In our home, we enjoy a regular nightcap. Or two. My husband has a theory that his body chemistry is wired for vodka, therefore he either shakes up a martini or drinks a few shots of straight vodka. If he’s on to an epiphany, then I am wired for wine. I discovered my penchant for vino several years ago when my brother worked at an Italian restaurant. He recommended a dry pinot grigio and I asked for a second glass. But somewhere along the way I stumbled on reds: Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet, Chilean reds - you name it, I love it.
I was thrilled to discover that red wines are full of antioxidants as well as beneficial for heart health. And since I believe that natural and organic foods are the best choices, I now search out the best organic wines. When I find a good one, I stick with it for awhile. Lately I’ve been enjoying Bonterra red wines - Cabernet and Merlot in particular. Though I’m no wine connoisseur, I grab their Merlot off the shelf most often and to be honest, I will always choose a Merlot over other reds.The back of the Bonterra bottle states, “Barrel aging in hand-crafted French oak accentuates the distinctive cherry-berry flavors in this soft yet complex Merlot.” Again, I don’t have a knack for describing wine properly, but I read the backs of wine bottles with avid interest, much like a book of poetry. I’ve found my favorites involve words such as berry, chocolate, oak, cedar, nutmeg, cinnamon, or vanilla, and not just describing the flavor. When I pour of glass of Bonterra Merlot, I whiff aged wood, vanilla, and spiked berries. The aromatherapy aspects plus the taste on my tongue makes for a great nighttime beverage.To me, this 2004 Merlot is soft, smooth, warm, full, and I definitely pick up on the berries. I’ve paired it with both chicken and beef or enjoyed it after a meal while talking with my husband over wild beeswax candlelight. The other plus is that it’s fairly inexpensive. Spec’s, a local liquor store chain, sells it for $12.00 and Whole Foods prices it about a dollar more. I also located this wine at Kroger (another local grocer) for around $12.00. I’m thankful for the ability to find a good quality organic wine at a variety of nearby stores.The other reason I like to support Bonterra is their organic grape farming principles. They began organic farming to improve the quality of their grapes, and they succeeded in both quality and wine flavor. They use cover crops such as yellow mustard and strategically place birdhouses around the vineyards to attract birds who feast on unwanted crop-killer pests. They release free-range chickens to consume cutworms and other peskies. On the other hand, nectar-rich plants attract friendly insects that do good in the vineyard community. And last but not least, the typically heavy clay soil of the region (Mendocino County, CA) is lightened by regular composting.Life would only be sweeter if I could find a similar local Texan wine, but until then, I feel very good about relaxing at night with wine that is produced by such sustainable means and incorporates biodiversity. Ultimately, I suppose I’m the messenger for you Californians who have an excellent local product at your fingertips.
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