Osborne announces release of Solaz Merlot
The Osborne wine family of Spain has announced the newest addition to their highly successful line of Solaz wines from the Tierra de Castilla region in Spain. Since its debut in 2000, the original Tempranillo-Cabernet has been joined by two other Solaz wines: a Shiraz-Tempranillo blend and a white from 100% Viura. In July 2006, the much-anticipated fourth wine in the line extension, Solaz Merlot Tempranillo, will begin national US distribution.
Osborne Solaz Merlot Tempranillo 2005 ($8) is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Tempranillo grapes grown at the pioneering Osborne Malpica estate, located due west of the medieval city of Toledo. Poised to be as approachable at the dinner table as at a casual event, Solaz Merlot was aged for four months in new American oak, resulting in a brilliant cherry hue with jammy red fruit and subtle oak on the nose. Solaz Merlot is an easy choice for grilled tuna with tropical fruit chutney, smoked chicken or grilled bratwurst.
The Solaz brand continues to exemplify wines that are approachable, versatile and affordable in the competitive world of international wines. According to AC Nielsen, Osborne Solaz is one of the fastest growing brands in Spanish wine, with an explosive 54% volume increase over the past year (ended April 8, 2006).
The Osborne Malpica winery, home of the Solaz wines, was borne of the Osborne family’s desire to explore a new direction in Spanish winemaking. With an initial investment of more than $45 million (USD), the 233 year-old winemaking company built a state-of-the-art facility and planted vineyards on a vast expanse of land in the fertile central Spanish plain.
This bold move has allowed the family to cultivate, experiment with and craft estate wines from non-native vinifera without restriction from an appellation governing board. The early result of this grand experiment is a line of wines tailored to the Tierra de Castilla terroir in order to present the products of truly the best grapes, native or not, that this boundless region can offer.
Grupo Osborne, one of Spain’s most prestigious family-owned producers of wine and spirits, crafts a variety of products under the Osborne name in addition to Solaz, including Brandy de Jerez, Sherry and Port. Other wines and spirits in the company’s portfolio include Bodegas Montecillo (Rioja), Dominio de Malpica (Tierra de Castilla), Señorío del Cid (Ribera del Duero), and Anis del Mono anis liqueur. Osborne products are imported by W.J. Deutsch & Sons of White Plains, NY.
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