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
Click to find recent reviews on these wines
- Curvare Merlot – Look for the Curvare at Costco, not always in stock
- Markham Merlot
- Columbia Crest H3 Merlot
- Bonterra Merlot
- Charles Krug Merlot
Foods we like with Merlot
- Healthy Portobello Mushroom Sandwich
- Pasta with a meaty sauce
- Pork tenderloin
- Costco Tri-Tp – seasoned and marinated with Cabernet
- Lamb – rack of lamb, leg of lamb
- Goat cheese pizza with red onions, green olives, and fresh herbs
Merlot on the vine in the Napa Valley