Wine Review: Fetzer's Light Tasting Merlot

Fetzer’s Merlot offers an everyday wine that fits well with a variety of food choices. The wine itself was a strong purchase for under $10 per bottle. I was pleased with the quality and unlike many of the brands I have tried there is a high potential that I would purchase this wine again. Of course, that does not mean I found the “perfect” wine but it does mean that Fetzer’s Merlot was of sufficient quality and taste to make it a recommendation for daily use.

Merlot is generally a light and fruity brand. In particular, Fetzer has a slightly higher pitched aftertaste even though the wine is smooth in its contour. Merlot is much softer and subtler in taste than Cabernet Sauvignon. It provides for an excellent choice for those who do not want to pucker. Such wine is drier than other varieties and has lower tannin levels that encourage this smoothness.

Since it is lighter to the senses it also goes well with lighter tasting foods that do not overpower it. It pairs well with a variety of different foods such as hamburgers, pork, chicken, cheese, meat that includes mushrooms and garlic. Merlot does not pair well with vegetables and it should be avoided when eating heavily out of this food group.

Fetzer offers the varieties of Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, White Zinfandel, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Mascato, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Malbec, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each of these wines a slightly different taste and texture based in its berry selection and fermentation process. You may read about each of the wines on their site at http://www.fetzer.com

The vineyard was originally founded in 1968 in Mendocino County California. It was part of a family owned business that was bought out by Brown-Foreman Corporation. They would test their grapes and productions within small gardens and if the quality was strong they would expand this experimental process to other parts of their vineyard.

Fetzer prides itself on its sustainable business practices. They have reduced their landfill waste by 95% while still providing a strong wine. Such sustainable products are a positive aspect of some companies that seek to raise their public impression while still maintaining an economically viable product. Reducing waste, pollution, and other causes of a depleting environment is a responsible business approach.