All About Magnificent Merlot

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Merlot is one of the most well-known red wines in the UK and can be found in any premises that sell wine, making it one of the most widely-drunk red wines today.
Part of the reason for Merlot's popularity is are deliciously soft, easy-drinking qualities that make it a wine that's nice to sip on its own, or drink with a meal.

In the wine-making region of Bordeaux in France, Merlot is the most widely-planted grape, where it is often blended with other wine grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It is equal in character to Cabernet Sauvignon, but the grape itself is not as hardy and is prone to rot as well as damage during harsh weather changes in spring.

When the grape does grow well, however, it will be plump and soft and impart lovely cherry and plum tones to the wine produced from it. It ages well and takes on a smoky edge with cellaring.

Food pairing

Light Merlots are perfect for sipping on their own, or when drunk with light pasta or pizza. The heavier varieties, which are Cabernet-like in body, are best paired with richer, red meat dishes such as steaks and spaghetti bolognaise.

Merlot does not, however, go particularly well with blue cheese or highly salted food, which make it taste a bit metallic.

Regional production

The grape is planted in the Friuli region of Italy to quite a large degree. Here it is sometimes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Blanc, and in Tuscany it's often blended with Sangiovese. The grape offers a low acidity which balances the high acidity of many Italian grapes.

Italian wines from this grape are light in body and offer herbal notes.

The wine is produced on a big scale in California, and ranges in flavour from simple, very fruity wines, which are occasionally referred to by critics as 'red Chardonnay', through to barrel aged examples which tend to be more serious.

Argentina has been consistently producing Merlots that display a good balance of acidity, tannic structure and ripe fruit, and the wine is also produced in Chile, Australia and New Zealand.

French Merlots tend to be the most expensive to buy, and so if you want to try some good Merlot that isn't going to cost the Earth, Chile, California and Australia are currently all good bets for wine that's kinder to the pocket without compromising on taste.


About the Author:
Dominic Donaldson is a wine expert. Find out more about Merlot and the great deals that await.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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