Wine For Novices

Commonly Mispronounced Wine Words

I have had spirited, but I hasten to add, polite disagreements about the pronunciation of wine terms with guides in famous wineries. I am amazed at how few actually know proper pronunciations. I must confess that with all the terms we should know, it is overwhelming at times. In the spirit of helping novices such as me, here is a pronunciation guide to a few words I hear commonly mispronounced.

Meritage- In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify hand-crafted wines blended from the traditional "noble" Bordeaux varietals including: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec or Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Sauvignon Vert. "Meritage," pronounced like "heritage," was selected from more than 6,000 entries in an international contest to name the new wine category. Meritage is an invented word that combines "merit" and "heritage" — reflecting the spirit of members of The Meritage Association.

Viognier - Here is the audio link for the correct pronunciation

Dégustation de vin  - wine tasting.

Muscat- one of my favorite dessert wines; pronounce moos-kah

Sommelier A restaurant employee who orders and maintains the wines sold in the restaurant and usually has extensive knowledge about wine and food pairings.

WFN Best Wines Under $10

1. 2005 Bohemian Highway Cabernet Sauvignon $8.
2. 2004 Columbia Crest Two Vines Merlot $8.
3. 2006 Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon $9.
4. 2005 Bohemian Highway Chardonnay $7.
5. 2005 Catena Chardonnay, Mendoza $10
6. 2007 Pacific Rim Gewurtraminer $10.
7. 2004 Folie à Deux Ménage à Trois California Red, $9
8. 2004 Smoking Loon Viognier, California, $10
9. 2005 Esser Cabernet Sauvignon, $10
10. Your Suggestion?

Can a good wine be had for $10? Absolutely. If you usually skip the bargain displays at your wine seller and head for the more expensive stashes in the back, you’re missing out on worthwhile wines at sensational prices.

Anything that’s good and inexpensive tends to be a little offbeat, but when a inexpensive wine gets a good reputation, it becomes less of a value. For example, my number two recommendation could be found in our store's "bargain basement" at $4. until Wine Spectator named it a "Best Buy" last year. The Two Vines Merlot immediately doubled in price.

I call these wines our weekday or "house" wines. I will talk about "Sunday" wines another day. Enjoy!

Tell us your suggestions for the "Under $10" list HERE.

And The Winning Wine Is...

"A Toast To 2009" was a magnificent evening and great fundraiser for Kalein. Special thanks to O'More College of Design for the use of Abbey Leix mansion and to Mark McGill and his company ProForma for donating our beautiful Kalein wine glasses.

Rhonda & David Kemp took home a room full of wine after winning the evening's blind tasting of almost 40 wines by a landslide with a 2004 Aries Pinot Noir from Robert Sinskey Vineyards. Retail price around $23. This is a GREAT wine and a GREAT value.

Top 10 Wines from "A Toast To 2009"
1. 2004 Aries Pinot Noir-Robert Sinskey Vineyards $23.
Dr. David & Rhonda Kemp
Total Votes-106
Wine Spectator Score-87
2. 2002 Hentley Farm Shiraz $28.
Dr. Mark & Rosemary Hilliard
Total Votes-82
Wine Spectator Score-86
3.2005 Elements Red Wine Artesa Vineyards $17.99
Robert D. Smith
Total Votes-78
WS-N/A
4. 2005 Testarossa Pinot Noir- $40.
Hans Ott
Total Votes-77
Wine Spectator Score-89
5. 2005 Allterra Cabernet Sauvignon $20.
Jeff & Gina Kremkau
Total Votes-71
Wine Spectator Score-N/A
6.2005 Bohemian Cabernet Sauvignon $8. BEST BUY!
Kerrie Hardwick
Total Votes-70
Wine Spectator Score-N/A
7. 2007 Beringer White Zinfandel $5. BEST BUY!
Josh & Rebecca Trombley
Total Votes-68
Wine Spectator Score-N/A
8.2005 Hecula Monastrell $14.
Randy & Chris Elrod
Total Votes-64
Wine Spectator Score-N/A
9.2005 Esser Cabernet $12.
Toby Sturgill
Total Votes-59
Wine Spectator Score-82
10.2006 Rosenblum Zinfandel Rockpile Rockpile Road Vineyard $40.
Spence Smith
Total Votes-59
Wine Spectator Score-91