have you tasted a Red Merlot wine? Pairing and characteristics. Prices and best brands. The red Merlot wine is a very well known wine by wine lovers, its flavor and aroma captivates all types of palates.
Merlot red wines are similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, however it is less tannic so it is a lighter and juicier wine.
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what is Merlot Red Wine?
Merlot red wine is a wine with a certain intensity of color, medium alcohol content, which ages quickly without losing its wonderful quality and is very easy to drink.
Origin and History of Merlot Red Wine
Merlot has its origin in the southwest of France, in the town of Bordeaux, which is estimated to have begun to be used during the 19th century.
Researchers assure that it is possible that it comes from the Cabernet Fran grape.
It is currently the second most planted grape in the world, thanks to the fact that it acclimates perfectly to most temperate and hot climates that exist, which is why countries like Mexico, Chile, Argentina, the United States and New Zealand have been cultivating the grape to produce interesting wines.
Characteristics of Merlot Red Wine
Merlot red wine is a wine with an intense dark color and intense aroma that make it very elegant.
- It is a wine made from Merlot grapes
- It is a full-bodied wine
- It has low acidity
- Its alcohol content is usually high because the level of sugar in its grapes is very high.
- It is an easy to drink wine, it does not need much time in barrel to show its full potential
Color, flavor and aroma of red Merlot wine
- Appearance: It has an intense ruby color with attractive violet hues
- Palate: Its aromas cover a wide range of nuances, we can find notes of cassis, currants, blackberries, red fruits, bell pepper, violet, truffles and leather
- Nose: It is pleasant, fine, elegant and velvety, with marked flavors of plum, raisins, mint and honey
Alcohol Content of Red Merlot Wine
Red Merlot wine is a fresh, elegant and light wine, ideal for sharing. Its alcohol content is 14.56%.
Types of Red Merlot Wine
Merlot red wine is a smooth wine, full of fruity and spicy aromas and flavors that make it a delight to the palate. This wine is usually drunk young, however it can be found with a short time in oak barrels to enhance its aromas and flavors.
Pairing of Merlot Red Wine
Merlot red wine is an ideal wine to accompany powerful dishes, its flavor will combine with the ingredients creating an explosion of flavor. 
- Red meats: Ideal accompaniment to roasted and grilled meat dishes, seasoned with spices
- Game Meats: Perfect combination full of harmony and flavor
- Fish: Especially with oily fish, salmon, tuna or cod it combines perfectly
- Rice: A perfect accompaniment to hearty rice dishes
- Pasta: Especially with seafood sauces, their flavor combines to create a delightful combination
- Hamburgers: A perfect accompaniment for hamburgers made with pork
- Vegetables: Sautéed as it enhances the flavors
- Cheeses: Ideal to accompany powerful and strong flavored cheeses such as blue cheese, brie, cheddar, among others
how is Merlot red wine made?
Merlot red wine is usually made from the grape variety that bears his name, its aging process is usually done in stainless steel tanks to maintain the freshness and fruity aromas and flavors.
Merlot red wine is usually drunk young, even freshly made, so it does not need bottle aging. Its maturation can improve it and make it more complex.
Characteristics of the grape used to make Merlot red wine
Merlot red wine is usually single varietal, however it can also be accompanied by other red varieties in smaller proportions that add power to its natural qualities.
Merlot grape
A variety with which soft, alcoholic wines can be produced, but with good acidity and tannin.
- Small to medium sized bunches
- Small berries with thick skin and bluish black color
- High vigor strains
- Variety with early bud break and mid-season ripening that can change with different areas and environmental temperatures
- Variety not very sensitive to wood diseases
- Presents some sensitivity to spring frosts
- Requires cool and not very hot climates as it soon loses its acidity and tannic balance in these climates
- It ripens relatively early
Temperature of Merlot Red Wine
Merlot red wine is a pleasant wine thanks to its aroma and fruity flavor, its tannins give it the right weight. It is recommended to be served at a temperature between 16°C and 18°C, which will allow it to be openly exposed, highlighting its qualities.
Price and best brands of Merlot Red Wine
The merlot is a wine that is liked by many people who love quality and good taste, its price can range from 6 to 100 euros.
Fortius Merlot
A fresh cherry red colored wine, which highlights its fruity aromas with notes of wild flowers, which gives it a powerful and persistent mouthfeel 6.89 euros .
Echappée Bel Red
An intense red color, which surprises thanks to its fruity aroma that makes it quite pleasant and fresh on the palate 13,50 € .
Jean Leon Vinya Palau Merlot 2014
A deep red wine with a high layer, in which aromas of black fruit stand out accompanied by herbal and citrus notes on a slightly toasted background that make it a wine with great acidity that gives it freshness and a lot of length 20,50 €.
Viñas del Vero Merlot
A cherry red wine, which presents a great aromatic palette with fresh balsamic notes typical of the variety such as eucalyptus, cocoa, licorice and roasted. Its palate is slender, fleshy and rich in nuances that give it a good finish 51,10 €.
Ciel Du Cheval 2013
A titanic wine with a deep red color, bright and clean, its aroma of red fruit, plum, notes of espresso coffee and wet stone, make it a wine with good structure, great concentration and good balance 89,50 € .
