pilarzmom's Full Review: Red Bicyclette Merlot 750ml
French wine has always been a little bit intimidating for me, not to mention typically beyond my price range. However, I took note of some colorful displays of a wine label called Red Bicyclette and decided to push past my French wine phobia. What I discovered was a very drinkable, yet affordable wine. While certainly not as complex as an exclusive French wine, I have come to really enjoy wines from this label, and in particular, their Merlot.
My impressions
Red Bicyclette Merlot (2005) is a very dark red, what I would categorize as burgundy color due to its purplish hues. Its bouquet is distinctly plummy, with just a whiff of vanilla. I find it to be a typical medium-bodied dry red wine with a balanced berry palate that shows with supple tannins resulting in a slightly tart finish. There's nothing surprising or unexpected with this wine, but that's what makes it a good choice as an everyday red and something that is ready to drink now without further aging. It works well with beef and pork and with tomato-based Italian dishes.
The labeling is bright and fun, with a hand-drawn picture of a man with a beret (I guess this is how Americans perceive Frenchmen?) riding a red bicycle with a basketful of baguettes and a dog running behind with a baguette in his mouth. I admit I prefer colorful and playful labeling over the more bland, traditional, and in my mind, stuffier labeling.
There are only a few negatives to this wine. The first is that it comes bottled with synthetic cork. I don't love or hate it, but it definitely does make it feel a tad less elegant. The second is that its regular price of $9.99 is a bit high for an everyday table wine. This is perhaps because it does carry a slightly higher classification than "table wine" in France. Fortunately, I do see Red Bicyclette frequently on sale for a few dollars off. I find it in my local liquor store here in Colorado and back in California I first encountered it at Cost Plus World Market.
What's the story behind Red Bicyclette?
When I first researched this wine I found it interesting that although it's produced and bottled in France, its copyright information on the website listed Healdsburg, California, which is in Napa Valley. Huh? What's going on here? A little googling uncovered the fact that Red Bicyclette was the creation of American Mega-Winery, E & J Gallo. They actually did quite a bit of market research and testing with Americans consumers before launching this brand some five years ago. This process not only focused on taste testing but also on consumer attitudes toward French products and how best to develop a brand that Americans would be receptive to. Apparently we like images of the French countryside, hence Red Bicyclette was born, intended to evoke a feeling of a cozy French village.
Recommendation
I find Red Bicyclette Merlot to be a good reliable everyday wine. My husband and I enjoy it during the week, but if I'm looking for something special to uncork on the weekend, it wouldn't be my first choice. Overall, I give it 4 stars, as it's better than many wines in its price range, although as a Merlot, it can't compete with some higher priced offerings.
Wine Details (2005 vintage)
Grape Source: Gard, Herault, Aude, France
Varietal Content: 100% Merlot
Residual Sugar: 0.35g/100mL
Acidity: 0.56g/100mL
Alcohol level: 13%
This review is my contribution to Barb's French/English write-off.
Recommended:
Yes
Winery Name: Red Bicyclette Varietal: Merlot County or Appellation: Vin de Pays D'OC Price: 9.99
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