- Pronounced
(murr-LOW or MARE-low)
- Appearance
Dark ruby red
- Body Style
Medium-bodied
- Flavors
Black cherries, blackberries, currants, plums, mocha, cedar, vanilla, minerals, tobacco and mint
- Major Source
California; Chile; France (Bordeaux and Languedoc-Roussillon regions); Italy; New York; Virginia; and Washington state
- Food Matches
Cheddar
Ham
Lamb
Pork
Roast Beef
Steaks
Veal
Chicken
Turkey
Delicate Fish
Southwestern/Barbecue
Merlot is a very popular red wine with a softer texture than Cabernet Sauvignon. Hailing from the Bordeaux region of France, Merlot has firm tannins. There are several styles of Merlot including a Cabernet-style Merlot, which includes a high percentage (up to 25 percent) of Cabernet Sauvignon. In France, it is almost always blended with other grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and sometimes Malbec and/or Petit Verdot.
