30 Days of Local Wine – Day Eight: Colchester Ridge Estate Winery, 2006 Merlot (VQA)

Mulberry with a touch of black cherry predominates in the CREW 2006 Merlot’s bouquet. Aged in an oak with a toasted quality, this lighter bodied Merlot fills your mouth with a sour cherry and plum taste. The finish is satisfying with cedar and a slight spiciness.

Because this wine is a lighter bodied red, it is an excellent “go-to” wine for dinner. It goes smoothly with many different dishes, especially anything with savoury herbs and a bit of saltiness: pasta, pizza, burgers, etc.

We especially recommend you try it with homemade pizza, though. Use lots of mozzarella and fresh basil. To get some great local cheese, we recommend trying out Galati Cheese at 931 Tecumseh Rd. W. (519.973.7510).

If you’re in the mood for some mulled wine, give this recipe a try. Nancy Gorski of CREW swears by it. It includes a bottle of this merlot and a bottle of this years Day 2 of the 30 Days of Local Wine, the Red Sky at Night.

Nancy’s Best Mulled Wine
Serves 8-10 people

• 1 bottle 2006 Merlot
• 1 bottle 2007 Red Sky at Night
• 15-20 cloves
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup brown sugar (or to taste. You can substitute with molasses, honey or refined sugar)
• 5 cinnamon sticks
• 2 tsp fresh or 4 tsp ground ginger
• 2 peeled, sliced oranges
• keep orange zest to add to pot for zing (to taste)

Best to submerse seasonings tied in a cheese cloth then remove before serving. Warm ingredients gently in a pot or slow cooker for a minimum of 1/2 hour. Avoid boiling. Double boilers work very well. Serve steaming hot and accompany with warm wishes for the season and your favourite appetizers.

OPTIONAL

• 1/2 cup Brandy
• Cardamom, as desired
• Nutmeg, as desired
• Almonds and raisins

Related posts:

1. 30 Days of Local Wine – Day Seven: Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery, 2006 Lady in Red
2. 30 Days of Local Wine – Day Twenty Eight: Mastronardi Estate Winery, 2007 Merlot (VQA)
3. 30 Days of Local Wine – Day Two: Colchester Ridge Estate Winery, 2007 Red Sky at Night
4. Mulled Wine by Mastronardi Estate Winery
5. 30 Days of Local Wine – Day Fourteen: Colchester Ridge Estate Winery, 2007 Riesling (VQA)