Peter's Wine Nugget: Decoy Merlot 2008

Merlot doesn't always get the respect it deserves. It can seem to get lost in the shuffle between Cabernet and Pinot Noir. Granted, there are a lot of undistinguished Merlots, but there are lot of lackluster wines out there in general. With a little effort you can find Merlots that will change your perception of them.

Merlot is all about texture . A great Merlot is like velvet on your tongue — soft, lush, and extravagant. And they're not as tannic as Cabernets, so they are very food-friendly. The best pairings elevate both the wine and the food, creating a sensation that is greater than the sum of its parts. Pan-sear a flank steak marinated with cracked black pepper, top it with goat cheese, and pair it with the refined 2008 Decoy Merlot by Duckhorn, and you'll discover the elegance that a well-made Merlot has to offer.

The 2008 Decoy is lush and just slightly herbaceous, with notes of blackberry, blueberry, and dark chocolate. Velvety and graceful, almost articulate — if this wine were a person he'd be a professor holding a book. 

Recommended pairings: A lady at night on a boat, gnocchi, a bacon cheeseburger

Serving suggestions: Straight out of the bottle into your glass

2008 Duckhorn Decoy Merlot, $25.99

Peter's Wine Nugget: Helfrich Riesling

Riesling is misunderstood. The perception of Riesling as a simple, syrupy white wine isn't exactly wrong, it's just incomplete. There is a whole range of Riesling styles, anywhere from dry to extremely sweet. German Rieslings often give you information about themselves; you just have to know what to look for on the label.

If you want a very sweet German Riesling, look for the word Auslese. If you want a drier one, look for Kabinett. And Spatlese is in the middle.

While most of the Riesling you'll see in stores is from Germany, there are also really lovely ones that come from France, specifically from a region called Alsace. Alsatian Rieslings are drier than German Rieslings, and can often be a great value.

The 2007 Helfrich Riesling from Alsace is a great example of this style. Dry, with great citrus and honey notes on the nose, this wine has a drop of golden nectar in the center surrounded by orange peels and peaches. It has good acidity, so it tastes well-balanced and would pair well with food, particularly fish, but would also drink just fine by itself.

This is a great alternative to the syrupy sweet style that is so common.

Recommended pairings: the ocean, sunsets, pears, Jimmy Buffett

Serving suggestions: Cold, but not super-duper cold

Helfrich Riesling, $11.99