I must say, California wine country is simply stunning in the Fall! During our recent visit to the legendary North Coast, which encompasses Napa and Sonoma counties among others, we encountered towering trees cloaked in their seasonal reddish, gold splendor, refreshingly chillsome evenings (we ARE from Florida after all!), as well as many amazing wines. While I look forward to sharing them with you over the coming weeks, I was especially inspired to feature one wine in particular as our latest Wine of the Week, the 2014 Failla Syrah Estate Vineyard.
While Failla primarily focuses on cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, owner and winemaker Ehren Jordan‘s eclectic winemaking experiences and sheer vinous talent allow him to work adeptly with many different grape varieties extremely well. As a fan of Syrah from the Northern Rhone, I was very impressed with his ability to craft a California wine that so closely approximates its French counterpart while allowing its terroir, and the character of the new Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, to shine through. Please read on to discover more about this very special wine that’s just perfect for enjoying during the chilly Winter months.
Who it’s from: Winemaker Ehren Jordan and his wife Anne-Marie founded Failla in 1998 and together they specialize in sourcing cool climate fruit from the extreme coastal areas of Sonoma County. Jordan draws inspiration from his time spent in France, namely a 2-year apprenticeship in Cornas in the Northern Rhone where he specialized in Syrah, which continues to inform his winemaking style. He also held positions in California, first at Neyers Vineyards and then at Turley Wine Cellars, where he spent almost 20 years crafting world class Zinfandel. Jordan is perhaps most passionate about producing balanced, elegant, food-friendly wines that are expressive of their terroir.
Where it’s from: This wine hails from Failla’s 14-acre Estate Vineyard located in the Fort Ross Seaview AVA, a sub-region of the vast Sonoma Coast AVA, which was officially approved in 2011. Vineyards here are situated in the steep coastal ridges above the fog line where most of the surrounding terrain is too steep to farm. Out of over 27,000 acres in the AVA, only 550 are actually usable! Only Failla and a few other esteemed vintners were willing to brave the uniquely challenging conditions including Flowers, Marcassin, Hirsch, Pahlmeyer, Martinelli, Del Dotto and Peter Michael to name a few. The region’s unusually rugged terrain, high elevations, cool maritime climate and marine soils create the perfect environment for growing exceptional cool climate grape varieties.
“To me ‘terroir’ is distilling a place down to its essence using grapes as the medium.” – Ehren Jordan
Originally planted in 1998, Failla’s Estate Vineyard is located only a few miles from the Pacific Ocean and has been organically and dry farmed since the beginning. Jordan harvested the first grapes from the vineyard in 2001 and has increased production ever since. The special Estate Vineyard, located at approximately 1,400 ft. elevation, is currently planted to cool climate grape varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.
This Wine by the (geeky) Numbers:
Primary Fermentation: Native Yeast
Malolactic Fermentation: Native
Elevage: 11 months, aged Sur-Lie in French oak barrique, 25% new
Filtration: Unfined & Unfiltered
Grape variety: 100% Syrah, 20 yr. old vines
ABV: 13.9%
Production: 382 cases
Production notes: “Our 100% whole cluster “Estate Vineyard” Syrah was gently foot-tread, fermented with native yeasts, and basket pressed to barrel, where it competed a native ML conversion and rested on its lees until being bottled unfined and unfiltered.”
The Glamorous Gourmet’s Tasting Note: “From its lush, purplish-red hue to enticing aromas of spiced black fruit, savory herbs and a hint of lavender, this delightful expression of California Syrah simultaneously evokes the elegance of the Northern Rhone. On the palate, this stunner reveals savory layers of blackberry, plum, licorice and black pepper while demonstrating impressive complexity and richness without seeming heavy. All components harmoniously converge on the imminently satisfying, lengthy finish.”
Pair it with: Rosemary & Salt crusted Prime Rib, Roasted Rack of Lamb, Pasta with Wild Boar Ragu
Retail Price: $58 (for purchasing information, please e-mail stephanie [at] theglamorousgourmet [dot] com or simply call 561.317.6663)
Bon appétit,
The post Wine of the Week: 2014 Failla Syrah Estate Vineyard, Fort Ross-Seaview, California appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
With Thanksgiving and its legion of leftovers finally behind us - buh-bye turkey and stuffing - it's time to change it up and indulge in some deliciously different flavors!
And since it's officially sweater weather (and you have to say it like this!) it's prime time for some comforting, satisfying soups as well. So get cozy and comfy and prepare to enjoy our crazy delicious recipe for Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup.
"But I don't LIKE cabbage!" you might say.
Well, I used to think that too, but that's only because you haven't tried this soup yet. Only a few short years ago, my husband, a gent of Ukrainian descent, expressed a craving for classic Ukrainian dishes such as stuffed cabbage and pierogies. While I had sampled pierogies during the "high carb/no fat" diet trend of the 90's (yum!), I had never had cabbage before. To be honest, the smell of it never really appealed to me and it seemed rather, um, unglamorous.
But in the spirit of culinary adventure, I did some research and came up with this utterly delicious and comforting recipe for Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup that's guaranteed to win over even the staunchest anti-cabbage-ite.
This thick, rich soup features thin strips of Savoy cabbage braised in a delightful, savory broth featuring ground beef, pork, garlic, onions and tomatoes accentuated by dill, coriander, allspice and smoked paprika. The synergy of these ingredients is definitely greater than the sum of its parts, providing that 1 + 1 = 3 experience we all seek. For the anti-cabbage-ites you're going to have to trust me on this, but you WILL be thanking me later.
As for a wine pairing, Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup was a head-scratcher at first. But then I did what I usually do on the, ahem, rare occasion I'm stumped for a wine pairing: head to Italy! Italian wines are so incredibly food friendly, they can often help you out of a bind when you're not sure what to pour. Both Italian whites and reds have wonderful acidity and, with so many to choose from, you're bound to find a wine with a similar weight as your dish.
For this soup, I recommend light-bodied reds such as Barbera d'Asti or Chianti Classico which complement the ground beef, spices and tomato elements of this soup.
Whether you’re Ukrainian or not, I hope you enjoy this delicious recipe for Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup as much as we do. If you're anything like the Miskews, it might just find its way into regular rotation at your home during chilly sweater weather! Stay tuned for more seasonally-inspired, supremely satisfying recipes and also, do YOU have a favorite comfort food? If so, I'd love to hear about it in the Comments section below!
"COMFORT FOOD: SMOKY STUFFED CABBAGE SOUP"
Author: Stephanie Miskew | The Glamorous Gourmet
Serves: 6
Ingredients
4 Tablespoons good olive oil
1 cup uncooked, long grain white rice
6 cups chicken stock
2 lbs ground meatloaf mix (beef & pork)
1 yellow onion, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves minced
1 carrot, peeled & chopped
Small head of Savoy cabbage, thinly sliced
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 cup tomato sauce
Handful of Italian parsley, roughly chopped
3 Tablespoons fresh dill, roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 1/2 teaspoons coriander
Bay leaf
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
) In a deep pot, heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the meat mixture and brown, about 5-7 minutes. While browning, season the meat with the coriander, allspice, smoked paprika, Kosher salt & black pepper.
) Once meat is browned, add bay leaf, carrot, onion & garlic and cook 3-4 minutes, until veggies begin to soften. Then add cabbage to the pot and begin to wilt.
) Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce & 4 cups of chicken stock to the pot. Cover the pot and bring soup to a boil on high heat and then reduce to simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
) Meanwhile, in a separate pot heat the remaining 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the uncooked rice to the pot and toss to coat in the oil, allowing it to slightly toast. Add remaining 2 cups of chicken stock to the pot and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook rice for 18-20 minutes or until rice is tender enough to eat.
) Back at the soup pot, add the chopped parsley and dill, stir to combine and season to taste with Kosher salt and black pepper.
) Ladle soup into a bowl and top with a scoop of the cooked rice (I use my ice cream scoop for this!). Garnish with any extra parsley and dill and serve immediately.
With Thanksgiving and its legion of leftovers finally behind us – buh-bye turkey and stuffing – it’s time to change it up and indulge in some deliciously different flavors!
And since it’s officially sweater weather (and you have to say it like this!) it’s prime time for some comforting, satisfying soups as well. So get cozy and comfy and prepare to enjoy our crazy delicious recipe for Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup.
“But I don’t LIKE cabbage!” you might say. Well, I used to think that too, but that’s only because you haven’t tried this soup yet. Only a few short years ago, my husband, a gent of Ukrainian descent, expressed a craving for classic Ukrainian dishes such as stuffed cabbage and pierogies. While I had sampled pierogies during the “high carb/no fat” diet trend of the 90’s (yum!), I had never had cabbage before. To be honest, the smell of it never really appealed to me and it seemed rather, um, unglamorous.
But in the spirit of culinary adventure, I did some research and came up with this utterly delicious and comforting recipe for Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup that’s guaranteed to win over even the staunchest anti-cabbage-ite.
This thick, rich soup features thin strips of Savoy cabbage braised in a delightful, savory broth featuring ground beef, pork, garlic, onions and tomatoes accentuated by dill, coriander, allspice and smoked paprika. The synergy of these ingredients is definitely greater than the sum of its parts, providing that 1 + 1 = 3 experience we all seek. For the anti-cabbage-ites you’re going to have to trust me on this, but you WILL be thanking me later.
As for a wine pairing, Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup was a head-scratcher at first. But then I did what I usually do on the, ahem, rare occasion I’m stumped for a wine pairing: head to Italy! Italian wines are so incredibly food friendly, they can often help you out of a bind when you’re not sure what to pour. Both Italian whites and reds have wonderful acidity and, with so many to choose from, you’re bound to find a wine with a similar weight as your dish. For this soup, I recommend light-bodied reds such as Barbera d’Asti or Chianti Classico which complement the ground beef, spices and tomato elements of this soup.
Ukrainian or not, I hope you enjoy our delicious recipe for Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup as much as we do. If you’re anything like the Miskews, it might just find its way into regular rotation at your home during chilly sweater weather! Stay tuned for more seasonally-inspired, ssatisfying recipes and also, do YOU have a favorite comfort food? If so, I’d love to hear about it in the Comments section below!
Bon appétit,
The post Cozy & Comforting: Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
"As long as we have wine, Thanksgiving will be fine." - Steve Miskew
languedoc-thanksgiving-herb-jars
languedoc-thanksgiving-map
languedoc-thanksgiving-turkey-1
languedoc-thanksgiving-minervois-herbs
languedoc-thanksgiving-stuffing-bread
languedoc-thanksgiving-stuffing-bowl
languedoc-thanksgiving-lavender-potatoes
languedoc-thanksgiving-pirlet-corbieres
The Miskews are fresh off a trip to California wine country, and while very travel weary, we're blissfully content from indulging in some of the amazing food and wine the Napa Valley has to offer. More on that in the coming weeks but here we are with Thanksgiving a week away (how did THAT happen?) as well as the impending question of which dishes to prepare and, perhaps more importantly, which wines to pair with them.If you're a Francophile you may be thinking of breaking out the Burgundy or Bordeaux to pair with your holiday feast but I urge you to consider a French region you might not readily think of, the Languedoc. This diverse region spans the sunny Mediterranean coast and is the largest wine making region in the country. But what makes the region's wines so perfect for Thanksgiving is a little term known as, garrigue. Garrigue refers to the aromas and flavors of the wild, plentiful vegetation that grows throughout the region, consisting largely of herbs such as sage, rosemary and thyme as well as the regional staple, lavender. These delightful aromas and flavors are also expressed in the region's wines, so what better selections to pair with your Thanksgiving feast?I recently received a delightful package containing a "Garrigue Kit" which consisted of jars of dried herbs, a few bottles of Languedoc wine and Thanksgiving-inspired recipes to do a little experimenting just in time for the holidays. I'm happy to report the wines highlighted the flavors of the Thanksgiving dishes beautifully and, for these prices, they are incredibly hard to beat and perfect for entertaining a crowd! Below are the pairings we enjoyed most - please click on the name of the wine or dish for purchasing or recipe information:1.) Oven Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter: This traditional incarnation of the holiday bird by Chef TylerFlorence is simply slathered with sage butter (over AND under the skin to keep the breast meat from drying out) and then roasted to a delightful golden hue. The resulting savory flavors and sage-scented meat and crispy skin harmonized beautifully with the 2014 Chateau de Landure Minervois ($10). This medium-bodied red is a blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre exhibiting enticing aromas of red and black fruit and spice. On the palate, flavors of cherry, blackberry, leather, black pepper and garrigue accompany supple tannins and a lovely, pleasing acidity.2.) Farmhouse Herbed Stuffing: If you love a simple, meatless, old-school stuffing that highlights Thanksgiving's glorious, traditional herbs then THIS stuffing recipe is for you! While we enjoyed this recipe, I recommend making your own bread cubes by simply toasting day old bread in the oven and then stuffing as much of the mixture into the bird to cook as possible. We really enjoyed the flavors of this stuffing paired with the 2014 Chateau de Lancyre Coteaux de Languedoc Pic St. Loup Vielles Vignes ($24). This red blend of 65% Syrah and 35% Grenache, has savory notes of blackberry, plum, cassis and earth with supple tannins and a garrigue-tinged finish. The wine's food friendly acidity also makes it a very versatile pairing at the holiday table.3.) Lavender Roasted Potatoes (scroll down for recipe): I must admit, I've never incorporated the flavor of lavender in my Thanksgiving meal but I'm really looking forward to it this year! For this recipe I used both yellow and purple potatoes to complement the color and flavor of the lavender. While these roasted potatoes also pair nicely with a lavender-imbued rosé, we especially liked them with the 2014 Luc Pirlet Corbières ($10), a medium-bodied blend of 50% Carignan, 30% Grenache and 20% Syrah. This wine exudes fragrant aromatics of blue and black fruit and earth while notes of plum, blackberry, cassis and black pepper delight on the palate while beautifully accentuating the lavender in the dish.To learn more about the wines of France's dynamic Languedoc region, please click here. I hope you have the chance to enjoy these remarkably food friendly wines over the holidays and if you do, please be sure to let me know in the Comments section below! For more delicious Thanksgiving recipes or wine recommendations from The Glamorous Gourmet, please click here. If you're preparing the holiday meal this year you also won't want to miss our Thanksgiving Day Cheat Sheet with oodles of helpful information.Bon appétit,
"Lavender-Roasted Potatoes"
Recipe Type
:
Side Dish
Author:
Stephanie Miskew | The Glamorous Gourmet
Serves:
4-6
Ingredients
1.5 lbs. small yellow new potatoes
1.5 lbs. small purple splendor or other purple potatoes
2 1/2 Tablespoons good olive oil
2 Tablespoons dried culinary lavender
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
) Wipe off unpeeled potatoes with a damp cloth or paper towel and place on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer.
) Add olive oil, salt and pepper and 2 Tablespoons of the lavender to the potatoes and toss well to coat. Bake in the pre-heated oven for approximately 40 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking. Potatoes are done when a knife inserts easily into potatoes.
) Serve immediately garnished with remaining dried lavender!
3.5.3208
“As long as we have wine, Thanksgiving will be fine.” – Steve Miskew
The Miskews are fresh off a trip to California wine country, and while very travel weary, we’re blissfully content from indulging in some of the amazing food and wine the Napa Valley has to offer. More on that in the coming weeks but here we are with Thanksgiving a week away (how did THAT happen?) as well as the impending question of which dishes to prepare and, perhaps more importantly, which wines to pair with them.
If you’re a Francophile you may be thinking of breaking out the Burgundy or Bordeaux to pair with your holiday feast but I urge you to consider a French region you might not readily think of, the Languedoc. This diverse region spans the sunny Mediterranean coast and is the largest wine making region in the country. But what makes the region’s wines so perfect for Thanksgiving is a little term known as, garrigue. Garrigue refers to the aromas and flavors of the wild, plentiful vegetation that grows throughout the region, consisting largely of herbs such as sage, rosemary and thyme as well as the regional staple, lavender. These delightful aromas and flavors are also expressed in the region’s wines, so what better selections to pair with your Thanksgiving feast?
I recently received a delightful package containing a “Garrigue Kit” which consisted of jars of dried herbs, a few bottles of Languedoc wine and Thanksgiving-inspired recipes to do a little experimenting just in time for the holidays. I’m happy to report the wines highlighted the flavors of the Thanksgiving dishes beautifully and, for these prices, they are incredibly hard to beat and perfect for entertaining a crowd! Below are the pairings we enjoyed most – please click on the name of the wine or dish for purchasing or recipe information:
1.) Oven Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter: This traditional incarnation of the holiday bird by Chef Tyler Florence is simply slathered with sage butter (over AND under the skin to keep the breast meat from drying out) and then roasted to a delightful golden hue. The resulting savory flavors and sage-scented meat and crispy skin harmonized beautifully with the 2014 Chateau de Landure Minervois ($10). This medium-bodied red is a blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre exhibiting enticing aromas of red and black fruit and spice. On the palate, flavors of cherry, blackberry, leather, black pepper and garrigue accompany supple tannins and a lovely, pleasing acidity.
2.) Farmhouse Herbed Stuffing: If you love a simple, meatless, old-school stuffing that highlights Thanksgiving’s glorious, traditional herbs then THIS stuffing recipe is for you! While we enjoyed this recipe, I recommend making your own bread cubes by simply toasting day old bread in the oven and then stuffing as much of the mixture into the bird to cook as possible. We really enjoyed the flavors of this stuffing paired with the 2014 Chateau de Lancyre Coteaux de Languedoc Pic St. Loup Vielles Vignes ($24). This red blend of 65% Syrah and 35% Grenache, has savory notes of blackberry, plum, cassis and earth with supple tannins and a garrigue-tinged finish. The wine’s food friendly acidity also makes it a very versatile pairing at the holiday table.
3.) Lavender Roasted Potatoes (scroll down for recipe): I must admit, I’ve never incorporated the flavor of lavender in my Thanksgiving meal but I’m really looking forward to it this year! For this recipe I used both yellow and purple potatoes to complement the color and flavor of the lavender. While these roasted potatoes also pair nicely with a lavender-imbued rosé, we especially liked them with the 2014 Luc Pirlet Corbières ($10), a medium-bodied blend of 50% Carignan, 30% Grenache and 20% Syrah. This wine exudes fragrant aromatics of blue and black fruit and earth while notes of plum, blackberry, cassis and black pepper delight on the palate while beautifully accentuating the lavender in the dish.
To learn more about the wines of France’s dynamic Languedoc region, please click here. I hope you have the chance to enjoy these remarkably food friendly wines over the holidays and if you do, please be sure to let me know in the Comments section below! For more delicious Thanksgiving recipes or wine recommendations from The Glamorous Gourmet, please click here. If you’re preparing the holiday meal this year you also won’t want to miss our Thanksgiving Day Cheat Sheet with oodles of helpful information.
Bon appétit,
The post Thanksgiving-Inspired Pairings from the South of France appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
October is officially Merlot Month (aka #MerlotMe on Twitter) which celebrates the long awaited comeback of this most maligned grape variety. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to talk about this happy occasion recently with John Favole and the team at WPTV Channel 5.
While everyone likes to blame the 2004 movie Sideways for Merlot's vinous demise, Miles' rant was just the final nail in the grape's coffin at the time. The truth is, its popularity had been declining for awhile. At the height of Merlot's fame, demand was so great some growers were pulling up other, less-profitable vines in order to make room for more of it. This meant planting Merlot vines in less than optimal sites, resulting in the mass production of poor quality wine.
Unfortunately, it became more about quantity than quality.
Now, after almost a decade of vinous obscurity, it's the quality vineyards tended by the true Merlot experts that mostly remain. But what's so great about Merlot anyway and WHY are we celebrating it with Merlot Month? For those who are newbies or just need a reminder, on the likeability scale, Merlot rates pretty high!
Known for its plush, lush notes of cherry, plum and chocolate and soft, supple tannins...frankly, what's NOT to like? It's inherent characteristics also make it approachable at a young age, unlike its vinous counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape known for aggressive tannins and bold flavors that often need time in the bottle to soften. While both grapes make delicious varietal wines, the two also complement each other beautifully which is why they are often blended together.
While Merlot was officially "born" in France and is still the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux, wonderful examples of the wine can be found in many countries across the globe including Italy, Australia, Chile and the US. Each country imparts its own unique stamp on this grape which can be somewhat of a chameleon depending on where it's grown. In cooler climates, Merlot is known for exhibiting notes of black and blue fruit, minerals, licorice and herbs. Warmer climates accentuate the grape's fruitiness, highlighting cherry, candied berry, mocha, spice and soft, sweet tannins.
When it comes to food, due to its supple, fruity nature, Merlot pairs wonderfully with a variety of different dishes. Its hearty texture makes it perfect for serving with hard cheeses, cheeseburgers, stews, roasted chicken and steak. Those with a sweet tooth can also enjoy it with chocolate-based desserts that complement its lush, fruity tendencies.
I hope you enjoy #MerlotMonth and continue to enjoy this delicious grape all season long! Please check out my list of Merlot recommendations at a variety of different price points. If you'd like to watch the entire WPTV segment, or for more details on the featured wines, please scroll down for all the deets. Also, if there's a particular brand of Merlot you enjoy I'd love to hear about it in the Comments section below. Be sure to share your vinous exploits on Twitter using the hashtag #MerlotMe and check out what other wine lovers are drinking as well.
1.) Falesco Merlot Tellus, Umbria, Italy ($14): This stylish Italian gem is crafted from 100% Merlot and exhibits floral-infused aromas of lush dark fruit + spice. On the palate, mouth-filling flavors of wild strawberry, plum and spice are accompanied by delightfully grippy tannins and a lengthy finish.
2.) Mollydooker Merlot The Scooter, McLaren Vale, Australia ($25): This whimsical producer always delivers on flavor and this delightful, full-bodied Merlot is no exception! This wine is rife with aromas of black cherry and violet while on the palate, opulent notes of raspberry, strawberry and plum are accentuated by soft, supple tannins and hints of mocha and dried herbs.
3.) Peju Province Merlot, Napa Valley, CA ($45): As a longtime fan of Peju’s Cabernet Franc I was delightful to discover winemaker Sara Fowler’s Merlot years ago! This exceptional wine exhibits fragrant aromas of red fruit, spice + toasty oak while on the palate it delivers lush notes of pomegranate, cherry and blackberry are accentuated by hints of vanilla and spice.
4.) Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley, CA ($56): Merlot is truly the spirit grape of this world-renowned winery founded by Margaret and Dan Duckhorn in 1976. Their exceptional Napa Valley Merlot still WOWS today with alluring aromas of lush red fruit and spice followed on the palate by mouth-filling flavors of cherry, raspberry and cocoa that are accentuated by fine-grained tannins and hints of plum, blueberry and spice.
5.) Mt. Brave Merlot Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, CA ($80): Winemaker Chris Carpenter is truly the mountain-grown Merlot whisperer, who treats each of his wines like a symphony of flavors. Happily, this stunner is no exception! Crafted from 80% Merlot and 20% Malbec grown on Mt. Veeder, this full-bodied wine displays fragrant aromas of spiced dark fruit, violets and mocha while on the palate, lush, plush flavors of ripe plum, blackberry and dark chocolate are accentuated by savory hints of black olive, earth and licorice.
6.) La Jota Merlot Howell Mountain, Napa, CA ($85): Chris Carpenter displays his talent for mountain fruit again in this truly elegant expression of Merlot from Napa’s Howell Mountain. This stunner seduces with complex aromas of dark fruit, cassis + espresso followed on the palate by opulent, layered notes of roast plum, blackberry compote and dried cherry complemented by ripe, round tannins and hints of star anise, black pepper and earth that carry through the long, lingering finish.
October is officially Merlot Month (aka #MerlotMe on Twitter) which celebrates the long awaited comeback of this most maligned grape variety. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to talk about this happy occasion recently with John Favole and the team at WPTV Channel 5.
While everyone likes to blame the 2004 movie Sideways for Merlot’s vinous demise, Miles’ rant was just the final nail in the grape’s coffin at the time. The truth is, its popularity had been declining for awhile. At the height of Merlot’s fame, demand was so great some growers were pulling up other, less-profitable vines in order to make room for more of it. This meant planting Merlot vines in less than optimal sites, resulting in the production of poor quality wine. Unfortunately, it became more about quantity than quality. Now, after almost a decade of vinous obscurity, it’s the quality vineyards tended by the true Merlot lovers that mostly remain.
But what’s so great about Merlot anyway and WHY are we celebrating it with Merlot Month? For those who are newbies or just need a reminder, on the likeability scale, Merlot rates pretty high! Known for its plush, lush notes of cherry, plum and chocolate and soft, supple tannins…frankly, what’s NOT to like? It’s inherent characteristics also make it approachable at a young age, unlike its vinous counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape known for aggressive tannins and bold flavors which often needs time in the bottle to soften. While both grapes make delicious varietal wines, the two also complement each other beautifully which is why they are often blended together.
While Merlot was officially “born” in France and is still the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux, wonderful examples of the wine can be found in many countries across the globe including Italy, Australia, Chile and the US. Each country imparts its own unique stamp on this grape which can be somewhat of a chameleon depending on where it’s grown. In cooler climates, Merlot is known for exhibiting notes of black and blue fruit, minerals, licorice and herbs. Warmer climates accentuate the grape’s fruitiness, highlighting cherry, candied berry, mocha, spice and soft, sweet tannins.
When it comes to food, due to its supple, fruity nature, Merlot pairs wonderfully with a variety of different dishes. Its hearty texture makes it perfect for serving with dishes such as hard cheeses, cheeseburgers, stews, roasted chicken and steak. Those with a sweet tooth also enjoy it with chocolate-based desserts which complement its lush, fruity tendencies.
I hope you enjoy Merlot Month and continue to enjoy this delicious grape all season long! Please check out our list below of our recommended wines at a variety of different price points. If you’d like to watch the entire WPTV segment, please scroll down to the video below or simply click here. Also, if there’s a particular brand of Merlot you enjoy I’d love to hear about it in the Comments section below. Be sure to share your vinous exploits on Twitter using the hashtag #MerlotMe and check out what other wine lovers are drinking as well.
1.) Falesco Merlot Tellus, Umbria, Italy, 2013 ($14)
2.) Mollydooker Merlot The Scooter, McLaren Vale, Australia, 2013 ($25)
3.) Peju Province Merlot, Napa Valley, CA, 2013 ($35)
4.) Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley, CA, 2013 ($50)
5.) Mt. Brave Merlot Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, CA, 2013 ($75)
6.) La Jota Merlot Howell Mountain, Napa, CA, 2013 ($80)
The post Celebrating Merlot Month on WPTV Channel 5 appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.