Wine for an ASU Party or Tailgate? Try a Velvet Devil
From Charles Smith wines, comes a budget-priced ($11-$18) Merlot you may want to stock up on for any upcoming ASU parties or tailgates. It is branded the “Velvet Devil”, and with its pitchfork on the label, it is sure to be a good match with your “Sparky” table decorations that come out to celebrate our favorite local college sports.
Being a Columbia Valley, Washington State wine, the recent vintages are true to form as well-balanced Merlots that are sure to please just about every red wine aficionado. They offer a bouquet of spicy chocolaty earth, ripe cherries, and a peppery body with just a hint of what Charles Smith likes to call “chewy”.
This is also a good companion to one of the many Syrah varieties that Charles Smith wines and K Vintners have available, so you may want to have one of their Syrahs on hand for those who think that the Merlot is a little too wimpy. There are also many other wines available from Walla Walla, Washington so you may want to look into those as well.
Recently, the Velvet Devil has shown up at just about all the retail outlets with Charles Smith putting it into general distribution in a big way. As Merlot production continues to increase in the Columbia Valley, expect this brand to continue with each vintage. Charles Smith will always be a producer that can be relied on to pull off an excellent Merlot with a variety of flavors and character.
Serve with light meats (surprisingly good with meat loaf) and slightly chilled after 20 minutes in the fridge (60-65 degrees).
Article by Tom Peiffer, Phoenix Wine Shopping Examiner at Examiner.com
View more of Tom’s articles on Examiner.com by visiting his writer’s page.
About the Author - Tom Peiffer
Tom has been an avid wine consumer and collector for over 20 years. This pastime has taken he and his family on many visits to wine growing regions, including Arizona. During these excursions, with the accompanying tastings and lectures, it became clear that there is no "magic bullet" wine. For each wine contains its own character, strong points, and weaknesses. Sharing these experiences to help anyone purchase locally available wines is his goal.
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