Hello my friends! Everybody loves Merlot, and like many other grape varieties, it gets its own appreciation day! While preparing this post, we couldn't find the story of why the particular date was chosen, but every year on November 7th, International Merlot Day celebrates one of the most popular red wines in the world. It is a good excuse to encourage those who have never tasted Merlot wine to try it. But do you know the meaning of the word 'merlot', where does this grape come from or who produces it better? Let's dive in!
Merlot was first mentioned as a grape used to produce wine around the 18th century in documents found in the Bordeaux wine region. Ever since its appearance in the world of viticulture, Merlot was considered perfect to produce fine and elegant red wines. The word merlot is thought to be a diminutive of merle. This is the French name for the blackbird, which most likely refers to the color of the grape. There have been insights into the genetic past of this grape, DNA profiling has shown that Merlot is most likely the offspring of Magdeleine Noire des Charentes and Cabernet Franc, the latter also the parent of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Many people think that a different grape, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, is the most widely planted in Bordeaux. However, that is not the case. More hectares in Bordeaux are devoted to growing Merlot than any other grape variety. In Italy, Merlot is the 5th most planted grape. The grape is the 2nd most widely planted grape in Israel. California, Washington, Chile, Australia, South Africa and Mexico also produce Merlot.
Wine experts describe the flavor of Merlot as a dark fruit flavor. These fruits include black cherry, blackberry, plum, and raspberry. These fruity flavors are layered with herbal tones as well as an undertones of vanilla and mocha. It is not a sweet wine, however. Merlot is a dry wine that some would consider bitter. This bitter taste comes from the skin of the grapes during the winemaking process. Merlot grapes produce a medium to full body wine, with medium-high tannins, a high percentage of alcohol and medium acidity. One of the main characteristics of Merlot is its smooth finish on the palate.
Pairing Merlot
Merlot wine matches with a wide variety of foods because of its position in the middle of the red wine spectrum. In general Merlot pairs well with chicken and other light meats as well as lightly-spiced dark meats. With medium tannin and not too much acidity you’ll find Merlot pairs well with many foods. Light, quaffable Merlots tend to work with pizza and other toasted cheese dishes such as panini and quesadillas. Also with pasta dishes with tomato-based sauces, especially with pancetta/bacon or mushrooms. They go excellent with charcuterie, grilled chicken, and especially with Mediterranean grilled veggies such as peppers, zucchini and eggplant.
Riper, flesher styles of Merlot, pair with lasagne, burgers, meatloaf and seared or blackened salmon. Classic, elegant Merlots or merlot-dominated blends e.g. from Bordeaux go with veal, pork or lamb - especially with herbs such as thyme and rosemary. You can pair it with a steak, a beef Wellington, duck (as those delicious Chinese crispy duck pancakes).
Our recommendation
Grey Single Block No.3 by Ventisquero (93 points Tim Atkins, 92 points Descorchados). This is an elegant, round, full-bodied wine with notes of blueberries, tobacco and black pepper. On the palate, the notes of prune invite us to think of a rich pasta with putanesca sauce.
Grey shows deep ruby colour with violet hues at the rim. It is very intense on the nose predominated by red fruit, such as strawberries and subtle notes of ripe plums, intermingled with a touch of oak from the barrel-ageing and notes of chocolate which enhance the final complexity of the wine. A full-bodied Merlot, boldly-structured wine, which fills the mouth thanks to its fine tannins and offers a smooth and persistent finish.
And that's a wrap for today! Enjoy International Day of Merlot and have a happy rest of the week! Let's meet again here next Wednesday! Until then... Santé!
Muy interesante