Learn about Merlot

image of h3 merlot
H3 Horse Heaven Hills Merlot

Learn about Merlot

Merlot, “how low can you go?” Merlot sales were once on the rise, a favorite among women wine drinkers in the early 2000 years. Then, in 2004, came the movie “Sideways,” surging Pinot Noir to new heights and knocking Merlot off its pedestal. There was a lot of cheap Merlot on the market prior to the movie. It was on the sweet side and not very good. Now Merlot is back and better than ever.

Merlot is one of the grand grapes of Bordeaux and the predominant grape in the great wines from St. Emilion in Bordeaux. Merlot is often used in small amounts in a Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Merlot is grown in Sonoma County, the Napa Valley, and in many other wine regions of California.

Character of Merlot

In some ways, Merlot is a lighter version of Cabernet Sauvignon, although some producers can make Merlot into a very robust wine. Merlot has aromas and flavors of blackberry, plum, currant, chocolate, and vanilla. Merlot tends to have more herbaceous characteristics than Cabernet Sauvignon.

Under $20 Merlot wines we like

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Foods we like with Merlot

Merlot on the vine in the Napa Valley

Merlot on the vine in the Napa Valley