Judith Henderson’s Wine & Country Living

2012 Spring Release: This weekend, wineries across the state participated in showing the year's newest red and white wine releases.

Reports are in: 2012 broke all attendance and wine sales records over previous years. The one surprise was the 2009 Couvillion Merlot, a juicy ruby red, one of the only merlots released this year. Pronounced, Coo- Vee-Yon, this Walla Walla winery opened its doors in 2006 and quietly racked up an impressive line of awards including Best Walla Walla Wine Made By A Woman, Top 50 Wines of Washington State and Best New Washington Wine.

About the Wine: The Couvillon '09 Merlot exhibits what a great merlot wine should reveal: chubby black currants, juicy Bing cherries, edible violets, perfume of rose, pestle of whole clove and shredded bay leaves. When merlot is aged in oak, the flavor profile deepens in sweet wood, new leather and a curious melding of macerated orange and sage honey melding center tongue.

About the winemaker and owner: Jill Noble is anything but reserved. While standing on a 16-foot ladder she's been known to yell, "I am Spartacus!" She will lock herself and staff members in the facility to press, filter and rack, plays the Beastie Boys on level 10 and encourages belly laughter!

Wine Honors: Jill, because you believe that life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage, yours truly, Judith Henderson of Wine and Country Living, honors you with 98 points of wine perfection for your rock 'n' rolling, berry popping, velvet tongued Couvillion '09 Merlot. Congratulations Team Couvillion! 509-337-6233.

Readers, until next week, "Eat Art, Drink Imagination!"

Merlot Cherry Glaze

1 cup merlot wine

1 cup honey

¼ cup water

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon each: ginger, whole cloves, bay leaf,

cinnamon stick, curry powder

In a sauce pan over medium heat simmer whisking until reduced by half, thick and shinny. Strain glaze through fine mesh strainer, cool and serve with roast spring lamb or blackened chicken paired with a bottle of Couvillion '09 Merlot.

Hear Judith's live commentary, photo, recipe and wine pairing at www.chefjudithhenderson.com