Getting To Grips With Merlot

<h1>Getting To Grips With Merlot</h1>Author: <a title="Louise Truswell" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/louise-truswell/78097.htm">Louise Truswell</a> Merlot is a great player in the wine world, having two very different roles. Not only does it make a great blending partner but it is also a pretty good grape when used on its own, producing some deliciously subtle and easy drinking red wines. Merlot made its name as one of the three grapes used to make Bordeaux, along with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The concentration of these grapes vary according to the commune where it is grown and it is those found along the right bank of the Gironde in Saint Emilion and Pomerol, for example, where Merlot is the dominant grape. Wines from this part of Bordeaux are generally thought to be some of the best in the world, and the quality and inevitably the taste will be second to none. However, this comes at a price and if that’s too much for your pocket, you might want to look elsewhere. Some of the New World countries, including regions of Chile and South Australia, are currently producing some great tasting Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blends, which are well worth a taste. However, Merlot isn’t just used in blends. The grape produces some very tasty wines when used on its own. Merlot can be quite a tough grape to grow as it is quite fragile, but when grown well, it produces a wine with delicious cherry and plum tones. The addition of oak gives a sometimes smokey, even choclately, edge. The New World, in particular, is a good place to start when looking for a decent tasting bottle of Merlot, although France, Italy and Spain are all also working well with this grape. The delicate nature of a Merlot grape, along with its soft skin, means that it generally makes a fairly light to medium bodied wine compared to its red counterparts. However, it does vary according to where the grape has been grown and the conditions in which it has been grown. Lighter versions will be soft and easy to drink, whereas heavier versions have a very a fairly similar tasting profile to its blending buddy Cabernet Sauvignon just with less body and tannin Because Merlot produces a variety of styles of wine, it suits a variety of drinking situations. A lighter version, will taste great on its own or with lighter foods such as tomato-based dishes or pizza, while heavier versions and Merlot blends will taste much better with red meats and richer dishes. If you are looking for the perfect drink to drink over lunch on a summer’s day, a light Merlot will always work well as it won’t be too overpowering from the afternoon ahead.About the Author: Louise Truswell works in and writes about the wine industry. She specializes in red wine including <a href="http://www.virginwines.com/wine-zone/merlot">Merlot wine</a>. To find out more and to choose from a selection of bottles of Merlot, visit <a href="http://www.virginwines.com/wine-zone/merlot">virginwines.com/wine-zone/merlot</a>Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/wines-and-spirits-articles/getting-to-grips-with-merlot-803605.html" title="Getting To Grips With Merlot">Getting To Grips With Merlot</a>

Merlot is a great player in the wine world, having two very different roles. Not only does it make a great blending partner but it is also a pretty good grape when used on its own, producing some deliciously subtle and easy drinking red wines.

Merlot made its name as one of the three grapes used to make Bordeaux, along with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The concentration of these grapes vary according to the commune where it is grown and it is those found along the right bank of the Gironde in Saint Emilion and Pomerol, for example, where Merlot is the dominant grape. Wines from this part of Bordeaux are generally thought to be some of the best in the world, and the quality and inevitably the taste will be second to none. However, this comes at a price and if that’s too much for your pocket, you might want to look elsewhere. Some of the New World countries, including regions of Chile and South Australia, are currently producing some great tasting Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blends, which are well worth a taste.

However, Merlot isn’t just used in blends. The grape produces some very tasty wines when used on its own. Merlot can be quite a tough grape to grow as it is quite fragile, but when grown well, it produces a wine with delicious cherry and plum tones. The addition of oak gives a sometimes smokey, even choclately, edge. The New World, in particular, is a good place to start when looking for a decent tasting bottle of Merlot, although France, Italy and Spain are all also working well with this grape.

The delicate nature of a Merlot grape, along with its soft skin, means that it generally makes a fairly light to medium bodied wine compared to its red counterparts. However, it does vary according to where the grape has been grown and the conditions in which it has been grown. Lighter versions will be soft and easy to drink, whereas heavier versions have a very a fairly similar tasting profile to its blending buddy Cabernet Sauvignon just with less body and tannin

Because Merlot produces a variety of styles of wine, it suits a variety of drinking situations. A lighter version, will taste great on its own or with lighter foods such as tomato-based dishes or pizza, while heavier versions and Merlot blends will taste much better with red meats and richer dishes. If you are looking for the perfect drink to drink over lunch on a summer’s day, a light Merlot will always work well as it won’t be too overpowering from the afternoon ahead.

Louise Truswell works in and writes about the wine industry. She specializes in red wine including Merlot wine. To find out more and to choose from a selection of bottles of Merlot, visit virginwines.com/wine-zone/merlot

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wines-and-spirits-articles/getting-to-grips-with-merlot-803605.html

Article Tags: virgin wines, merlot merlot wine, merlot wines, merlot red, merlot red wine. buy merlot. case of merlot

Related Articles
Related Q&A

Latest Wines and Spirits Articles
More from Louise Truswell

Matching Food and Wines

By: Malcolm Tucker | 30/11/2009
This is an article on how best to match food and wine UK. Its also got information on planning a dinnner party

A good wine cellar to protect your expensive wine

By: Billy Hann | 30/11/2009
If you want to keep your wine that expensive and stay as it taste you must invest for a wine cellar to protect your wine

6 Tips For the Best Wine Temperature

By: Al Hardy | 29/11/2009
You have invested your hard earned money in a beverage you enjoy to drink and serve to your guests so you don't want to spoil the taste by serving or storing it at the wrong wine temperature.

Wine Storage Racks - How To Choose The Best Wine Bottle Storage Racks

By: Bob Cummins | 28/11/2009
How to choose a wine storage rack for your home.

Home Wine Storage - 5 Tips For Storing Wine at Home

By: Bob Cummins | 28/11/2009
Information about wine storage and wine storage furniture and solutions.

Making Wine That's Truly Special

By: Simon Dee Thomas | 27/11/2009
I presume that most of you will think of grapes when you think of wine. After all, it is the most widely used fruit in making wine. In fact, from grapes come the three most popular kinds of wine --- Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan. But are you aware that aside from these three kinds, there are still numerous types out there that you can readily have for your own use? And I’m not just talking about the various kinds of grape wines but there are other sources as well … not just grapes.

How to Make Grape Wine - Carignan

By: Simon Thomas | 26/11/2009
If you are to ask about how to make grape wine, let us discuss first this particular kind that is one of the most famous among all kinds of grape wines --- Carignan. Carignan is the most widely-planted grape that is used in making red wine in the region of France. In the 1960’s, when Algeria gained its independence, it became an affordable source of ripe grapes from where France takes its opportunity and gets its huge supply.

Why Cheap Wines Glasses Are the Best

By: Markus Sanarko | 26/11/2009
Purchasing cheap wines glasses is an idea that attracts a great number of people that would like to enjoy a luxury item like this that will not end up costing them a lot of money. One of the biggest reasons that people like to purchase cheap wine glasses for use in their home is that they will reduce a lot of stress.

Sauvignon Blanc – Getting To Know This Zingy Little Grape

By: Louise Truswell | 22/08/2009 | Wines & Spirits
The spiritual home of Sauvignon Blanc is The Loire in France, however since the 1980’s New Zealand has been doing big things with this grape. If you like your white wines refreshing, fruity and a little zingy, then Sauvignon Blanc is for you. It also makes a great food wine.

Malbec – All You Need To Know

By: Louise Truswell | 22/08/2009 | Wines & Spirits
Malbec makes big, meaty red wines, which are full of lots of dark, spicy damson and bramble fruits. Perhaps slightly less well known than its Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon cousins, but by no means lacking in taste, Malbec displays clear characteristics of each. Here we get to know it a little more.

Getting To Know Pinot Noir

By: Louise Truswell | 22/08/2009 | Recipes
Pinot Noir is a fiddly little grape to grow but when it’s at it best it produces some of the most esteemed and expensive wines in the world. Read on learn more about this exciting little grape.

Everything You Need To Know About Riesling

By: Louise Truswell | 22/08/2009 | Cooking Tips
Riesling is an aromatic little white grape, which is full of flavour, sugar and acid. It really takes on the conditions of its surroundings meaning that the wines reflect the environment in which they are grown, be it the soil type, the climate or how the grapes are treated. Riesling wines come in a variety of styles from very dry through to lusciously sweet.

Understanding French Wine Regions

By: Louise Truswell | 05/06/2009 | Wines & Spirits
Understanding French wine can be daunting, especially when you start to delve deeper into the mix of regions, grape varieties, complex laws and labels that make up the country’s wine industry. To help you on your way, we’ve put together a short guide to French wine so you can get an idea for the types of wine that you can expect from each region.

Italian Wine Regions

By: Louise Truswell | 05/06/2009 | Wines & Spirits
Italy is said to be the second largest wine producer in the world and boasts a myriad of winemaking regions, each producing a diverse array of wines. With reports of 900,000 registered vineyards (enough for one vineyard for every seven people) and more native grapes than any other wine country.

New Zealand Wine – Getting To Know The Regions From Where It Is Made

By: Louise Truswell | 04/06/2009 | Wines & Spirits
New Zealand is somewhat of a newcomer to the world of wine, especially when you compare it to the likes of France and Spain. But that’s not to say that New Zealand wine can’t stand up to its old world rivals. The country exports a vast amount of its wine production, makes arguably the best Sauvignon Blanc on the planet and its Pinot Noir is beginning to create a stir. But with over 10 New Zealand wine making regions to choose from and each producing some very diverse styles of wine.

Is There More To Spanish Wines Than Just Rioja?

By: Louise Truswell | 04/06/2009 | Wines & Spirits
Any Spanish wine tour wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Rioja. It has been the epitome of Spanish wine for generations after all. However, Rioja is not the only wine coming out of this country. Here we take a look at how other Spanish wine regions stand up to their famous rival.