Merlot

Grown in Bordeaux, France, where it is used to blend with Cabernet Sauvignon (in Pomerol and St. Emilion). Also California, New Zealand, Italy and Chile produce fine examples. It is worth noting that for years, many Chilean vineyards confused their regional grape, Carmenère, with Merlot! Now it is labelled correctly and methods have been improved, many Chilean Merlots and Chilean Carmenères in fact, are winning awards! So it is well worth revisiting these if you weren’t initially struck by their superb quality, which is now very much evident.

Very fruity- plums and black cherries. Feels velvety and round in the mouth with low tannins and can produce aromas of mint. There are some very bad examples though, tasting flat and lacking body.

Garnet, brick red and ‘ripe’ looking.

Low price Merlot’s are great value and easy to drink. Much more expensive when blended e.g. in Bordeaux. Some of the most expensive wines in the world are Chateau Petrus and Chateau Le Pin, which are Merlot based blends from Bordeaux.

Can be drunk on its own or goes well with tuna, monkfish, pork, casseroles or spicy foods e.g. Indian cuisine.