Liberty Creek Merlot Add
Magliano Poggio il Bestiale Add
Trentadue 'Geyserville' Merlot Add
Wines are recomendations only and may not be carried by this store.

Liberty Creek Merlot

Attributes:
Producer:

Liberty Creek
Region:

California, United States
Varietal:

Merlot
Bottle Size:

1.5 L

Food Matches:
Pasta & Grains: Lasagna
Poultry & Eggs: Roast Chicken with Herbs
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Casseroles / Hot Dish, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce
Vegetables: Beans, White, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Tomato

Merlot:

(mer loh) Deep in color, high in alcohol and low in tannins, this grape is grown mostly in California, France, Washington, New York and Chile. The aromas and flavors can be plummy, chocolaty, and even redolent of tea leaves. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon although it is the most prevalent grape variety in Bordeaux.


California:

California produces the majority of wine made in the United States. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir dominate the wine production in California, but many other varietials thrive in the California climate. Many fine wines are produced in California using Mediterranean grapes.

Magliano Poggio il Bestiale

Attributes:
Producer:

Fattoria di Magliano
Region:

Tuscany, Italy
Varietal:

Dry Red Table Wine
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2004: Tanzer Rating: 87
Acidity:

soft
Complexity:

rich
Flavors:

chocolate, licorice, red cherry, ripe fruit

2004: WineSpectator Rating: 92
Body:

full-bodied
Flavors:

currant, licorice, tar
Fruit:

ripe, sweet

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 82
Body:

medium body

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 86
Acidity:

fresh
Body:

medium-bodied
Complexity:

simple
Compliments:

pleasant
Flavors:

berry, plum

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 84
Body:

medium- to full-bodied

Food Matches:
Cheese: Parmesan
Pasta & Grains: (Grilled) Tofu, Lasagna, Mushroom Risotto, Pasta with Creamy Mushroom Sauces, Risotto
Poultry & Eggs: Duck, Game Birds
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Curried Beef, Curried Lamb, Curried Pork, Grilled Beef, Grilled Flank Steak, Lamb Stew, Rabbit, Salami or Sausage, Sausage
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce, Stock Reductions
Vegetables: Beans, White, Eggplant, Mushroom Risotto, Mushrooms, Peppers, Spinach Ricotta, Tomato Bread Soup, Vegetable Gratin or Stew

Trentadue 'Geyserville' Merlot

Attributes:
Producer:

Trentadue
Region:

Sonoma County, United States
Varietal:

Merlot
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2004: WineAdvocate Rating: 87
Flavors:

chocolate, coffee, earth, smoke

2003: WineAdvocate Rating: 89
Flavors:

black cherry, caramel, earth, smoke, vegetal

2003: CGCW Rating: 85
Complexity:

rustic
Compliments:

stylish
Fruit:

sweet

2002: CGCW Rating: 85
Fruit:

fruity

2001: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87
Flavors:

blackberry, cherry, oak
Fruit:

ripe, sweet

2001: Tastings Rating: 85
Acidity:

clean, soft
Complexity:

moderate depth

2000: Tastings Rating: 87
Body:

full-bodied
Complexity:

rich

2000: Tastings Rating: 86
Body:

full-bodied
Complexity:

rich
Compliments:

elegant
Flavors:

cherry, oak

Food Matches:
Pasta & Grains: Lasagna
Poultry & Eggs: Roast Chicken with Herbs
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Casseroles / Hot Dish, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce
Vegetables: Beans, White, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Tomato

Merlot:

(mer loh) Deep in color, high in alcohol and low in tannins, this grape is grown mostly in California, France, Washington, New York and Chile. The aromas and flavors can be plummy, chocolaty, and even redolent of tea leaves. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon although it is the most prevalent grape variety in Bordeaux.


Sonoma:

Like its neighbor Napa, Sonoma is a small area filled with independent wineries and characterized by microclimates that vary according to the topography. The coolest parts of Sonoma are the fog-filled south, where the grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Northwards up the valley the climate warms and provides a good base for Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. In general Sonoma wines are less dramatically flavorful than those of Napa. Cabernet Sauvignon is relatively soft, with blackcurrant fruit, minty and eucalyptus perfume, and some soft buttery oak. Zinfandel ranges from soft and gulpable to massive bramble and pepper styles. Chardonnay is rich and juicy, especially from the Russian River, and Sauvignon Blanc can be zingy and grassy. Most Sonoma wines have a freshness and a soft edge which makes them very suitable for drinking on their own, however they partner well with strongly flavored fish and meat dishes. The old-style Zinfandels are delicious with spicy cuisine.

Mexican Lasagna

Rated

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 tsp (10 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/4 lbs (568 g) lean ground beef
2 tbsp chopped jalapeño pepper
2 cups tomato sauce
1-1/2 cups (375 ml) low-sodium beef broth
1 tbsp flour
Salt to taste
6 small flour tortillas, cut into three strips each
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely chopped cilantro (optional)
2 cups shredded low-fat cheddar cheese

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

2. In a large pan, warm the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and green pepper and sauté until the onion becomes translucent. Add the garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes.

3. Add the beef and cook until brown. Stir in the jalapeño, tomato sauce, and half of the beef broth. Cover and let simmer.

4. In a bowl, gradually mix the flour with the remaining beef broth; add to the beef mixture. Simmer until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat, add the cilantro, and stir well.

5. Fill a casserole dish with the sauce, cheese, and tortillas in alternating layers, beginning with a thin sauce layer and ending with a cheese layer. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until heated through.

Yield

Makes 6 servings