Beginning with the 2009 vintage, Mer Soleil Silver has been sold in ceramic carafes resembling old Tequila bottles. Why you may ask? The Wagner family used to hundreds of acres of table grapes in Mexico and Mer Soleil winemaker Charlie Wagner II is a big fan of tequila. The name "Silver" references that this wine sees no oak, just as "silver" tequila sees no oak and is sold as a pure expression of the blue agave.
The "bottle" is made of ceramic, and while not recyclable, it has many uses. My colleagues use it as an olive oil dispenser, since its opaque and won't allow the oil to be destroyed by light, but I think the best use is as a chiller. Keep a clean, dry bottle in your freezer and when you need to instantly chill a bottle of white, pour the new bottle into the cold ceramic bottle and the wine will chill instantly. Ceramic is a poor conductor and will hold its chill for a long time. In fact, a bottle of Mer Soleil Silver pulled from the fridge can stay cold for over an hour outside in the summer sun, so there's no need to fill an icebucket or to keep running in the house to refill.
The 2010 has arrived and retails for $29.95 per bottle in cases of 12. Get yours now!
"Light gold. High-pitched aromas of green apple, lemon zest and white flowers. Dry and racy on entry, then plumper in the middle, offering juicy citrus and orchard fruit flavours that show a refreshingly bitter quality. Finishes taut and nervy, with good clarity and spicy persistence. No excess fat here."
88 points, International Wine Cellar, Oct/Nov 2011
