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Top 5 Meritage at the LCBO
If I Could Buy Only One – February 20th VINTAGES Release
We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from this release, which one would it be and why?” John Szabo – Fans of pinot noir in the more fruity, supple new world style will want to have a look at the Thelema Mountain Vineyards 2018 Sutherland Pinot Noir. From the Southern Ocean-cooled […] More
Buyers’ Guide to VINTAGES February 20th, 2021
A New World Pinot Noir Primer by David Lawrason, with notes from John Szabo, Michael Godel and Sara d’Amato Long time readers will know I am irresistibly drawn to pinot noir, like a moth to a porch light. Not because it is always divine but because it is always real and intriguing. Its spirit is […] More
D’Amato & Szabo: Wine Thieves – Episode 22
The Cartographer of Montepulciano At some point in every wine lover’s deepening obsession, they fall down the cartographic rabbit hole. If you’ve fallen prey to this map-centric preoccupation, don’t miss this episode of Wine Thieves. John and Sara speak with mapmaker straordinario Alessandro Masnaghetti, founder of Enogea, publisher of the world’s most detailed maps of […] More
National Wine Awards of Canada
Discover Canada's best wines! In 2016, 22 judges tasted 1,535 wines from 230 wineries across the country to identify Canada's top wines.
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World Wine Awards of Canada
Seventeen judges tasted 1,000 wines in 21 categories in 2015 to find the world's best wines sold in Canada under $50.
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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.
