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🍷 Meritage

Type of wine ✔ Checked: 10.2026 · sources: 6

An American name for wine blended from Bordeaux grape varieties.

Meritage is an American name for a wine blended from Bordeaux grapes. The word was coined in 1988 from two English words: merit and heritage. It was introduced so that producers in the USA could label red and white blends in the Bordeaux style.

For red Meritage the Bordeaux red grapes are used: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carménère. For white: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle. The rule is usually that the blend must include at least two grapes, and none may exceed 90%. The name belongs to an association, and only its members may use it.

Why did it appear? American producers cannot call a wine Bordeaux: Bordeaux is a protected place name. And the word blend meant little to buyers. So a new word appeared.

Meritage stands next to the Bordeaux blend. Both describe one idea: a complex wine from several grapes. But Meritage comes from the USA, not from Bordeaux.

Part of
🍷 Bordeaux blend
Similar and different
🍷 Bordeaux blend

Frequently asked questions

What is Meritage?

An American name for a wine blended from Bordeaux grapes.

Where does the word Meritage come from?

It was coined in 1988 from the English words merit and heritage.

How is Meritage different from Bordeaux wine?

Meritage is made in the USA on a similar recipe, while true Bordeaux comes from the protected Bordeaux area in France.

⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.

Sources

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