Sips and tips
Briefs and news of note.
By Times wires
Published April 18, 2007
RAISE A GLASS TO, AND OF, MERLOT
To heck with the Sideways rant against merlot . . . we still love it. Remember, though, with merlot, you generally get what you pay for. Your pleasure will be magnified by every additional dollar you're able to spend.
Here are some top-quality merlot producers to keep an eye out for: Andrew Will (Washington state), Bedell (New York), Beringer (California), Blackstone (California), Casa Lopostolle (Chile), Chateau Souverain (California), Chateau Ste. Michelle (Washington), Clos du Bois (California), Duckhorn (California), Francis Coppola (California), Leonetti (Washington), Northstar (Washington) and Shafer (California).
Knowing which wines are light
On the palate, light-bodied wines have a weight similar to water's, while full-bodied wines are more akin to whole milk.
As a rule of thumb, the lighter the wine in color and the lower its stated alcohol level (which is required by law on its label), the lighter its body.
Besides chenin blanc and Riesling, other typically light-bodied wines to check out this spring include muscadet, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, soave and vinho verde.
Diana's butler in the wine business
The former butler to Princess Diana, Paul Burrell has launched a line of syrah, chardonnay and rose wines, all made in Australia, and calls them the Royal Butler Collection, reports the Napa Valley Register. He was quoted in Britain's the Sun newspaper as saying, "I wouldn't give my princess just anything and I won't give American ladies just anything." Burrell splits his time between Great Britain and Clermont, west of Orlando.
The wine is available at Publix. Burrell's Web site, www.paulburrellrvm.com also offers furniture, rugs and china.
We'll always spend more for beer
Gas prices are high, the housing market is tanking and unemployment is rising. Even so, people are more willing than ever to spend a few extra bucks for a quality pint of beer.
According to Information Resources Inc., a provider of industry data, in 2006 the top 15 new beer brands measured by case sales volume were all selections from the "high-end" market - a group that includes flavored malt beverages like Bacardi Silver Peach, seasonal brews such as Jack's Pumpkin Spice, craft beers like Leinenkugal Sunset Wheat and imports.
After years of losing market share to the hip, Sex and the City-style world of spirits, brewers are now trying to lure drinkers back to the good old brewery. But rather than pushing their old-fashioned lagers, brew masters are creating new concoctions and joining forces with international names to bring an air of sophistication back to beer.
Times wires