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If I Could Buy Only One – September 27th Vintages Release


We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the September 27th release, which one would it be and why?” Shanahans The Barking Dog GSM 2023, South Australia, Australia$19.95, Five Senses Wines & SpiritsSara d’Amato – I have a soft spot for rotundone, the aromatic compound behind that peppery kick in certain grapes like […] More

Buyer’s Guide to Vintages September 27th Release


Aged Wines – Expectation and Reality By David Lawrason, with notes from Sara d’Amato, Michael Godel and John Szabo The twin maxims that all wine is better with age — and the older the better — is just not true. I sense that most WineAlign readers know this, but it is worth repeating as Vintages […] More

If I Could Buy Only One – September 13th Vintages Release


We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the September 13th release, which one would it be and why?” Henry Of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay 2023, Ontario, Canada$34.95, Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery  Sara d’Amato – In a Vintages release that is stacked with impressive local wines, the Speck Family […] More

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Meritage

Meritage is pronounced Meh-rih-TIJ, rhyming with Heritage. This is a made-up word, registered as a US trademark, that wineries must pay to use on their wines. Back in 1989, wineries were all choosing names for their various blended wines, and it was getting hard to keep track of them all. An association was formed to try to define a "Bordeaux Blend" of grapes that was done on non-French soil. They had over 6,000 people submit choices for the name of this blend, and "Meritage" won. Just like Bordeaux, since they're made with the same grapes, Meritage wines tend to have a rich, full aroma. Depending on the particular blend, it can be blackberry, black cherry, spices, chocolate, and vanilla. Most Meritages have the Bordeaux signature flavours - cigar box, rich fruits, with a hefty feel. They're great with a steak, or with game meats - venison, pheasant etc.