What does the term "Meritage" refer to?

The term "Meritage" specifically refers to blended wines made from Bordeaux grape varieties, which include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, among others. The nomenclature was created in the United States to categorize and promote high-quality blends that reflect the style associated with the Bordeaux region of France.

Wines labeled as Meritage are crafted using these varietals but are not bound by strict regulations like those found in the Bordeaux AOC system; instead, they are certified through the Meritage Alliance. This designation allows winemakers the creative freedom to blend wines in a manner that emphasizes balance, complexity, and expression of terroir while adhering to the tradition of Bordeaux-style blends.

The other choices do not accurately represent the definition of Meritage. Options focusing solely on purple grapes, white varietals, or single varietal wines do not encompass the intended meaning of the term, which is about blending rather than varietal characteristics.