Fog Mountain Merlot (PET bottle) 2006
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Fog Mountain is a wine that evokes the cooling fog of California's hillside vineyards, in a provocative, revolutionary bottle that embraces a modern approach to reduce its carbon footprint while delivering superior convenience and value.
Fog Mountain is delivered in a revolutionary 1-liter PET (#1 plastic) bottle:
- 33% more wine – two extra glasses – than a standard 750ml bottle
- 60% smaller carbon footprint
- Less energy to produce, ship and recycle
- 100% recyclable
- 7 recycled Fog Mountain wine bottles can produce 1 extra-large t-shirt
- Quality assured; protects wine quality
- A convenience revolution: lightweight & shatterproof
- Perfect for picnics, barbecues, camping and life-on-the-go
Recommended for picnics by the San Francisco Chronicle:
"Dark boysenberry, touched with earthiness on the nose. A fruitier palate that offers some spice and concentration; long finish."
- June 21, 2009
Today the fourth most widely planted red variety in the state, Merlot has much to offer. While it bears similarities to Cabernet Sauvignon (its half-sibling), it tends to be lower in both acidity and tannins, giving Merlot wines a mouthfeel that is often perceived as soft, round and plush. These qualities make it an ideal blending partner for Cabernet, the two complementing each other throughout.
Merlot arrived relatively late to the California wine scene. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when producers like Louis Martini, Sterling and Matanzas Creek—influenced by European Merlot blends—began crafting single varietal versions. These trend-setting bottles opened the eyes of others in the California wine scene and spurred increased plantings. From there, the variety’s lush drinkability led to a surge in popularity, then overplanting (some of it on unsuitable sites) and finally a backlash that was turbo-charged by the infamous 2004 film, Sideways. What most viewers didn't realize was that, as much as Miles derided the variety, the prized wine of his collection—a 1961 Château Cheval Blanc—is made from a blend of Merlot with Cabernet Franc.
Fine examples of California Merlot—either as a single varietal wine or as part of a blend—can be found from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, the Central Coast and most regions around the state. Merlot wines offer a ripe, sensual mouthful of plummy fruit, suggestions of mint, herbs and vanilla, all carried along by an approachable structure and often, a great potential for improving with age.