MANDOLIN MERLOT, CENTRAL COAST, CALIFORNIA, 2006
COST: $10-12
WHAT: This is an extremely pleasant wine at any price, but at $10, it's a steal. It's smooth, warm, sensuous and loaded with fruit. It has a pleasant floral aroma with a powerful black cherry taste, mixed with a little spice that comes from eight months aging in French oak barrels. Chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before drinking.
WINERY: Mandolin is a small winery with big ambitions. Veteran winemaker Philip Zorn and longtime wine executive Brent Shortridge work with grape growers in Monterey County to create wines known for balance, finesse and distinct varietal characteristics. The winery was founded in 2000 and is named for the mandolin, an instrument prized for its beautiful tone and great carrying power.
GOES WITH: It was superb with a hearty beef vegetable soup. It also would go well with grilled lamb, hamburgers and mild cheeses. Its lively fruit flavor would be fantastic with cold strawberry soup. If you keep it slightly chilled, it would be perfect with most Fourth of July picnic foods.
REACH DENNIS SODOMKA AT DENNIS@BOTTLEREPORT.COM. READ HIS COLUMN ON PINOT GRIGIO/PINOT GRIS IN THE JUNE/JULY ISSUE OF AUGUSTA MAGAZINE.
THE GOOD LIFE
FRIDAY
First Friday tasting at Wine World, 5-8 p.m., six wines and cheese sampling; fee rebated with purchase of a featured wine
FRIDAY-SATURDAY AND JULY 10-11
Wine fest, Vineyard Wine Market, 4:30- 6:30 p.m. Friday, 1-6 p.m. Saturday
JULY 16
In-shop tasting, cheese sampling at Wine World, 5-8 p.m.; fee rebated with purchase of any featured wine
JULY 24
Beer tasting at Wine World, 5-8 p.m.; $4, with a $3 rebate with purchase of six bottles of featured beers
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