Merlot is a dark blue-colored wine grape variety which is called Picard and Langon. Merlot wine is regarded as the underdog to Cabernet Sauvignon. Its softness and freshness make Merlot one of the primary grapes.
It’s believed to be an offspring of Cabernet Franc and a sibling of Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon. The earliest record of Merlot was in 1784 as one of the area’s best. In Italy, it was first recorded in 1855. In the 1990s, Merlot’s popularity in United States rocketed due to its softer and fruity profile.
Merlot’s tastes vary based on the climate.
In cool climate (France, Italy, Chile), it’s more structured with a higher presence of tannins and earthy flavors (i.e. tobacco and tar).A classic example is Right Bank Bordeaux, such as St. Emilion Pomerol and the earthy Fronsac.
In warm climate (California, Australia, Argentina), Merlot is more fruit-forward and tannin is less prevalent. A classic example is California Merlot, such as Paso Robles and Napa Valley.
We sampled a 2012 Merlot from California. It has a luscious aromas of blackberries and cherries, complemented by flavors of ripe plum with a smooth finish.
Food Pairing:
- Wild Mushroom & Parmesan Cheese Risotto
- Garlic & Herbs Roasted Chicken
- Truffle Mustard/Aioli Sandwich with Honey Glazed ham
- Smoked Cheddar Cheese & whole wheat/sweat potato crackers
Truffle mustard sauce received the most votes. It’s rich scent matches with Merlot’s medium tannin and aroma. The smoked cheddar came as the second most popular choice.
Fun facts:
- The most planted variety in France
- $1870 for a bottle of Merlot? - the most famous Right-Bank Bordeaux called Chateau Petrus
~ Game unfinished - who's going to win? ~
No comments:
Post a Comment