Meritage

Meritage

Meritage is a term used to describe Bordeaux-style red and white wines made by members of the Meritage Alliance. The term was first coined in 1988 by a group of American vintners, who wanted to create a name for high-quality blended wines that were not able to use varietal labeling due to the specific requirements set by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).

History

The Meritage Alliance was formed in 1988 by a small group of vintners in California. The term "Meritage" was chosen from more than 6,000 entries in a naming contest. The word is a portmanteau of "merit" and "heritage", reflecting the quality and tradition of the wines produced by the alliance's members.

Composition

Meritage wines are typically composed of a blend of at least two of the traditional Bordeaux grape varieties. For reds, these include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Carménère. For whites, the varieties are Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle.

Production

To qualify as a Meritage, a wine must meet certain criteria set by the Meritage Alliance. The wine must be a blend of two or more of the recognized Bordeaux grape varieties, with no single variety making up more than 90% of the blend. The wine must also be one of the winery's best bottles, and it must be produced in limited quantities.

Recognition

Meritage wines have gained recognition for their quality and complexity. They are now produced by wineries in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Argentina.

See Also

• Bordeaux wine
• Wine blending and improvement
• List of grape varieties

References

• Meritage Alliance. (n.d.). The Meritage Alliance - About Us. Retrieved from https://www.meritagealliance.com/about-us
• Wine Folly. (2018, September 24). What is Meritage Wine? Retrieved from https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/what-is-meritage-wine/
• Wine Searcher. (n.d.). Meritage Wine. Retrieved from https://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-584-meritage