by Fred McMillin for February 26, 1997 An Appealing Merlot This '95 Merlot has a lot of appeal because... There's plenty of backbone from the 22% Cabernet Sauvignon. Nine months in French and American oak added easily-detected spice and vanilla to the mix. You can find it; production was over 800,000 bottles. And finally, there's nothing more appealing than the price, $10 1995 Merlot, Appellation—California Tessera Wines By the Seagram Classics Wine Company Rutherford, Napa Valley, CA Contact—Sara Moore, (800)709-7667 $10 Category: Highly Recommended In Its Price Range Postscript Question: What do these three men have in common? Cary Gott—Has been a hands-on president of important wineries both on the California coast and inland. He knows where the good Merlot grows. Greg Fowler—Has been blending the individual cuvees at Mumm Napa Valley for the last decade. Phil Franscioni—Phil has handled winemaking at four major Califonia wineries, including the last decade at the Monterey Vineyard Winery. Answer: What they have in common is the creation of Tessera wines. Cary picks out the grapes, Phil converts them to wine, and Greg blends the individual batches. That's a lot of talent for ten bucks! About the Writer Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He currently teaches wine courses at San Francisco State and San Francisco City College and is Northern California Editor for American Wine on the Web. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers. Global Gourmet | FoodDay Copyright © 1997 the electronic Gourmet Guide, Inc. All rights reserved.

Welcome to WineDay, the electronic Gourmet Guide's daily update. Monday through Thursday, WineDay presents a wine profile. Then on Fridays we present the Winery of the Week to take you through the weekend Current WineDay January WineDays 02/25/97 A Bright White from Italy 02/24/97 From Tuscany with Love 02/21/97 Winery of the Weekl The Steele Appeal 02/20/97 That Picky Pinot 02/19/97 This Is Dan Lee's Cup of Tea 02/18/97 The Grape Washington Loves 02/17/97 Bordeaux Down Under 02/14/97 Winery of the Week: The Chandon Cyclone 02/13/97 A Sublime Valentine, Born of Tragedy and Triumph 02/12/97 The Queen of Chardonnay 02/11/97 The Best of Barbera 02/10/97 A Short Port Report 02/07/97 Winery of the Week: Jekel's Rocks, Vines & Wines 02/06/97 A Grape for the Lake 02/05/97 Last Rites for Sulfites 02/04/97 From Assisi to Sonoma 02/03/97 A Zinfully Good Bargain