Merlot Red Wine Is Loved For Its Versatility In Accompanying Dishes

Merlot is one of the most popular red wine varietals in the world. From restaurants tables to wine cellars, Merlot has retained its place as one of the most common wines consumed. It is drank with friends, family, and is commonly used at wine tastings. Although many people love the taste and smoothness of a good Merlot, few know much about it or where it originated from. Fortunately, I have written the following article that will give you the Merlot knowledge needed to impress your friends, family, and your hosts at a wine tasting party.

Merlot is a red wine grape that is commonly used by itself or as a blending grape. Certain researchers believe that Merlot comes from the Cabernet Franc grape. It is believed to have originated in the Bordeaux region in France. The Bordeaux region is where some of the highest quality Merlot red wines are processed. Other countries that cultivate great Merlot wines include Argentina, Chile, Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia, and the United States.

Merlot grapes are bunched quite loosely and are made up of large berries. The skin is much thinner and has fewer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot grapes usually have a lower level of malic acid and less sugar.

Merlot is a very easy wine to pair with food. Its diversity makes it easy to find food to pair with it during a wine tasting. Merlot wines that are similar to or are blended with Cabernet Sauvignon pair well with the same foods that pair well with Cabernet Sauvignon. Grilled meat would be a good choice. A fruitier Merlot will pair better with dishes with lots of mushrooms, greens, or salmon. I recommend that you not pair Merlot with blue cheeses or spicy foods.

The following article should have armed you with the proper knowledge to impress your friends, family, and fellow wine fanatics at the next wine tasting you attend.

Merlot wine originated from the most planted grape of the same name in the famous winemaking region of Bordeaux, France. Today, it is produced by reputable vintners in countries like Italy, Chile, USA and Australia. It flourishes in regions where the temperature is cool and the sun always shines.

It owes its popularity mainly to its soft, velvety taste that complements its fruit flavors, which include red cherries, blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry, mulberry and plum. However, some earthy notes also touch your palate in every sip. Hints of mint, tea-leaf and tobacco may be tasted. Also, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, caramel and other deep notes may be sensed if it has spent some time in oak.

It is sometimes drunk straight as a varietal, which means wine coming from just one grape variety. But Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are often blended to make up one of the favorite wines served in restaurants.

Merlot usually comes in a Bordeaux, or high-shouldered, bottle. It should be served just below room temperature. Be careful not to let it reach 74 degrees F, as it will, most probably, cause a sharpness that is not exactly a welcome taste in your mouth. One suggestion to have the desired temperature of the wine is to cool its bottle in a refrigerator for approximately 15 to 20 minutes and not any longer.

This wine is also loved for its versatility in accompanying dishes. With a Cabernet Merlot wine blend, you will enjoy having cheese, pate or game. This particular wine blend will give you the sweet fruit characters of Merlot with some acidity and tannin of Cabernet. Meanwhile, the varietal's softer versions are likened to Pinot Noir that they also perfectly complement salmon, mushrooms, radicchio and other light dishes. You will appreciate very well prawns, scallops and other shellfish with the light-bodied type of this wine. You would be surprised that even casual meals of pizzas and burgers would taste good with Merlot.

You might also wonder about what they call the Bordeaux Blend. This is your first class Chateaux blend made up of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Teriyaki beef, filet mignon, roast lamb, ostrich and Gorgonzola cheese are just some of the dishes that this blend pairs well with.

As a varietal or as a wine blend, Merlot is one wine that you can enjoy with almost every dish you can think of. Perhaps, the only menu items to avoid when having this wine are strong cheeses and spicy dishes as they will overwhelm the wine's flavors and may even make the wine taste bitter.