By Amy L. Schubert Food Writer Published Apr 19, 2008 at 10:02 AM

This week's wine pick is a 2002 Markham merlot from Napa Valley, which we sampled at a tasting at Shully's Cuisine and Events, 146 Green Bay Rd., Thiensville.

This is one of the bolder merlots I've sampled over the years and will not break the bank. Ranging in the low $20 range per bottle, expect heavy raspberry and loganberry undertones which go well with gamier meats like lamb or venison, where often I'd reach for a cabernet instead of a merlot. Here, the Markham is a perfect fit.

The 2000 Wine Spectator rating on this bottle was 86. And, like many of Markham's wines, this bottle is going to be one of your better buys for the price range.

Amy L. Schubert is a 15-year veteran of the hospitality industry and has worked in every aspect of bar and restaurant operations. A graduate of Marquette University (B.A.-Writing Intensive English, 1997) and UW-Milwaukee (M.A.-Rhetoric, Composition, and Professional Writing, 2001), Amy still occasionally moonlights as a guest bartender and she mixes a mean martini.

The restaurant business seems to be in Amy’s blood, and she prides herself in researching and experimenting with culinary combinations and cooking techniques in her own kitchen as well as in friends’ restaurants. Both she and her husband, Scott, are avid cooks and “wine heads,” and love to entertain friends, family and neighbors as frequently as possible.

Amy and Scott live with their boys, Alex and Nick, in Bay View, where they are all very active in the community. Amy finds great pleasure in sharing her knowledge and passions for food and writing in her contributions to OnMilwaukee.com.