| Merlot is a thin-skinned red grape... | | | | is allowed to get too warm. Chilling for just a brief |
| ...that originated in Italy in the early 19th century. | | | | time will help to keep this wine at it's best. |
| California has dedicated well over 50,000 acres to | | | | Another red wine that is rising in popularity |
| growing the Merlot grape varietal. For many | | | | recently is the Pinot Noir. Traditionally this varietal |
| years, Merlots were primarily used as a blending | | | | is difficult to grow consistently as it is delicate and |
| wine but the proper vintage can be enjoyable on | | | | mutates easily. This can result in undesirable |
| it's own. | | | | qualities in the wine produced from these grapes. |
| Some of the highest quality Merlot grapes are | | | | This difficulty contributes to the somewhat higher |
| grown in California, mainly in the Sonoma and | | | | prices of fine vintages of Pinot Noir but the quality |
| Napa Valley wine regions. The excellent soil | | | | is well worth spending a bit more. |
| conditions in those areas help to produce Merlots | | | | Pinot Noir wines are lighter in color than many |
| that are delicious stand alone wines. The variety in | | | | other red wines and are one of the most |
| soils can produce Merlots that range from a | | | | delicately flavored reds. An aromatic wine, you will |
| smooth, velvety wine to wines that are more | | | | often find wines with notes of cherries, berries, |
| similar in composition to Cabernet Sauvignon. | | | | spices and even violets. Due to it's delicate flavor, |
| Merlots are low in tannin which creates a smooth, | | | | you will want to pair Pinot Noir with less spicy |
| easy-to-drink wine that has a low acidity level. | | | | foods so that the flavor of the wine will not be |
| This is due partially to the thin skin of the grape | | | | covered. |
| as well as to it's earlier ripening stage. It lends | | | | Another red wine produced in California that |
| itself to a huge variety of flavors such as black | | | | makes a lovely wine gift is the Cabernet |
| cherry, plum and current as well as tangier notes | | | | Sauvignon. Because the demand is so high, some |
| like bay leaf and bell peppers. | | | | vintages can be a little on the expensive side but |
| Merlot tends to be less intense than other red | | | | if you search you should find a reasonable |
| wines and so is easier to pair with different food | | | | California vintage. This red wine ages very well, |
| combinations. It is worth noting that Merlot should | | | | developing a rich complexity and wide depth of |
| be served slightly colder than other red wines. | | | | flavors. Although it may cost a bit more, this wine |
| Room temperatures bring out the best in other | | | | will make a very impressive gift. |
| reds but Merlots can develop unpleasant notes if it | | | | |