merlot

New York City's Urban Vineyard

Filed under: Wine

New York City has its own urban winery with a vineyard. The Queens County Farm Museum Winery opened in May in the Floral Park neighborhood of Queens, New York. Wines and Vines reports that the Queens County Farm Museum is a working historical farm located on 47 acres. Its history dates back to 1697 and it is New York City's largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland and the only working historical farm in the City. It's also the longest continuously farmed site in New York State. The site includes farm buildings, a greenhouse complex, livestock, farm vehicles. planting fields, an orchard and an herb garden. It is open for tours and also hold events including the Dinner on the Farm series.

The vineyard project has been years in the making. Back in 2004 the first phase of the project began with the planting of Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc grapes. Gary Mitchell, the farm museum's vineyard manager, did some training in the University of California, Davis's famous oenological program to learn how to grow the grapes and later pulled out the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon leaving about 1.5 acres of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Grapes at the farm museum are sent to the Premium Wine Group in Mattituck for processing. This spring saw the release of a 2006 and 2007 Merlot, a 2007 and 2008 Chardonnay, and a 2006 Adriance, a premium red wine blend named for the Dutch family that first farmed the museum's land. Prices range from $21 to $29 a bottle. You can only get this wine at the winery shop at the museum. Eventually Mitchell would like to plant more acres to grow this unique enterprise.

Tags: cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot, new york city, queens, queens county farm, urban winery

Masseto, The King of Merlot

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

What makes a wine worth $460 a bottle? It helps to be among the top Merlot in the world and to be one of the much vaunted Super Tuscans. The 2007 vintage of Masseto, Italy's gold standard of Merlot from Ornellaia, will be released in a few months. The grapes for this wine are grown on just more than 16 acres of vineyards in the coastal area of Bolgheri. Masseto was born almost by chance in 1986 when it was decided to vinify the Merlot from the Masseto vineyard. This small cru quickly became a collector's item sold in auctions all over the world. Masseto has received numerous accolades including a perfect 100 points from Wine Spectator's for its 2001 vintage. Suggested retail upon release is $460 but prices could go up from there depending on how quickly this one is snapped up older well-regarded vintages (especially the 2001) often sell for more. The new vintage will be available across the country at select retailers/restaurants, and is distributed by Folio Fine Wine Partners 707-256-2700.

Tags: italian wine, italian wines, merlot, ornellaia, red wine, super tuscan, wine

Duckhorn Vineyards Wins the Readers' Choice Award for Best Domestic Red Wine

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Duckhorn Vineyards, located in St. Helena, Ca., is the winner of the Readers' Choice Award for Best Domestic Red Wine.

Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent nearly 35 years establishing itself as one of North America's premier producers of Bordeaux varietal wines. From its modest inaugural vintage of 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Merlot in 1978, to its addition of Sauvignon Blanc in 1982, Duckhorn Vineyards has crafted a tradition of quality and excellence that continues today.

Duckhorn made an early decision to focus on the production of Merlot. Though many Napa Valley wineries were using Merlot as a blending grape in the late 1970's, few were exploring the potential of this varietal as a stand-alone wine. A great fan of Merlot since traveling to St. Emilion and Pomerol, Dan Duckhorn felt that this elegant varietal was under appreciated in North America. "I liked the softness, the seductiveness, the color," says Duckhorn. "The fact that it went with a lot of different foods; it wasn't so bold, didn't need to age so long, and it had this velvety texture to it. It seemed to me to be a wonderful wine to just enjoy. I became enchanted with Merlot."

Gallery: Duckhorn Wine Company

Tags: awards-main, Cabernet Sauvignon, California wine, duckhorn, duckhorn vineyards, DuckhornVineyards, luxist-awards, merlot, St. Helena, winner-wine, winner-wines, winners-wine, winners-wines

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Merlove DVD Released, Celebrated With Merlot Tasting

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

When Miles screamed about not drinking any "#$%@ing Merlot" in the movie Sideways, it started a push toward Pinot Noir and the beginning of California Merlot's fight for its reputation. The battle still continues and Producer/Director Rudolf N. McClain has just released the DVD of his film Merlove. On the cover is a quote from Wine Spectator that says simply: "Take this, Miles."

"Merlove is a documentary I wanted to make in response to the movie Sideways," explains McClain. The movie was filmed in the Napa Valley, Washington State and Bordeaux and combines documentary style filmmaking with an animation subplot centered on a bottle of Merlot wine named "Merlove" which must find a way to fill itself with love when aimlessly tossed into the ocean of mediocre Merlot wine. The DVD contains new animated sequences, music, digital mastering and a director's commentary. The movie Merlove premiered on June 27, 2008 and has been screened at film festivals around the world.

McClain will be on hand to sign copies in the tasting room at V. Sattui Winery on November 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.. The winery is located at 1111 White Lane off Highway 29 just south of St. Helena. The DVD sells for $24.99. At the event you can show your support for Merlot by indulging in a free tasting of the winery's two Merlots, the 2006 Henry Ranch (Carneros appellation) and 2006 Napa Valley.

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Tags: merlot, merlove, sideways, v sattui, VSattui

JAQK Cellars

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

There's a new arrival on the wine scene bound to whet your appetite and stir your inner gambler. JAQK Cellars, a playful take on the Jack, Ace, Queen and King of cards, is offering eight distinctive limited production wines this season. From the High Roller 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon to the Charmed 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, this creative and alluring brand pairs a healthy dose of frivolity with the enticing draw of a smoky, high-end casino. Completing the selection are Black Clover 2006 Merlot, Soldiers of Fortune 2006 Shiraz, Pearl Handle 2007 Chardonnay, 22 Black 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bone Dance 2006 Merlot, and Her Majesty 2007 Chardonnay. The bottle will cost between $23 and $70 but their four-bottle gift boxes offered for the holidays range between $120 and $220. I'd be willing to bet this California-based wine will increase your odds of enjoyment.

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Tags: 22 Black, 22Black, black clover, BlackClover, bone dance, BoneDance, cabernet sauvignon, CabernetSauvignon, chardonnay, charmed, Her Majesty, HerMajesty, high roller, HighRoller, JAQK, JAQK Cellars, JAQK wine, JaqkCellars, JaqkWine, merlot, pearl handle, PearlHandle, sauvignon blanc, SauvignonBlanc, shiraz, soldiers-of-fortune

French Maid Wine

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

In keeping with White Rocket Wine Company's niche of bringing new brands of high quality, affordable wines to the new generation of wine drinkers comes French Maid Wine. Each of the five varietals from the French 'Old World' Languedoc region is given a 'New World' spirit. Offering a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc, each French Maid Wine brings French terroir to the newbies of the wine world on a smaller budget of only $12 per bottle. For the connoisseur who prefers more luxury priced wines this may not be the bottle of choice but as an introduction to wine it just may fit the bill.

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Tags: cabernet sauvignon, CabernetSauvignon, chardonnay, french maid wine, FrenchMaidWine, merlot, pinot noir, PinotNoir, sauvignon blanc, SauvignonBlanc, white rocket wine company, WhiteRocketWineCompany

White Rocket Wine Makes Dogs a Worthy Cause

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Charity

When quality meets affordability in a wine that also speaks to your heart, I would say that is a win-win! The White Rocket Wine Company's Dog House line featuring California grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Zinfandel and Chardonnay supports Guide Dogs for the Blind by donating fifty-cents of each bottle purchased to their life changing programs. Not only do you get to enjoy your wine but you can improve the quality of life for many blind and visually impaired individuals across the country.

Guide Dogs for the Blind is a charitable organization that does not benefit from any government funding and therefore relies on donations to provide free guide dogs and training to those in need. Since Dog House Wines pledged their support for the non-profit, over $214,000 have been donated to its cause. Not only are Dog House Wines champions in terms of philanthropic giving but the wines have also earned over sixty individual awards making this brand a worthy selection for anyone... plus, who could resist that adorable dog on the label!

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Tags: cabernet-sauvignon, chardonnay, dog-house-wine, guide-dogs-for-the-blind, merlot, pinot-grigio, white-rocket-wine, zinfandel

Martinis Still Reign Supreme

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Wine

What's your drink of choice? If you are a martini drinker you are still in the majority. Wine Spirits Daily took a look at a study called "Success In The Cities" from Information Resources. They surveyed over 500 bars, restaurants, hotels and nightclubs in major metropolitan areas to find the hot cocktails. The top three are the martini (not just the classic but the martinis-in-glass only such as the fruit martinis), mojitos and the dance-til-you-drop party enhancer, Red Bull and vodka.

The most popular shot is the Jager bomb, that deadly mix of Jagermeister and Red Bull, which surprises me. It was the hot thing in 2005 and I never imagined this trend would have legs. Chardonnay is still the most popular wine requested (40%) with White Zinfandel coming in second (23%). Red wine varietals lag way behind with Merlot clocking in at 12% and Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir eking out just 3% and 2% respectively. A full 10 of the top 12 wine brands in distribution are domestic wines from California. And as for sparkling wine the Moet Hennessy portfolio receives the most distribution.

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Tags: chardonnay, jager bomb, martini, merlot, wine

First Blush Varietal Grape Juice, Wine Varietals Without The Buzz

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Wine

I recently came across this product in Whole Foods and had to try it out. First Blush makes varietal grape juices: Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, and a rosé juice made from Zinfandel. Each juice is made from 100% wine grape varietal without any added sugar. The 16-ounce bottles sell for around $4 a bottle. What does it taste like? I bought the Merlot and basically, it's just really good grape juice, sweet and fruit-packed.

[via Wines and Vines]

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Tags: cabernet, chardonnay, first blush, FirstBlush, grape juice, merlot, rose, varietal grapes, wine grapes

Martha Stewart Enters the Wine Business

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Celebrity Shopping

Honestly I'm surprised it took her this long but Martha Stewart is finally getting into the wine business. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. has announced a partnership with E.&J. Gallo Winery to create wines known as the "Martha Stewart Vintage." The first launch of 15,000 cases includes three wines: a 2006 Sonoma County Chardonnay, 2005 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvingon and 2006 Sonoma County Merlot. The wines will be available in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Denver, Phoenix and Portland starting in January and will sell for around $15.

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Tags: cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, gallo, martha stewart, MarthaStewart, merlot, red wine, RedWine, white wine, WhiteWine, wine

Long Shadow Vintners Wins Winery of the Year

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

A unique winery in Washington, Long Shadows Vintners has been named Winery of the Year by Food & Wine magazine. The winery is actually more of a collaboration in which famous winemakers from around make wines from Washington grapes. Allen Shoup, the former CEO of Stimpson Lane (owner of Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest) is behind the project which creates luxury wines at the winery facility in Walla Walla. The wines include Pedestal, a Merlot-blend from Michel Rolland, Poet's Leap, a Riesling from German winemaker Armin Diel and Saggi, a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet, Syrah and Barbera from Italian producers Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari. Basically it's like getting wine experience from all around the world made from Washington grapes. Prices for the wines vary but start at $20 for the Poet's Leap. There is a membership club for those who want to be the first to get their hands on the latest releases since these popular wines quickly sell out. A situation that will undoubtedly only get worse with this award.

[via Seattle Post-Intelligencer]

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Tags: food and wine magazine, long shadow vintners, LongShadowVintners, merlot, red wine, riesling, washington wine, white wine, wine

Blackstone Launches New Sonoma-Based Wines

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Like Kendall-Jackson, Blackstone winery is seeking to seek the next level of the wine market with a new line that appeal to a different price point than their main line which is generally under $10. The Blackstone Sonoma Reserve is produced at Blackstone's Kenwood Winery in the heart of Sonoma Valley and includes a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Bordeaux-inspired red blend, Rubric. The wines use grapes sourced from premium vineyards found upon the hillsides, benchlands and coastline of Sonoma County and are made by winemaker Gary Sitton.

The 2005 Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay uses grapes from the cool climate areas of Russian River Valley and Carneros, with small percentages drawn from the Sonoma Coast and sells for $16.99. The 2005 Sonoma Reserve Merlot uses grapes from the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Sonoma Valley and also sells for $16.99. The 2005 Sonoma Reserve Pinot Noir uses fruit from the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley region and is aged for 12 months in French oak. It sells for $18.99. The 2005 Sonoma Reserve "Rubric" is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah. It is matured in a combination of French and American oak barrels and sells for $18.99.

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Tags: blacstone wines, BlacstoneWines, chardonnay, grapes, merlot, pinot noir, PinotNoir, red wine, RedWine, sonoma, white wine, wine

Wine And Shoes To Save Elephants

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Charity

Another new entry into the rapidly growing wine-for-a-good-cause category is the Rescue Wine from Juslyn Vineyards in Napa. The owners of the winery Carolyn and Perry Butler were inspired when they visited the Four Seasons Tented Camp in Thailand, Seeing an elephant in Bangkok city traffic inspired the Butlers to create a special wine to benefit the Golden Triangle Elephant Foundation which rescues elephants abandoned in the cities and brings them back to a safe jungle environment. The Juslyn Winery's 2001 Rescue wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The wine is available as either a 1.5 liter for $225, three bottles of the 750 ml size for $250 or a three liter bottle for $495. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the wine will benefit GTAEF.

Carolyn Butler also persuaded Italian designer Cesare Casadei to create a peep-toe patent leather d'orsay pump with a black and white animal print comes with a 3.5 inch red heel. The shoes sell for $435 and there are just 60 being made.

[via Wine Spectator]

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Tags: cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, CabernetFranc, CabernetSauvignon, do no evil, DoNoEvil, juslyn, merlot, napa valley, red wine, RedWine, wine

Duckhorn 2003 Three Palms Vineyard Merlot

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

I've been on a Merlot kick lately, while Cabernet Sauvignon is a great winter wine, Merlot's fruitier feel makes it a great spring red. Another great Napa Merlot producer Duckhorn Vineyards has just released their 2003 Merlot offerings: the 2003 Duckhorn Estate reserve and the 2003 Duckhorn Three Palms reserve. The Three Palms Vineyard, which has been producing Merlot since 1978 is located on the northeast side of the Napa Valley in an area that has rocky and well-drained soil. The wine is 75% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet Franc. It spent 20 months in French oak château-style barrels. The resulting wine is described as smooth and full-bodied with a palate of red fruit notes and cedar and oak. The wine costs $80 per bottle.

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Tags: duckhorn vineyards, DuckhornVineyards, food and drink, merlot, napa wine, new wine releases, red wine, wine

Hyde de Villaine Wine Tasting At The Beverly Hills Hotel

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Yesterday I had the chance to attend the Hyde de Villane vertical tasting at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The wines are a collaboration between the Hyde family of Napa and the de Villaine family from Burgundy bringing together California grapes with French practices. They believe that gentle handling of the grapes and minimal intervention leads to a superior product. At the winery they use equipment which uses gravity to minimize mechanical pumping. Overall, the grapes are lovingly babied.

The luxury of a vertical tasting is the sense of sinking into a wine. The same winery, similar grapes but often such different results. It's a bit like having a friend that you have known through the various decades of life from the foolish teens to the mature forties. After the jump, my notes on the wines along with more photographs from the tasting and a few glamour shots of the Beverly Hills Hotel.

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Tags: beverly hills, cabernet sauvignon, california wine, chardonnay, merlot, syrah, wine, wine tasting

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