by Fred McMillin for May 20, 1997 Make Mine Merlot Prologue: Exactly 20 years ago, grape guru Bern Ramey wrote, "Early indications are that California wineries are convinced of the benefits of Merlot as a blending wine to offset the slow maturing property of Cabernet Sauvignon... [However], California may demonstrate to the world before too long that Merlot can unquestionably stand by itself as a regal varietal wine." The Rest of the Story: Bern was right on target. Sales of bottles labeled Merlot from California are increasing at something like 40% a year. The 1996 Merlot harvest was 41% greater than in 1995. Annual production is in the four million case range. If you wonder why it's so popular, try the '94 Merlot by Dry Creek Vineyards. It blew the sox off my panel... gentle Merlot magic plus added backbone from two other sterling Bordeaux varietals (7% Petit Verdot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon). Best of all, production was 10,000 cases, so you should be able to find it. 1994 Merlot, Sonoma County Dry Creek Vineyard Healdsburg, CA Phone—(800)864-WINE $17 Category: Excellent Postscript: What's the origin of the name Merlot? British authority Jancis Robinson tells us that in the Bordeaux area it meant "little blackbird." That figures, because in California "little blackbird" sales certainly are soaring. 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.

Read more articles by Fred McMillin in the eGGsf 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 February WineDays March WineDays April WineDays 05/19/97 Waiting for Verdot (vair-dough) 05/16/97 Winery of the Week Sutter Home Winery 05/15/97 What's OVOC Zinfandel? 05/14/97 The Olympic Games White, A Reprise 05/13/97 Roy's Niche in Time 05/12/97 Meanwhile, Back at the Chateau 05/09/97 Winery of the week Gundlach-Bundschu Wine Company 05/08/97 A Pretty Pink for Mother's Day 05/07/97 Was the Wine a Success? 05/06/97 A 365-Acre Adventure 05/05/97 A Little Star 05/02/97 Winery of the week Scharffenberger Cellars 05/01/97 Pinot Noir's Kissin' Cousin

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