About Red Meritage Red Wine

About Red Meritage Red Wine
Meritage (rhymes with "heritage") is a term coined in California to describe a blended wine made with Bordeaux varieties. While there could be a white Meritage, the term generally refers to a red wine, thus made with any combination of five grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

Established in the 1980s, the concept of Meritage wines was initially greeted with a good deal of fanfare, but today, that excitement has waned. Most of the 100 plus wineries that make a Meritage-style wine are in California; many do not even use the term on the label, preferring their own fantasy name.

Meritage red wines age similarly to a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and are best paired with red meats and game.

Top Picks for Red Meritage

Fox Run 2019 Red Meritage Seneca Lake
92 points
$45
A distinctive, savory and inviting red blend with great table appeal.
Arrowhead Spring Vineyards 2018 Meritage Reserve Red Meritage
91 points
$24
A rush of fruity acidity follows a savory and oaky nose; a lovely wine for food pairings.
Outlander 2019 Meritage Paso Robles
89 points
$7.99
Best Buy
Chocolatey oak entices the California Red drinker to this dynamic Meritage from Paso.
89 points $7.99 Best Buy
Rodney Strong 2016 Symmetry Red Meritage
88 points
$60
A high quality blend that makes a great table wine to pair with a wide variety of foods.
South Coast 2017 Red Meritage South Coast
87 points
$16
A firm, friendly Meritage Blend that will fit right in at the table.
Monte De Oro 2018 Simplexity Red Meritage
86 points
$43
A lively red fruit juice bomb that will be a hit at your next family grill out.