Berghold Merlot

On Saturday, the bf and I went to a performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls for my company's picnic. I decided this was the perfect moment to open the bottle of Berghold Estate Winery's Merlot that I purchased while visiting Lodi, California in May. I remembered that this was a nice semi-dry red with a slight oakey aroma and flavor that I enjoy in reds (but care not for in whites so much). So determined that I must preserve the experience in its entirety, I purchased some plastic wine glasses from BB&B an hour before leaving my house for the event. I just felt that normal disposable glasses was going to do a terrible injustice to the experience of this wine.

Well, my memory of the wine served me well. The aroma was strong but pleasant after I let it breathe a little in its glass (though plastic it was). It seemed to pair okay with the light sandwiches that we had for dinner--especially since the chicken salad sandwich was lightly flavored with dry berries. The wine didn't overpower the food at all.

I wish I would have remembered the particular flavor of the wine... I've gotta get better at writing notes as I am drinking the wine rather than reflecting later on a taste that has long since been washed from my tongue. Suffice it to say, however, that the wine was memorable enough as an enjoyable experience that I would definitely buy it again.

I know Lodi has a reputation for being the cheaper, less refined wine region of California. My cousin states, though, that the area is coming into its own these days. It's hard to believe Lodi would ever have a bad reputation, for two of my favorite wines come from this region: Earthquake Zin and 7 Deadly Zins (both bottled by the same winemaker, Michael & David Family). Perhaps I'm just not a good enough wine-drinker to distinguish greatness from Greatness. But I always accolade and buy the wines that taste good to me.

Apology for abandonment

Hey, all... Sorry that I've not updated this blog in awhile. It's not that I've not been drinking wine; I simply have not been drinking new ones to rave about yet. I know, I know--I should get in the habit of categorizing and describing all the wines that I drink. I do have a few bottles--a Merlot and a Zinfandel--that I acquired from a winery in Lodi, CA when I visited in May. As soon as I open these bottles, a review will be written. (I did drink them at the winery, but did not have tasting notes with which to describe their aroma and flavor, and since it's been a few months, I simply remember liking them.)

I did revisit Emerine Estates to try their Deja Vu, which I did find very good. A write-up is due as soon as I open that bottle I brought home. It's easier for me to take conscientious note of the wines when I am at home and by my computer.

Right now I have two bottles of wine open: a Chalet Debonne Merlot and a Emerine Estates Caramel Apple. The Caramel Apple is borders on being too sweet for me, but I did open it for a party I had last weekend because I knew my friends would enjoy it (probably more than me). The Debonne Merlot is okay--Ohio is not the best producer of good Merlots--and I knew it was going to be this way, but I got the bottle for free from a bicycle tour in the Ohio wine country that I rode last year. Though, I have to say that by Ohio standards, it's a drinkable Merlot--not too desperately dry in that "dead" way that I often attribute to Merlot from the northeast states. It's fine, but not something I'd go out of my way to buy. No, Debonne does a much, much better pinot noir-syrah blend that I love. They also have a great Chamborcin.

Anyway... not much detail there, I know. Maybe later when I'm near a wine bottle. Tonight it's back to the Winery at Wolf Creek for an picnic dinner and drink (inspired by the description of my friend Diane's recent birthday visit there with her husband).