A Little Info About Merlot
Pronunciation: (mehr-LOW)
Merlot is an often ridiculed varietal that deserves a lot more respect than it typically gets. An immensely flavorful and versatile grape, Merlot blends well with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel but also stands up on its own. Wine snobs tend to deride Merlot as a second-class citizen, or a beginners wine, but there are fantastic Merlots to be had the world over - notably California, France, and Chile.
Merlot may lack the tannin levels of its Cab Sav rival, but there’s no shortage of fruit flavors (cherry, blackberry), and its softer mouth feel appeals to many wine drinkers.
| Flavor Profile | Food Pairings | Common Regions | Key Producers |
| plum, cherry, blackberry, spice, raspberry | poultry, red meat, pork, pastas, salads - Merlot can handle them all well | Bordeaux, California, Washington State, Chile, South Africa | Chateau St. JeanShafer Vineyards Whitehall Lane St. Clement Columbia Crest Covey RunChateau St. Michelle Chateau Souverain Smoking Loon |
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