My mission is to inspire you to make wine a part of your daily life.  To accomplish this I want to expose you to new wines and deconstruct the complexity of wine.  I hope you learn something new along the way.






Wine Pick of the Month: Meritage
This is the name for blended style of red and white Bordeaux wine that do not originate in Bordeaux which has a protected designation.  In the rest of the world, this style of wine would be called a meritage. Wine makers must license the meritage trademark from its owner, the California based Meritage Alliance.  Members are found primarily in the United States.  The Meritage Alliance was founded in 1988 by a small group in the Napa Valley.  

The name Meritage was a blending of the words: merit and heritage.  Red Meritage must be made from a blend of at least 2 of the following varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, or Carmenere with no varietal comprising more than 90% of the blend.  White Meritage must be made  from a blend of two or more of the following varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion, Or Muscadelle du Bordelais with no varietal comprising more than 90% of the blend.

What to serve with a Red Meritage: Grilled Tri-Tip

Recipe: 
2 lbs tri-tip
Dry Rub:
1 Tbs garlic salt
1 Tbs onion powder
1 tbs thyme
1 tbs rosemary
1 tbs pepper
1 tbs Lawry's seasoning salt
Marinade:
1 cup red wine (merlot)
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbs Worchestershire Sauce
2 cans of beer

Rub spices onto tri-tip.  Add all marinade items together in a zip lock bag or glass dish.  Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.  Bring tri-tip to room temperature at least 30 minutes.  Cook tri tip for 25 minutes over medium heat grill (outdoor grill preferred) until it gets to internal temperature of 130-145 degrees.  Remove from heat and let rest for at least 5 minutes prior to serving.

Meritage Picks:

Meritage is typically a more expensive style of wine so my picks are a bit more expensive this month.

Francis Coppola 2010 Claret Black Dianad Collection, Black Label
Gold Medal 2012 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition $16.95

Trefethen 2010 Double T Red Wine, Napa Valley
$19.95

Hahn 2010 Meritage Central Coast
$15.95

Cameron Hughes 2010 Lot 335 Meritage (Oakville)
92 Points Wine Enthusiast 
$14.00

Glen Carlow 2003 Grand Classique Meritage (Pearl)
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
$20.00

For a splurge
Geyser Peak 2007 Reserve Alexandre Meritage (Alexander Valley)
$45.00