New Release Details!

2007 Merlot and 2006 V. Merlot: 2007 Signature Label Merlot, is a lighter bodied red wine with nice acidity, making it the perfect pairing for Ham, pork tenderloin or cheeses. The 2006 Reserve V. Merlot is a fuller bodied red wine and drier then the signature label Merlot which makes this wine a complement to lamb, beef or game meat and is fantastic with fig reduction and other berry sauces. Merlot is also a delight when coupled with chocolate! The most planted grape in France, Merlot has battled a bad reputation in the USA. Over produced in the 80's and 90's in the lack luster over oaked approach, Merlot lost its finer qualities. Considered Cabernet Sauvignon without the pain, Merlot varies from lighter and less complex (often in the $13 and under category) to full bodied and robust. The step brother to Cabernet Sauvignon (sharing Cabernet Franc as father), Merlot is an often over looked wine. Here in New Mexico the grape does very well and at Vivác we feel it is so versatile when made with the necessary acidity that we make 2 every year; the lighter food friendly Signature label and the Cabernet Sauvignon style heavy reserve. Mix and Match on case orders and receive a 10% discount and FREE SHIPPING! -Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!

Hold it by the what?

Many people think there is so much about wine that is snooty, about being an elitist and while that CAN be true, MOST of it does have practical application! Holding the glass by the bowl warms the wine. While you might think this only applies to white wines, it in fact does not. You don't want to warm your reds above ideal serving temperature either, the warmer is not the better, in fact reds should be served slightly cool. The wine tastes different (this applies to whites and reds) when served , chilled, cool or warm! So pour yourself a nice glass of wine and raise a cheers by the stem of the glass... just don't talk about the legs! -Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!

Tannin in wine

If you are one of the unfortunate people out there battling headaches when you drink red wine, we may have the answer for you! Tannin is a histamine found in wine that can cause headaches. Red wine gets its color and some of its tannin from the skins and seeds it is fermented with. Red wine gains more tannin as it is aged in oak barrels. Try drinking lighter red wines such as Pinot Noir or Barbera which generally receive a lighter oaking or young wines that haven't spent much time in oak either. You can also find many red wines that are not oaked at all (read the back label on the bottle for this information), ask your local winery or retailer for suggestions. Play with types of oak, different wineries and different countries use different types of oak, we at Vivác Winery use 100% oak barrels. French Oak/ Hungarian Oak/ American Oak, each gives different flavors to a wine and may play a role in what you are sensitive to. The final word of advice is to be wary of type of oak addition, you may be able to drink wines actually aged in real oak barrels but not those that are aged with oak chips or oak dust (your cheapest wines will find these additives). White wines are separated from the skins and seeds immediately and are often not aged in oak at all (example is our limited edition Sauvignon Blanc aged in Stainless steel), these wines will be your safest bet. -Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!

Vivác Has a White Wine?

As Spring promises to come and the snow continues to fall, the Vivác Family readies the cellar with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay! It is known that we specialize in Dry Red Wines, but little know fact is that we have added Sauvignon Blanc to our list a number of years ago. This cult favorite is not aged in oak, but gently aged in stainless steel which gives it a clean, clear fruit that is elegant and refreshing! New to our line up is a Chardonnay! With our Sauvignon Blanc receiving such rave reviews and selling out instantly, we decided to add another white to the list. The Chardonnay will receive a light oaking in French oak giving it warm vanilla notes and a round mouth feel. This is not to be compared to a California Chardonnay but rather one from Burgundy, France. This food friendly wine is a stunner! Both of of these unique Vivác wines along with our beautiful Dry Rosé of Dolcetto will be released later this Spring! -Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!