International Merlot Day is November 7th.
Despite the fact that Paul Giamatti exclaims in the wildly popular 2004 movie Sideways that he's not drinking any fu¢king Merlot, it remains popular worldwide.
Often described as a soft, supple and approachable, Merlot is a crowd pleaser and one of the first red wines I started drinking after college. Now, I was not a wine expert in those years and Merlot was one of the only grape names I knew at the time, so... Regardless of my ignorance concerning all things wine, I found it to be a pleasant and easy drinking quaff that went well with food &/or friends.
Merlot is the 2nd most planted grape variety in the world and is native to the Bordeaux region of France but is also widely grown in Italy (Tuscany and Friuli Venezia Giulia) and California (Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles) see 1st map. The Bordeaux wines, which are mainly from the right (east) bank of the Gironde Estuary and Dordogne River (see 3rd map) are less fruit forward than those from California and Italy.
Bordelaise Merlots lean towards earthy flavors, lower alcohol, lighter body and brighter acidity while their new world counterparts tend to have ripe red and black fruit flavors, higher alcohols and bigger bodies. Merlot wines are often described as "luscious, smooth, silky" and "velvety" since they lack high tannins and acidity, so common in their brethren, Cabernet Sauvignon. This is why these two varietals are often blended together by Bordeaux winemakers. They complement other.”
Merlot can be high in alcohol since the grapes ripen early (about two weeks earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon) and with high levels of sugar. It is the grape sugars that are fermented into alcohol, but I won't torture you with the chemistry of it all, you may look it up here if interested.
Fast forward many years, now I do know a bit more about wine and I will tell you that we are entering prime Merlot season right now. As the temperatures dip and our meals become more hearty, we want a wine that can warm us up and hold its own next to the food that accompanies it. Again, these tend to be lush, big fruit wines and will pair well with beef stews and even spicy chilis, especially given that Merlot can have cocoa and spice flavors. This is a great cold weather wine, so go light a fire, put on a pot of stew and enjoy a glass or two of Merlot with a great meal, a book or with friends and family.
This 2015 Clos Rene Pomerol pictured is a right bank Bordeaux blend with 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that I enjoyed with friends last Christmas. Cheers!
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