Wine of the Week

2009 Meroi Sauvignon “Colli Orientali del Friuli”

The Colli Orientali (eastern hills) of Friuli look right down into Slovenia. The vineyards there are some of the most prized in the region. You can see why when you taste this Sauvignon Blanc from producer Paolo Meroi, who cultivates his 34-acre vineyard organically. It’s rich, racy and pure. The 2009 has a bracing minerality, bright citrus flavors and a touch of lemongrass.

Splurge on a bottle to drink with lobster or Dungeness crab. It’s a great match with smoked salmon or trout, too, or your own gravlax.

While you’re shopping, check out the estate’s Nestri, a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, too.

-- S. Irene Virbila

Region: Friuli

Price: about $35.

Style: rich and complex.

What it Goes With: crab, lobster, smoked fish.

Where to Find it: Uncorked Wine Shop in Hermosa Beach, (424) 247-7117, https://www.uncorkedhermosa.com; Wally’s Wine & Spirits in West Los Angeles, (310) 475-0606, https://www.wallywine.com; Wine House in West Los Angeles, (310) 479-3731, https://www.winehouse.com; and Wine Exchange in Orange, (714) 974-1454, https://www.winex.com.

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