this week I am drinking

This week I am drinking a white Meritage (rhymes with heritage). Meritage is a word invented by the American wine industry to identify wines blended from the traditional "noble" varietals of Bordeaux. For white wines these varietals include Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle.

This 2003 Sumac Ridge Meritage is 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. Unfortunately the overall experience is dominated by an oaky flavour which also gives the wine a deeper yellow color.

The preponderance of oak in Californian wines has led to great success for many vineyards in terms of sales but I say "enough already". Some wines are oaked using barrels but since a French oak barrel costs around $US1000 (€835/$CAN1200/$AUS1350) this is often prohibitive. Instead oak chips are mixed within the wine and the resulting liquid is subsequently filtered.

Sumac Ridge can usually be relied on for interesting taste experiences but on this occasion they have fallen short.

For more information ...
http://www.meritagewine.org/
http://www.sumacridge.com/