« Asparagus Provencal | Main | Fruit Wines »

Merlot Madness

Merlot has long taken a back seat when it comes to popularity. Documented since the 1st century in France, Merlot is best known in Bordeaux as the grape that helps to soften the youthful astringency of Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Probably the most important and well known of the Merlot wines is Chateau Petrus, which is vinified of at least 95 percent Merlot grapes.

Overall, Merlot wines are less well known by comparison than most red wines. In the 1980’s, with the California wine trend coming on strong, the early to mature allure of Merlot caused a popularity spike that saw good sales and wide spread consumption.

The most recent trend in the red wine industry is all about the mighty Pinot Noir, popularized by the movie “Sideways.”

But, let’s get back to Merlot, a red wine that’s perfect for summer drinking.

The appeal of this wine is that it’s available in several styles. Depending on the region it’s grown in, the resultant wine can be light or full-bodied. And, its characteristics are a pleasure to ascertain in the glass and on the palate.

Take, for instance, a bottle of 2001 White Oak Merlot of the Napa Valley of California. The wine is a deep and dark color, burgundy black almost. Raised to the nose, its bouquet is filled with black cherries mixed with leather and wisps of cedar and cigar tobacco. Once on the tongue, the tastebuds will detect a nicely balanced wine with pleasant fruit accentuated with notes of oak and black currant.

The finish warms the mouth with the essence of crushed black pepper.

My absolute favorite to date is a bottle of 2001 Merlot from Standing Stone Vineyards of the Finger Lakes in New York. The garnet red color has tones of orange in its appearance and the instant it’s poured in the glass, its bouquet is apparent. Really ripe plums, cherries, violets and even rose accents light up the nasal passages.

On the palate, the wine is alive with forward fruit, black currant notes and the distant pleasures of mint, bay leaf and even a hint of clove.

The wine is balanced and delicious from beginning to end.

When enjoying Merlot, consider serving it with Gorgonzola or Brie cheese.

For more fun, pair it with burritos, curry dishes, chicken teriyaki or grilled lamb chops, a good steak and even grilled salmon.

“Wine…offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than possibly any other purely sensory thing which may be purchased.” -- Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)

Posted by Floyd at May 23, 2005 04:36 PM