2022 Cuda Ridge Wines Merlot With Pork Chops and New Spices
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Larry Dino, owner and winemaker at Cuda Ridge, was beyond excited at getting the news that his 2022 Merlot got mentioned as being one of the thirteen favorite Merlots from around the world. To be mentioned in an article featuring Merlot wines from Bordeaux, Tuscany, Napa Valley, Santa Maria Valley and Washington and some running up to $1,000 a bottle is some accomplishment and recognition.
Photo from Cuda Ridge Wines
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo from https://film-grab.com/2013/11/21/sideways/
Paul Giamatti, the actor in the iconic movie “Sideways” playing the role as Miles and his disdain of Merlot almost killed this wondrous grape varietal in California. Even after two decades with Paul’s comments, Merlot is slowly recovering from his disparaging comments on the varietal. His classic comments ranging from “No, if anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving” to “I am NOT drinking any ####### Merlot!” only begins to frame the movie.
Photo ©Michael Kelly with Pinot Noir grapes in background
A great book that just came out called “Sideways Uncorked” by Kirk and Mira Advani Honeycutt recaps the Merlot saga as well as the rise of Pinot Noir. Many did not understand the significance of the end of the movie with Miles saving a bottle of Chateau Cheval Blanc, a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc that he was saving for a special occasion! He ended the movie confirming his love of Merlot!!
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First on the eyes a deep purple and magenta color with a medium-heavy viscosity. This is no ordinary Merlot upon first glance! This would have made even Miles take pause and notice! Once the cork was popped, the strong aromas of plums and blackberries rushed into the senses hinting as what was to come! This mystery dark wine with beautiful aromas once in your mouth only begins to tell the story of this varietal by Cuda Ridge Wines. The dark plum flavor along with blackberries co-mingled happily like an Irish jig on the palate. On the palate, one is struck with the boldness, jammy (not sweet but texturally) and a chewy quality of the wine. On the finish, black pepper counterbalanced by a note of vanilla with subtle tannins in the background, provide an enduring conclusion to each sip.
The wine comes from the eastern portion of Livermore with the majority (90%) being Thatcher Bay vineyards where the cooling afternoon winds provide an overall warm climate. Larry adds 7% Smith Ranch vineyard Petit Verdot and 3% White Cat vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon to make this elegant wine. Barrel treatment is 90% French oak with 44% being new and 10% American oak barrels. The wine is in barrels for 19 months. Now the newsflash – it is listed at $40/bottle and comes in at 14% alcohol with only 220 cases produced.
This wine just made my annual Best Wines Tasted in 2025 for the quality and value in the category up to $51.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Adding to our wintertime “comfort foods” we decided on very thick pork chops tonight, approximately 2 ½” thick. First a spice rub coated the two pieces with ingredients of brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, sea salt, black pepper and chopped parsley. Tonight, two new spices from Flatiron Pepper Company were added to the rub mix; one being the Dark and Smokey (chipotle, ancho and habanero peppers) and Hatch Valley Green (Hatch green chili, jalapeno, habanero peppers). The characteristics of the spices are phenomenal with smokiness, sweet & savory tastes, citrus, intense heat and bright green chili flavor. The pork chops were first seared on the stove top and then baked in the oven.
Accompanied by sauteed asparagus, small red potatoes that were halved, then seasoned and roasted. A fresh garden salad was served with pepita seeds, cherry tomatoes, green onions and crumbled Blue cheese.
A winning combination of food and wine with its fruit, surrounded each bite of the spicy pork, cooling it down and it provided a great counterbalance to the dish.
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
There is a lot to be said about Cuda Ridge Wines in Livermore, California with Larry Dino as the winemaker and his wife Margie as chief wine taster. They produce Bordeaux style wines. The Cuda Ridge Wines tasting room is located at 2400 Arroyo Road in Livermore, California. Cuda Ridge Wines current production is approximately 2100 cases. They produce the following Bordeaux varietals: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and most recently their addition of Carménère. Always experimenting, Larry Dino also has produced non-Bordeaux style wines which are designated under their Black label, these wines include Sangiovese, New-World style Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and others. Each varietal produced are small lots ranging from 100 – 450 cases. Cuda Ridge does extensive blending of varietals and strives for lower alcohol wines with intense complexity and character, traditional of the Bordeaux style wines.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
“Sideways Uncorked” by Kirk Honeycutt and Mira Advani Honeycutt