Meritage

Hey Wine Lovers!

If you recall from my first posting of this wine blog I stated my goal was to write about value wines at $10 or less. Well... I splurged on this one, I spent $11.99 and felt compelled to write about it! Hahn Estates 2007 Meritage.

Hahn translates to Rooster in German and that is why the rooster is on their label, it adorned their family home for years.

This wine is elegant with ripe fruit on the front, lush juicy overtones and a slightly tannic finish, enough to stand up to hearty fall and winter dishes but also soft enough to have by itself. It is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. I would buy this and impress your friends!

Lets take a moment and talk about "Meritage".

A Red Meritage is a blend of two or more of the red “noble” Bordeaux varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. (St. Macaire, Gros Verdot and Carmenère are also noble grapes from Bordeaux but rare) If the blend includes any other grape variety, it is, (by definition) not a Meritage. Also, to qualify as a Meritage, no single grape variety can make up more than 90% of the blend. In 1988 a group of of American vintners formed "The Meritage Association" to identify handcrafted wines blended from the traditional "noble" Bordeaux varietals.

Now you know what the definition of a "Meritage" wine is!

Cheers!

J