Blend of Grapes : A Competition to Name That Wine

News and notes from the wine industry . . .

The Assn. in Search of a Name, a new group of California wine makers, has announced a nationwide contest to come up with a name for the category of wines that are blended from the classic Bordeaux grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot and others.

The group of more than 30 wineries believes that the best wines made from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape and its cousin varieties are those that are blended. Until now, the public has viewed varietal designations, naming the grape on the label, as the highest art of the wine maker. But by U.S. law, such wines have to be made up of 75% of the grape named on the label, which many wine makers feel is limiting to their creativity.

However, in Bordeaux, where such wines have been made for centuries, the blending of many varieties produces classic wines. (For example, Chateau Palmer is composed of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Petite Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc.)

The association also includes members who intend to produce a white wine from Bordeaux varieties Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle, and will use the new name.

Top prize in the contest--and the only prize--for the person submitting the winning name for the wine category is a 10-year vertical collection of the members’ wines, about 40 cases to this point. The prize may grow as new wineries join the association.

Among the member wineries of the group are Bellerose, Beringer, Carmenet, Clos du Bois, Cocannon, Delorimier, Dominus, Dry Creek, Franciscan, Flora Springs, Phelps, Jekel, Keenan, Merlion, Meridien, Merryvale, Pahlmeyer, Geyser Peak, Dry Creek, Lyeth, Sterling, Rombauer, Hess Collection, Vichon and Zaca Mesa.

To enter the contest send a name suggestion on a postcard to Name, Box 557, 433 Kearney St., San Francisco, Calif. 94108. Include name, address and telephone number. Entry deadline is Dec. 10. If the same name is submitted by more than one entrant, the one with the earliest postmark wins.

The house of Salon, one of the world’s finest--and most expensive--Champagnes, has been sold to Laurent-Perrier.

The purchase was announced jointly by Laurent-Perrier and the seller, Pernod Ricard. No change in Salon is anticipated and the wine still will be marketed in the United States through Pearson & Hawkins Ltd. of Santa Barbara.

Salon, which sells for $100 per bottle, is a single-vineyard, all-Chardonnay-based Champagne.

Renato Ratti, one of Italy’s most dynamic wine makers, died after a long illness at 54.

Ratti, owner of Abbazia dell’Annunziata in Piedmont, had been president of the Consortia of Piedmontese wines (Barolo, Barbaresco and Asti Spumante) as well as a member of the national wine rating agency, an author, lecturer and curator of the wine museum in the abbey.

The most festive time of the wine harvest season is upon us.

Release of the first wine of the new vintage in France, Beaujolais Nouveau, is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 17. And traditionally, California producers who also make a Nouveau-style wine usually release their wines about the same time.

Interestingly, reports from Beaujolais and California’s northern grape growing regions sound the same regarding wine quality. Both regions had hail during the early part of the growing season, reducing the size of the crop, but making highly concentrated wines.

About the time of the release of French Beaujolais each year, there is a “race” to market by many of the major producers, some using jets, others employing balloons and parachutes, and still others taking the old overland method of horse-drawn cart.

Prices for California’s top Nouveau wines usually are in the $6 to $7 price range. Prices for French Beaujolais Nouveau will range from $8 to $10.

Glen Ellen Winery in Sonoma, marketer of the highly successful line of Proprietor’s Reserve wines, has changed the name of its top-of-the-line wines to Benziger, after the family name.

Previously, Glen Ellen was the brand name and Benziger Family Selection was the designation of the wines. The change drops the Glen Ellen from the label and the name Benziger will appear in large letters.

Chateau St. Jean has created a clever mini-wine education course that requires only a telephone call--and it won’t cost consumers anything.

The Sonoma County winery has set up a toll-free telephone number that offers discussions about the 1988 harvest, what’s happening at the winery or a detailed listing of St. Jean’s currently available wines.

Callers who telephone (800) 332-9463 reach a tape machine that offers a series of options, accessed with a touch-tone phone.

The historic Lost Hills Winery in Acampo has been purchased by a New York investment group for $6 million. Heading Lost Hills Associates is Jason Korman, who also owns La Crema Winery in Sonoma County.