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Wines

Meritage

Wine style and varietal guide

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  • Red
  • Red • Dry
  • 12–14.5% ABV
  • Medium body
  • Dry sweetness
  • medium acidity

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Choose this if…

  • ✓You prefer dry, crisp wines without residual sweetness.

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  • ✗You prefer sweeter or off-dry wines.

At a Glance

12–14.5%ABV
DrySweetness
mediumAcidity
MediumTannin
MediumBody
16°CServe

Nutrition values are style-level estimates. Actual values vary by producer and serving size. How we calculate this →

On this page

What is Meritage?

A blend of Bordeaux grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. It is a full-bodied wine with flavors of dark fruit, tobacco, and cedar. Produced mainly in North America.

Taste profile

Dry sweetnessmedium acidityMedium tanninsMedium bodyBlack FruitOakFull BodiedTannic
Black Fruit(high)Oak(medium)Full Bodied(low)Tannic(medium)

Sensory profile

BodyLight – Full
DrynessSweet – Bone dry
TanninSoft – Grippy
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
Beginner-friendlyAcquired taste – Easy intro
  • Style: Red
  • ABV range: 12–14.5%
  • Medium body
  • Dry sweetness

What do these dimensions mean?

Body
Medium
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
medium
Tannin
Medium
  • Black Fruit · high intensity — Meritage blends commonly show dark Bordeaux-variety fruit.
  • Oak · medium intensity — Meritage commonly uses oak ageing.
  • Full Bodied · low intensity — Meritage can be full-bodied.
  • Tannic · medium intensity — Meritage commonly has tannic structure.

Based on structured style profile and canonical flavor relationships.

Grape & region

Grape varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec
Region(s)
California, Washington State
Country
United States
Sweetness
Dry
Skin contact
Extended red-wine skin contact

How it’s made

Method
American Bordeaux-style blend made from permitted Bordeaux varieties, typically fermented separately, blended and aged in oak.

How to serve

Serving temperature
16°C
Glassware
Bordeaux glass

Dietary

How Meritage fits common dietary preferences (general guidance — always check the specific producer).

  • Vegetarian
  • Gluten-Free

Frequently asked questions

What is Meritage?
A blend of Bordeaux grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. It is a full-bodied wine with flavors of dark fruit, tobacco, and cedar. Produced mainly in North Ameri
What does Meritage taste like?
Meritage is often described as Black Fruit, Oak, Full Bodied, Tannic. Flavour intensity varies by region, producer and vintage.
What foods pair with Meritage?
Meritage pairs well with Charcuterie, Cheese Board, Roast Meat, Steak. Food pairing suggestions are based on complementary flavour profiles.
How strong is Meritage?
Meritage typically has an ABV of 12–14.5%. Strength varies by producer and vintage.
When should I drink Meritage?
Meritage works well as an aperitif, with a meal, or as a standalone sipping wine. The ideal occasion depends on the body and sweetness level — lighter styles suit casual dining while fuller-bodied wines complement heartier dishes.
What wines are similar to Meritage?
If you enjoy Meritage, explore other wine styles with a similar body and flavour profile using the sensory bars as a guide. Wines with matching acidity and tannin scores will feel closest in character.
Does Meritage improve with age?
Cellaring potential for Meritage depends on the producer, vintage and storage conditions. Most everyday expressions are best enjoyed within 3–5 years of release. Premium examples may benefit from longer ageing — check producer notes for guidance.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?
Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Tannin/Bitterness (soft to grippy), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent), Boldness (delicate to bold) and Beginner-Friendly (acquired taste to easy intro). Each scale helps you compare wine styles at a glance.
How do I use the sensory profile to find wines I like?
If you enjoy light, crisp wines look for Light Body with Crisp Acidity. For bold, rich wines choose Full Body with Grippy Tannin. Compare Meritage with similar wine styles to find your next favourite.

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Wine style information is approximate and varies by producer, region, vintage and serving size.