Kirkland’s Merlot: From the Polish Contessa

October 28, 2008

by Roberta Murphy

Eve Sieminski (aka the Polish Contessa) is our guiding light for fine wine–especially for those premium wines that fit within most budgets.

And that may be one of the finest luxuries of all.

Eve’s latest oenophilic enthusiasm comes unedited (and I am headed to Costco tomorrow!):

Hi Roberta!

Here is a review of Kirkland’s Merlot.

Generally I tend to shy away from any generic or name brand wines. Kirkland’s Merlot definitely fits into this category. As an avid Costo shopper, though, I am always cruising the wine aisles to see if there is anything new to sample, or anything that just catches my eye. I have to tell you the Kirkland Merlot did neither–but I did pick it up just to see what the label read:

I saw: 2005 Masters cask series, 14.5 alcohol content and from Napa Valley…..hum…..hum…..As I am intently reading the label, a fellow shopper sees I am perplexed.

She asks: “Have you tried this wine before”? Why no, I haven’t….. she advised, “Do yourself a favor…. try it”!

Now I have had this same advice in many a wine store and have experienced some bitter outcomes. Still, I love the Kirkland brand, and decided to give it a try–and put one lone bottle in my basket.

Upon arriving home, I immediately opened the bottle for breathing. Unfortunately, I couldn’t wait! Twenty minutes later I poured myself a glass.

HUMMMMM….

The nose is really nice. Swirl, swirl, swirl…. Sip, WOW!

Not only does this not taste like any Merlot I have ever had, but it is actually really assertive and bold! Can you imagine a Merlot like this?

I really like this wine, and the woman at Costco was right.

Mocha and cedar notes finish off this fine wine (yes FINE WINE!); all this, and for $9.99 per bottle!!!!

You can order online with 2 bottles going for $19.99. If you want to impress without having to pay out the nose, this is a great wine to serve.

I am sitting here, sipping this wine and writing this blog……. run, run run, while this fantastic wine is still on Costo’s shelves!

Wine Tip:

The matter of wine glasses is important but way overstated at the present moment. A glass designed for a certain red can make those aromas more obvious, and prettier. But the same glass won’t ruin another wine.

In fact, just about any glass that has a tapered bowl can express the aromas in a wine. And while the high-end glasses can enhance an aroma, once you pour the wine in your mouth, one glass is pretty much the same as another.But most of the enjoyment of a wine comes from the aroma, so choose a glass that enhances the aroma.

Finally, make sure the wine glasses you use are clean. Glasses stored in cardboard probably smell like a cardboard. Glasses need to be rinsed and dried with a clean, cotton cloth.

Pour and enjoy!

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