Merlot is one of the most widely grown grapes in the world. It’s a red wine that many rely on due to its ability to please so many palates. Merlot wines can range from very fruity simple wines to more barrel-aged wines. In a typical Merlot glass, the flavors you will find are black cherries, berries, plum, chocolate and some herbs. Depending on the climate, Merlot wines will range in taste. For example, in cooler climates, Merlot’s will tend to have higher tannins and earthy flavors such as tobacco and tar. While in warmer climates, Merlot’s will have less tannins and bring out fruitier flavors.
In regards to Merlot, lamb would be the best food pairing by far. However, Merlot has many great qualities that makes it a food-friendly wine.
Fun Facts about Merlot:
– The name Merlot derived from the old French word for “young blackbird”. It was thought to have been given that name due to the grapes blue-black color.
– Merlot is one of the primary grapes for red wine varietals. The most popular blends are Cabernet Sauvignon- Merlot, Cabernet Franc- Merlot, Merlot- Sangiovese, and Merlot- Tempranillo.
– The major regions where this type of grape is grown are France (280,000 acres), Italy (93,000 acres), United States (55,000 acres), Australia (39,000 acres), and Chile (25,000 acres).
– Merlot is part of the Bordeaux family and it’s the 5th most planted wine grape in the world.
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