2013 Merry Edwards 40th Anniversary Pinot Noir

Merry Edwards Winery is in the Russian River Valley, in Sonoma County. It was founded in 1997 when long-time California winemaker Merry Edwards started making her own wines on 24 acres in the Russian River Valley. Edwards started her career in 1974 at Mount Eden Vineyards and over the years has worked for Napa Valley producers and has been a consultant for many West Coast producers. Edwards and her husband Ken Coopersmith completed a state-of-the-art winery in 2008. They produce primarily Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.