I'm a bit confused about what a Meritage is and why they are more expensive than say, a Merlot or a Cabernet?

Ceri's Answer: A Meritage is a blend of Bordeaux grape varietals, most usually Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The winner of a contest in The Los Angeles Times coined the term "Meritage" in 1981. The idea was to distinguish American wines made in the Bordeaux style, without having to label the wines by varietal. This has proven to be especially useful on wine lists.

These wines are typically more expensive because they are made from the best grapes and aged in the most expensive barrels. Meritage is a premium style of wine, both white and red (yes, they also make white wines in Bordeaux from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes). Because these wines are more expensive to produce they cost more at retail.

I love to have people over for dinner and we drink a lot of wine but I never really know what to tell people to bring when they ask. Got any tips?

Ceri's Answer: Going to the style guide on this website can really help. If you are last minute at figuring out what you are going to cook, dry white without oak and light red are the two most versatile styles to suggest they bring. Remember that big flavoured wines can over power food.