Merlot may be out of fashion but who cares when the wine tastes great. The newly arrived 09 vintage or Beringer’s Stone Cellars is a delicious mouthful or berry fruit flavours and a happy California day feeling. Perfect for a Malibu beach BBQ under the stars – or a December party at your place.
BERINGER 09 Merlot ‘Stone Cellars’, California
462473 $13.95
Storytime. When the owners of a certain South African 19th century Georgian flat-roofed manor house moved on, the cat stayed behind. On the roof of course. The winemaker at Uitkyk Winery (part of the flat roof house property) decided to create a line of everyday ‘home’ wines named after the cat and two are available at the LCBO.
The Pinot Grigio is fruity, super nice and perfect for everyday sipping. And the Merlot is bright ‘n lively with a little smokiness. A no-brainer with BBQ’d red meats. Both wines are a tad commercial but certainly fine for the price. And fifty cents of every purchase goes to the Toronto Cat Rescue group. End of story.
FLAT ROOF MANOR 10 Pinot Grigio, South Africa 37128 $10.95
FLAT ROOF MANOR 09 Merlot, South Africa 129874 $10.95
Merlot is out of fashion with those who drink the trends. The rest of us keep a Merlot handy for romantic moods, or the ‘feel-good’ quality that it delivers.
I’m always amused when I see people pouring wines that are identical to Merlot, and hearing them say “I really dislike Merlot”.
Beringer Merlot is a doll. Delicious spicy fruitiness and friendliness. Lush, plush without feeling heavy or excessive. Dangerously gulpable. Could be mistaken for Zin. Perfect for holiday entertaining, or any night with your sweetie.
BEST USE: The mood for feel-good wine. Warm hugs.
Beringer 08 Merlot ‘Stone Cellars’, California 462473 $13.95
Drink your way through Billy’s Best wine book – a bottle or two at a time. Follow the instructions and you’ll be a wine wizard by Easter. New lessons are posted every Wednesday. Looking forward to hearing about your ‘homework’!
Lesson #3 Does the situation call for the old wine camp or the new?The old wine countries create very dry and challenging drinks, while new wine countries offer more friendly, less dry wines. This is a generalization of course but it’s useful to know that the two styles exist – and that choosing the appropriate one will go a long way in determining the success of your event. Or just your own drinking pleasure.
For this lesson you will need to buy and open both red wines below. Experience them side by side (yes, two glasses in front of you) so you can see the different experiences described below. Neither wine is better of course, but there will be a better ‘choice’ once you factor in a situation/mood/food. You could have the foods suggested with the two wines – on the same evening, or spread your lesson over two evenings.
OLD WORLD STYLE Red
CESARI 08 Merlot, Italy 572453 $7.25 page 149
(alternative: Alianca 06 Bairrada Reserve, Portugal 158741 $8.50)
very dry – an edge – earthy – challenging. Very refreshing and good at stimulating the palate – making you hungry, and keeping you hungry through the meal. Its strength is being good at helping you enjoy the meal. And not knocking you out with high alcohol. Could be likened to European movies that give you something to think about.
FOODS: Plain roasted or grilled red meats with fresh herbs. Tomato sauced pasta or pizza.
FYI: The traditional wines of France, Italy, Spain, etc are known as Old World.
NEW WORLD STYLE Red
CONO SUR 08 Shiraz, Chile 64295 $9.95 page 199
(alternative: Finca Flichman 08 Malbec ‘Misteria’, Argentina 28803 $7.80)
Smooth – fruity – spicy sweet – yummy. Instant pleasure and the ‘let’s party’ feeling. An invitation to relax – with food, or without. If there’s food, make sure it has kick-ass flavours. New World reds could be likened to Hollywood movies – lots of glitz and glam.
FOODS: Ribs, steaks or chops with spicy/sweet sauces. Burgers with all the fixins.
FYI: Australian, Chilean and Californian wines are categorized as New World.
P.S. Ontario is in this group technically, but most of our best wines are Old World and cool climate in style.
Italy Does Modern
Traditionally Italian wines are labeled by region but there’s a movement to start using grape names, especially well known ones, when the production is aimed at the expert market. Are you ready to try some Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah – Italian style?
The Abruzzo province is the ‘outlet store’ for Italian red wines. Rock bottom prices for good quality, traditional wines. Now it’s doing the same with international grape varieties.
Arancio’s Syrah strikes a perfect balance between traditional and modern expression. It would work for either camp. Solid, house wine feeling. A bit reserved at first, but the Italian spirit comes out with food.
Casal Thaulero’s wine delivers Merlot plumminess, Cabernet solidness and a rustic Italian feeling. Richness and gusto – the Italian way. For hearty foods and folks. Why pay more?
Best times: fall or winter house wines.
wine style: RICH RED
Arancio 07 Syrah, Sicily 621730 $12.75
wine style: RICH RED
Casal Thaulero 08 Merlot/Cabernet, Abruzzo, Italy 621953 $6.95
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