Merlot
Top countries producing this wine: |
Merlot still suffers from the negative publicity it received in 2004 from the wine-themed movie Sideways. But even before that movie, Merlot had begun to be perceived as a beginner’s wine — soft and simple. We think that’s an unfair conclusion: inferior examples of Merlot are usually the result of overprinting in the wrong soil types rather than any intrinsic deficiencies in the grape. In fact, some of the most sought-after collectible wines are Merlot-based, including the great Bordeaux of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. A single bottle of the current vintage of Château Pétrus will fetch prices in the neighborhood of $4,000! How can one grape manifests itself as both wine plonk and memorable classics? Seemingly a wine paradox, Merlot’s identify crisis may be cleared up by this oft-repeated winemaker’s adage: The quality of the wine is directly proportional to the quality of the vineyards. Merlot is the second-most planted red wine grape in the world, so there is bound to be variation in quality. As with all grapes, location and the reputation of the winemaker are the two most important details when it comes to producing great wine. The characteristics that make Merlot a noble wine worthy of seeking out are its potential for aging, full, ripe berry flavors, plumy or fruitcake middle and, yes, that velvety, plush finish. |
Rosé/Blush Wine
Top rosé wine varietals: |
Rosés are often underrated amongst their red and white counterparts, and have been gaining in popularity in recent years. These wines can be a wonderfully refreshing change of pace to your everyday red or white. A rosé may be produced in one of three ways, though only the first two ways are typically used. The first method is used when the winemaker's primary focus is to make a rosé. In this case, the skins of the crushed grapes -- which are responsible for producing the color in wines -- are allowed to remain in contact with the juice for a short period of time, though not throughout fermentation as is the case with red wines. This method imparts some of the red coloring of the skin, but by removing the skins before fermentation it removes the tannins and other compounds typical of a red wine, leaving behind a blush wine with characteristics more typical of a white wine. The second method for producing roses is the through the fermentation of excess juice (or must) from a red wine. Winemakers may wish to make their red wines more tannic and intense in both color and flavor. When that's the case, they sometimes will remove some of the pink juice from the wine at an early stage in fermentation. That juice is then sometimes fermented on its own to create a rosé. And the final method for creating a rosé, which is rather uncommon and discouraged, is a simple blend of red and white wines. This method is actually forbidden by law in France, with the exception of Champagne. |
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sutter Home White Merlot
2001 / 187 ml. 4 pack
United States | CaliforniaItem #59618Limited inventory.
7 bottles or less in stock; we will confirm your order by email.




Connect With Us:
