International Merlot Day is November 7th and to celebrate we’re sharing just why this delicious grape is so special. Merlot is one of the world’s most popular red wines and rightfully so. This wine rose to popularity for its versatility, affordability, and food-friendliness. It is also a rather easy grape to pronounce (MARE-low), which is thought to have been a reason it became so popular in the United States. As it rose in popularity over the years, it is now the second-most planted grape in the world. Merlot means “the little blackbird” in French, a reference to the grape’s dark color or the blackbirds’ enjoyment of eating these grapes.
The Merlot grape is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire des Charentes. Since it is made from Cabernet Franc, it is a half-sibling to Cabernet Sauvignon, another popular red. Merlot is a dry, full-bodied wine with medium tannins. It has fewer tannins than your average full-bodied wine, making it easy to drink. While Merlot is very versatile, its prominent flavors and tasting notes include black cherry, plums, blackberries, raspberries, graphite, herbs, and cocoa. When aged in oak, it often has clove, vanilla, and cedar flavors. Merlot is known to adapt to its climate, and its aromas and notes really take on the character of its terroir and winemaking techniques.
Raise a glass of Merlot on November 7th to celebrate this iconic day! It is a day to honor the Merlot grape and give this wine a try if you haven’t already. Now that you are an expert on Merlot, it is time to try the best Merlot’s on the market! We have rounded up 3 of our favorite Merlot’s that will make this wine your new favorite.
Cakebread Napa Valley Merlot
From Napa Valley, California, the Cakebread Napa Valley Merlot is one you won’t want to miss. This Merlot has aromas of blackberry, black cherry, plum, and mocha with undertones of crushed stone minerality and flowers. This wine is lush, silky, and elegant with concentrated flavors of fresh blackberry and black plum, that develop into notes of toast and oak. It is an excellent companion to pair with pork, pheasant, and veal.
St. Francis Sonoma County Merlot
The St. Francis Sonoma County Merlot is a rich, silky Merlot with classic flavors and aromas of cherry, ripe plums, and bittersweet chocolate. It is balanced by soft tannins and a bold, lengthy, and spicy finish. Pair this wine with beef, duck, or blue cheese for the ultimate pairing.
Montes Classic Merlot
The Montes Classic Merlot hails from some of the finest growing sites in Chile’s Central Valley, predominantly the Colchagua Valley sub-region. This Merlot has intense aromas of both red and black fruit such as strawberries, plums, and figs. There are also mild notes of toast and chocolate with a spicy backdrop of white pepper. The tannins are round and soft and give a pleasant, sweet sensation, which perfectly balances the white pepper. Pair this with a delicious bowl of pasta or with slow-cooked beef.
