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Wine Details
Price:
Description:
The 1999 Korbel Merlot Champagne is an experimental cuvee made from merlot grown in the Sonoma Valley and Russian River areas of Sonoma County. These areas produce very intense fruit driven varietal flavors in merlot. The merlot grapes used in this cuvee were fermented on the skins, in the traditional red wine manner. After barrel aging, the cuvee was bottle fermented in the Methode Champenoise tradition, combining the richness of merlot table wines, with the fun and sparkle of champagne.
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Varietal Definition
Merlot:
Merlot is known as a Noble Bordeaux varietal. Although it came to France in the first century, it was not named until the 1880s. Merlot was originally used only for blending, as it is soft and compliant, very useful in softening other Bordeaux wines like Cabernets. Recently in California and Chile it became popular as a 100% varietal wine. Merlot tends to be easier to grow in a variety of soil conditions and is harvested earlier in the year than Cabernet. Although most Merlots are made to be drunk earlier, there are many with complexities of a Cabernet. Flavors of plum, black cherry, violet, chocolate and orange pair well with rich, red pasta dishes, hearty chicken dishes, and any beef combination that you fancy. The perfect match of course is chocolate. Not only does the chocolate compliment the wine and vice-versa, but the essence of both flavors linger eternally.
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