a good glass of wine

A Good Glass of Wine December 2008

Wine columnist Wini Moranville guides you to the best bottles for the money

Merry Mélanges for the Holidays

What will it be for your next holiday gathering? Syrah? Cab? Merlot? Why not all three? Today’s winemakers are coming up with fascinating wines by blending two or more grape varieties in one-of-a-kind ways. In the best cases, they highlight what we love about each grape—for instance, the smoke in a Syrah, the soft feel of a Merlot and the heft of a Cab—for one all-out-pleasing bottle. Here are six character-filled cases in point.

Michael and David 2006 “Petite/Petit” (Lodi; $18): Big yet balanced, this show-stopping blend of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot swells with smoke, violets, dark fruits—and loads of personality. Terrific for fireside sipping.

Clayhouse Vineyard 2006 Adobe Red (Central Coast; $15.99): Zin, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Malbec team up handsomely in a richly brambly, nicely spiced wine.

Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2005 Vinetta (California; $11): If you love rich California fruit, but appreciate that je ne sais quoi complexity of French wines, how about a Bordeaux-style blend that deftly (and inexpensively) treats you to both?

Waterbrook 2006 Mélange Noir (Columbia Valley; $15): Wine geeks will think you spent much more than you did on this ingenious blend anchored by Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Layer upon layer of flavor—including bright and dark fruits, spice and smoke—emerge with each new sip.

Muse Winery 2006 “Mingle” Red Wine (California; $12.99): This blend Syrah, Cab and Merlot is as soft as your favorite flannel shirt and just as loveable. Bask in a comfy combo of generous black fruit and spice.

Rosemount Shiraz-Grenache 2005 (South Eastern Australia; $10): A lush and vibrant bottle, with irresistible raspberry-cordial-like flavors up front and generous fruit throughout.

Hi Lorrie-thanks for your response. They're all nice, ripe-for-sipping wines. If you can get your hands on the Waterbrook Melange, that's the one that had my tasting panel really coming back again and again for one more taste. But seriously, I'd offer any one of them as a party pour or a "fireside chat" sip. Enjoy! And let me know what you think if you try any of them.

Wini Moranville
12/16/08 5:30 PM

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