Weekly Wine Series - Merlot

Merlot is one of those grape varieties that is very much under appreciated. The movie “Sideways” hurt Merlot sales tremendously and many winemakers stopped making it throughout the 2000s.

Fast forward to 2020 and we see that Merlot has made quite the comeback. There are several high-end producers in Napa Valley that are making incredible Merlots as a single-varietal wine.

Merlot is often used as a blending grape in Bordeaux blends because it helps to soften the tannins and balance the overall blend. Some Bordeaux blends are primarily Merlot, while others may use less than 10% of Merlot.

In this post, you’ll find a brief overview of Merlot including interesting facts, food pairing recommendations and bottle recommendations. I have included bottle recommendations for every price point. Believe it or not, there are some incredible Merlots that you can find for under $20!

Overview

Facts

Merlot is a red wine, and you’ll often see it blended with Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux blends.
Merlot ripens early, and it’s thin-skinned.
It’s known for its full-bodied yet soft fruit.
Merlot is the second-most planted grape in the entire world behind Cabernet Sauvignon.
Merlot is the most planted variety in Bordeaux, France.
The first mention of Merlot was in 1784 in France. More specifically, the Right Bank of Bordeaux.
Merlot was originally used as a blending grape, and it was thought of as a “secondary” grape. It would be many many years before Merlot would become a highly respected grape.
The name Merlot is derived from the world “merle” or “merlau” which were words used to describe black birds in the region. As Merlot gained popularity, winemakers started referring to it as “little blackbird” or “young blackbird.”
Merlot is planted in a wide variety of countries and grows in various types of climates.

Food Pairings

Merlot is a wine that can pair with a wide variety of foods. It’s very versatile due to its mild tannins and higher acidity. Merlot pairs beautifully with a variety of cheeses, steaks, chicken, pork, pasta, pizza and even spicier dishes like jambalaya.

Here are some recipes to check out if you’re looking for an awesome Merlot food pairing:

Bottle Recommendations

Under $20 Wines

Splurge Wines

Recommended Products

Like this post? Save it for later!

Weekly Wine Series – Merlot