MERITAGE BLENDING CLASS

Every spring (that we’re able), just before we bottle our own DWC Meritage, we offer our wine club members and their guests an opportunity to create their own “Bordeaux style” or Meritage blend in our Meritage Blending Class. It’s truly fun and exciting and is always one of my favorite events to work and this year was no exception.

We start everyone out sampling the three components we use in our own Meritage: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In addition to an instruction text and a blending sheet, winemaker Katey Larwood and assistant winemaker Alex Bond give guidance, viticulturalist Phil Davis talks about… well everything that grows under the sun, and tasting room manager Jeremy Broshears and myself are both on hand to lend a hand when needed.

We encourage participants to make several varying 100mL blends highlighting different aspects and with the cost of the ticket each brand-new winemaker takes home a bottle of their favorite. Many can’t resist buying several more. We even offer magnums! The great fun lies in comparing the Damiani Wine Cellars’ Meritage from the same vintage with your own.

If you are a lover of red wine, Finger Lakes wines, and especially red blends, this is an event you shouldn’t pass up. I hope to see you next year!

~Brandy Ahouse, Wine Club Manager