Oeno Speaks
Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2002
by Vicki Reich, Grocery Manager, from the October 2006 Newsletter
The ancient Greeks believed that the goddess Oeno could turn water into wine, a skill her grandfather Dionysus gave her. This came in very handy when stocking their ships in preparation for war with Troy (so handy that Agamemnon wanted to abduct her and her sisters). The study of wine and winemaking, oenology, gets its name from hers. I’ve chosen to embody her as I speak to you as the Co-op wine goddess.
The wine selection at the Co-op has grown so much in the last year. It’s hard to decide what wine to buy. I thought I’d help out by talking about a particular wine every month (or almost every month). I’ll give you my tasting notes as well as some serving suggestions and general information about the varietal (or type of grape used to make the wine).
For the first wine, I picked Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2002 ($10) because it was a Washington wine, it was moderately priced, and it was a merlot (which I think a lot of people are familiar with). Merlot has become the most popular grape varietal in the U.S. mostly because it is softer than many red wines and easier to drink, making it more accessible to new wine drinkers. Merlots typically are medium body with berry, cherry and/or currant flavors predominating. The Columbia Crest was no exception. The initial aromas are of black cherry, oak and a bit of leather. There is a predominate cherry flavor with some hints of pepper and chocolate. It has a nice acidity and medium tannins but not much of a finish. As with many merlots, it was easy to drink. Wine Spectator gave this wine a score of 83 and recommends drinking it until 2008. I’d recommend drinking it with lighter meat dishes such as an herbed chicken dish or grilled lamb chops. Cheers!
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