Merlot wine: what you need to know, taste, how to drink, snacks and food
Merlot is adored for its intense cherry flavor, soft tannins and chocolate aftertaste.
On the other hand, it is often confused with Cabernet Sauvignon (although it can also be present in the drink).
What you need to know about Merlot
The birthplace of the grape
Merlot is a resistant and unpretentious variety native to Aquitaine, known for over 300 years and still one of the most popular grape varieties in France.
The name in translation roughly means "blackbird"
The reason for this, as many believe, is the bluish-black color of the berries.
Where else does Merlot grapes grow
In addition to France, Merlot is planted in Chile, Australia, Algeria, California and Italy.
What is the specialty of this grape
A distinctive feature of Merlot is its low astringency and relatively low acidity.
In addition, this variety has a fairly high sugar level.
As a result, the drink made from it is light, harmonious and very refreshing.
Italian Merlot brands
They are distinguished by greater sweetness and clarity of flavors, tart aroma of spices and a distinct breath of grape alcohol vapors.
The Tuscan version, aged for two years in oak barrels, will delight connoisseurs with notes of coffee and blueberry.
Merlot from the New World
First of all - Chilean brands. Local conditions are very different from the weekend, so the wine is more acidic and tart.
The taste contains not only berry motifs, but also elements of white pepper and mint.
The aroma is rich, with notes of plum jam.
The most expensive Merlot
Was sold at auction in 2011.
A lot of 1961 Petrus bottles cost $144,000, which is $12,000 per bottle!
Taste of Merlot wine
Varies greatly depending on aging and origin.
The most common Merlot variety comes from Bordeaux. This drink has a rich berry flavor, where blackberries, currants, raspberries and cherries are intertwined.
The aroma of young wines may contain notes of cocoa, violet or plum.
Beverages aged in oak barrels get a whiff of sweets, truffles or even tanned leather.
How to drink Merlot
Serving temperature: 60-68°F / 16-20°C
Glass type: wide wine glass
Tasting: 30 minutes
Snacks and food for Merlot
Merlot is a great wine that is suitable for a variety of dishes. Don't be afraid to experiment!
For example, for a Tuesday evening, an entry-level Merlot will be suitable for: pizza, barbecued chicken or panini with bacon and mushrooms.
For a wine with Merlot dominance and additional, for example, Bordeaux, it is suitable: roast turkey, beef rib or rustic ratatouille. For braised meat specialties, try adding a chimichurri sauce.
Merlot from the New World is suitable for: rack of lamb, roast veal or filet mignon with red wine sauce with peppercorns.
For Merlot of long aging, 10 years or more, aged goat cheese is suitable as an appetizer.
Update: 07.06.2019
Category: Wine and Vermouth