, WA Item #63412

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Claret, California Item #211159

Nine Hats Red Wine Columbia Valley, WA Item #616286

Columbia Crest H3 Les Chevaux Horse Heaven Hills, WA Item #661918

Villa Antinori Toscana Tuscany, Italy Item #799299

Château de la Cour d’Argent Red Blend, Bordeaux, France Item #721314

NW

Now, limited percentages of Cabernet and Merlot are allowed in Chianti blends.

MEDIA BAKERY

By Annette Alvarez-Peters

RED WINE BLENDS are among the most popular wines today, but many times people may not even realize that’s what they are drinking. It’s common for winemakers to create unique combinations of varietals to give wine lovers the best of what nature provides in the vineyards. Think of it this way: Winemakers are similar to artists, using various components, dimensions and textures to delight enthusiasts with the fruits of their labor. And, depending on where the wine is made, winemakers around the world follow different rules, with deliciously different results.

In Bordeaux, for example, where world-class wines are made, the only varietals allowed are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec— often referred to as “Bordeaux varietals” in other parts of the world.

On the other hand, in California, winemakers can choose any grape varietal at their disposal and are known to produce fantastic red blends—similar to Bordeaux in composition, with beautiful dark cherry and ripe fruit-forward notes, amazing structure and elegance in an enormous range of styles. Trendy red blends can consist of Zinfandel, Syrah or Petite Syrah along with noble varietals made famous in Bordeaux, such as a Cabernet or Merlot. These deep, dark-colored wines, with flavors of juicy blackberry and plum, can entice a variety of palates at an incredible value.

Rhône’s noteworthy blends

As in Bordeaux, Rhône Valley laws dictate the varietals used for winemaking. In the north, Syrah is king, and (depending on the appellation) a small percentage of aromatic white grapes can be blended with it. Viognier adds perfume and texture, while Marsanne and Rousanne can take on lovely fruit flavors. The age-worthy northern Rhône wines can be powerful and bold, with remarkable elegance.

In southern Rhône, the beautiful vineyards scattered with large pebbles (called galet) are a winemaker’s dream. Only 13 varietals are allowed in this area, with Grenache being the dominant grape, followed by Syrah and Mourvèdre. Blending is key for the perfectly composed red wines in this appellation.

Due to the warmer vintages of recent years, the wines have a unique fruit ripeness with a fantastic texture. The stunning, age-worthy Châteauneuf-du-Pape displays aromas and flavors of red and black fruit, white pepper and minerals.

Changing times in Italy

In Tuscany, the predominant grape is Sangiovese, but the region is also home to spectacular growing areas for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Blending these three grape varietals creates the “Super Tuscans”— solid, dense and complex wines that demonstrate that Tuscan red wines do not all adhere to long-established blending laws in Italy.

Blending laws have also changed in Chianti. Traditionally, the famous wines from this region consisted of at least 70 percent Sangiovese, blended with Italian white grapes.

The wonders of Washington

Washington state is a diverse winegrowing region that is home to a wide range of grape varietals. The state lies on the same latitude as Bordeaux, and wine lovers often compare and contrast the Cabernet and Merlot blends from the Columbia Valley or Walla Walla to those from Bordeaux regions, such as Saint-Émilion or the Médoc. These Washington wines tend to deliver luscious, dark fruit, while Bordeaux products take on earthy flavors with notes of minerality.

Washington also excels at growing Syrah and Grenache—which are also dominant grapes in France’s Rhône Valley. These domestic wines are approachable and fruit forward, and offer some of the best values around. Whether the wine is dominated by Cabernet or Merlot, Syrah or Grenache, Washington winemakers have borrowed a blending page from the French and are producing excellent blends marked by amazing purity of fruit and outstanding acidity.

On your next trip to Costco, why not choose a red blend you have yet to experience? When you uncork your next bottle, I am sure you will have an appreciation for the winemaker as a true artist. Cheers! C

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

TO FIND which Costco warehouses carry wine, go to Costco.com, click on “Costco Connection Magazine,” then “Beer, Wine & Spirits Locator.” You can also find notes on Kirkland Signature™ wines under “Kirkland Signature Wine Connection.”