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Trapp Family Lodge California Bordeaux style reds tasting
February 25, 2012 (Sat)
from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Stowe, VT
Cost: $15.00
Event ID #407008
Wine Tasting in the Trapp Family Lodge Wine Cellar
Saturday, February 25th 4:00 to 6:00
We will be tasting new releases of California Bordeaux style blends, for inclusion on our list. Most wines are varietal wines, named after the grape variety that comprises at least 75% of that wine. For example, a “Cabernet Sauvignon” labeled as such must be made from 75%-100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Many winemakers, however, believe the 75% varietal requirement does not necessarily result in the highest quality wine. And the generic name for wines with les than 75% of a grape varietal — “table wine” — does not convey quality. Meritage, pronounced like heritage, first appeared in the late 1980s after a group of American vintners joined forces to create a name for New World wines blended in the tradition of Bordeaux. The word was selected from more than 6,000 entries in an international contest. Meritage combines “merit,” reflecting the quality of the grapes, with “heritage,” which recognizes the centuries-old tradition of blending, long considered to be the highest form of the winemaker’s art. Meritage wines are growing in popularity and are currently the second fastest growing wine category in the industry. They are highly regarded for their aging potential, yet are completely approachable in their youth. Many Meritage wines have proprietary names in addition to, or rather than, Meritage. In order to obtain a license and use the term Meritage on a label, a wine must meet certain criteria. A Red Meritage is a blend of two or more of the red “noble” Bordeaux varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and the rarer St. Macaire, Gros Verdot and Carmenère. 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. California sometimes adds a little Zinfandel to their Bordeaux style blends, much like the Australians and Washington Bordeaux blends have a little Syrah added. The format will be casual, walk around with cheese and bread. The wines featured will be:
Lock & Key, “Meritage”, North Coast 2009
Paoletti Winery, “Piccolo Cru”, Calistoga 2008
Thomas Fogarty, “Skyline”, California 2006
Sean Minor, “Red Blend”, Napa Valley 2009
III Somms, “Atlas”, Napa Valley 2007
A sign-up sheet will be available at the front desk (253-5742 or 800-826-7000) and there will be a $15.00 fee per person.
Event Details
Wine OR Wine & Food
Tags:
Wine
Walk Around Tasting
Weekly Event
Wine Tasting in the Trapp Family Lodge Wine Cellar
Saturday, February 25th 4:00 to 6:00
We will be tasting new releases of California Bordeaux style blends, for inclusion on our list. Most wines are varietal wines, named after the grape variety that comprises at least 75% of that wine. For example, a “Cabernet Sauvignon” labeled as such must be made from 75%-100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Many winemakers, however, believe the 75% varietal requirement does not necessarily result in the highest quality wine. And the generic name for wines with les than 75% of a grape varietal — “table wine” — does not convey quality. Meritage, pronounced like heritage, first appeared in the late 1980s after a group of American vintners joined forces to create a name for New World wines blended in the tradition of Bordeaux. The word was selected from more than 6,000 entries in an international contest. Meritage combines “merit,” reflecting the quality of the grapes, with “heritage,” which recognizes the centuries-old tradition of blending, long considered to be the highest form of the winemaker’s art. Meritage wines are growing in popularity and are currently the second fastest growing wine category in the industry. They are highly regarded for their aging potential, yet are completely approachable in their youth. Many Meritage wines have proprietary names in addition to, or rather than, Meritage. In order to obtain a license and use the term Meritage on a label, a wine must meet certain criteria. A Red Meritage is a blend of two or more of the red “noble” Bordeaux varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and the rarer St. Macaire, Gros Verdot and Carmenère. 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. California sometimes adds a little Zinfandel to their Bordeaux style blends, much like the Australians and Washington Bordeaux blends have a little Syrah added. The format will be casual, walk around with cheese and bread. The wines featured will be:
Lock & Key, “Meritage”, North Coast 2009
Paoletti Winery, “Piccolo Cru”, Calistoga 2008
Thomas Fogarty, “Skyline”, California 2006
Sean Minor, “Red Blend”, Napa Valley 2009
III Somms, “Atlas”, Napa Valley 2007
A sign-up sheet will be available at the front desk (253-5742 or 800-826-7000) and there will be a $15.00 fee per person.
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