WINE TERM: Meritage
Meritage (noun): a wine that is made in the style of Bordeaux– therefore, a blend. Usually reserved for a winery’s top blend(s). Typically smaller productions and from the best grapes. Meritage is made all over the country and around the world.
** To avoid embarrassment and strut your wine expertise, pronounce correctly. It’s a combo of the words merit and heritage(which it rhymes with). People sometimes say mer-i-taj, thinking it’s French… They, however, are wrong.
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Rules to use Meritage on a wine label
-Reds must include at least two of the following: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot (and the less common Carmenere, Gros Verdot, St. Macaire)
-Whites must include at least two of following: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon (less common Sauvignon Vert)
-Must be a member of The Meritage Association (Prestige isn’t free or at least trademarks aren’t )
-No one varietal should make up more than 90% of the blend
Check out the association’s website to learn more.
My top picks…Langtry (Red) Meritage, St. Supery (White) Meritage, Thomas Fogarty Lexington (Red) Meritage, Franciscan Magnificat (Red) Meritage…just to name a few.
….Farley Walker
Meritage, Meritage Association
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