| Merlots have soared in popularity in the last | | | | Merlot is also commonly blended with Cabernet |
| decade. Merlot is the most widely planted grape in | | | | Sauvignon, to soften the Cabernet, and create a |
| the Bordeaux wine region in France, and it is also | | | | more complex wine. |
| quite widely planted in wine regions in the United | | | | When serving Merlot, it should be slightly below |
| States, particularly in California. In California, there | | | | room temperature. Place it in the refrigerator for |
| were only 2000 acres of Merlot in 1985, over the | | | | 15-20 minutes before serving, to bring it to the |
| years, this has grown to 50,000 acres in 2003. | | | | correct serving temperature. Merlot pairs well with |
| While Merlots are quite often softer and more | | | | many foods, including red meat, pork, poultry, and |
| lush than Cabernet Sauvignon, they are still often | | | | pasta. |
| full-bodied, deep in color, and fairly high in alcohol | | | | Over the years, where Merlot used to be utilized |
| with flavors of cherry, plum and chocolate. Merlot | | | | in blending with other wines, more and more, it is |
| matures in the bottle earlier than Cabernet | | | | beginning to be appreciated on it's own. |
| Sauvignon, so Merlots are generally held in higher | | | | Learn more about wine and wine growing regions |
| esteem by wine drinkers than by wine collectors. | | | | at Wine Country Guide. |