I Drink Therefore I Am.
January 16, 2012
White Zinfandel Dispute Resolved.
January 15, 2012
This TREMENDOUS news (tongue firmly in cheek) resolves an issue which arose last year, when Blossom Hill’s White Zinfandel and White Grenache were impounded by authorities in Italy, where the wines are bottled.
The brand was forced to relabel the wines as Zinfandel Rosé and Grenache Rosé.
The Blossom Hill brand reported that its parent company Diageo and the Wine & Spirit Trade Association have since been working with the EU to resolve the dispute. Following a trade agreement meeting between the US and EU in November, White Zinfandel is now officially recognized for use on labels within the EU as from December.
Breathalyzer Kits to Become Compulsory in all Vehicles in France.
January 15, 2012
Every car in France will have to be equipped with a breathalyzer from the spring of 2012. The announcement was made by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The new plan will force every driver to have a breathalyzer kit in their cars so they can check their alcohol level before driving. A kit costs just €1.50 to €2 ($2 to $2.70). Anyone caught without a kit will face a €17 ($23) fine.
Winemaker’s Dinner at Matthew’s with Revana Family – Feb 17th.
January 15, 2012
Teen Dining Etiquette Class at TPC Sawgrass.
January 13, 2012
Teen Dining Etiquette Class
Monday, January 16th
6:00 – 8:30 PM
$40 Includes Dinner
Teens are invited to attend a fun and informative evening. Participants will learn proper manners and the social graces of dining while enjoying a multi-course meal with guidance through every step.
Contact Jamie Fowler at 904.543.5105 for reservations.
Posted in Events | Tagged Jacksonville, TPC Sawgrass | Leave a comment //Understanding the Wine Term: Meritage.
January 13, 2012
Meritage has to be one of the most misunderstood and mispronounced wine words in the world.
With that being said, let’s get the pronunciation out of the way first: “MARE-eh-tidge” is correct, and “MARE-eh-targe” is not.
First trademarked in 1988, the term Meritage is given to American blended wines that use the traditional grapes of the Bordeaux region of France. The word was chosen from more than 6,000 entries in an international contest. Meritage combines “merit” reflecting the high quality of the grapes, with “heritage” eluding to the historical blending of the Bordeaux varietals.
The idea comes from Californian vintners needing a way to classify the wines they produce which don’t contain 75% of one particular grape (the legal minimum in order to be labeled as a “varietal” wine i.e. Cabernet, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc etc.) Before use of the Meritage lingo, most producers had to settle for using their own proprietary term, or simply “table wine”. This for obvious reasons caused a certain amount of confusion amongst buyers. “Table wine” on a wine label seems to imply “El Cheapo”!
In order to be considered for “Meritage” designation, it must meet a set criteria:
· It must be the winery’s best wine for its style.
· Its production must be limited to 25,000 cases for each year.
· It must be a blend of at least two, with no one of the grapes making up more than 90% of the blend. For reds, these grapes are Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petite Verdot and Carmenère. For whites; the grapes are Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle.
If a wine makes the cut, the Meritage Association grants use of the term, and charges on average $1 for every case produced.
For more info, visit the Meritage Alliance
Posted in Facts | Tagged Meritage | Leave a comment //← Older posts Newer posts →
