Despite the tundra where we now live, it will be warm inside and tonight’s a big night for those who follow the movies as well as for all Downton Abbey (DA) fans. I count myself in both camps and I’ll be hard pressed to decided which to watch. I know I will have a glass of something while I flipping between them. When watching DA, I always think I should have a claret (Bordeaux) but while watching the Oscars, a wine from California. I can split the difference and have a Bordeaux style wine made in California most certainly. What might that be? Perhaps a blend Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other grapes or a Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend? So many different styles of wine to choose from.

There is a whole association dedicated to this pursuit in fact. Meritage is the term for wines made from these blends in the United States. I rarely used to drink these wines but as I am now enrolled in the mighty Master of Wine program, I am tasting everything I can and thinking about wine styles in a new way.