Merlot: Heckuva nice wine
As a stand-alone grape, Merlot is an undeniable fan favorite, but lately seems to get a sneer from men in cravats.
Is Merlot considered tacky? Is buying a Merlot aiming to low? Jill clues us in.
Goes great with: the general public, blending with more austere grapes.
Sometimes I’ll run into my old Junior Prom date. The nicest guy in the world, seriously – friendly, easy to talk to, plenty of money, a little pale and fleshy, always in a cashmere v-neck sweater. He wasn’t the quarterback, and he wasn’t the Art Class antihero, but he was popular. For about six paces after our goodbye wave, I’ll wonder: what would my life be like if I’d stuck with him?
If that sweater was purple, I might call him Merlot. Merlot’s soft fruit gives it a medium body of plum and chocolate flavors, very easy to drink as a varietal – it might just win Class President.
Its ability when blending, however, is what makes it the most planted grape in Bordeaux (take that, wine snobs). Maturing early, Merlot’s thin skin means less tannins, more rich fruit; perfect to round-out tougher partners like Cabernet. It’s also easier to grow.
You know what they say about less tannins: doesn’t make you want to pucker-up. Life with Merlot would indeed have been effortless, but I didn’t really feel it in my gut, and there’s so many interesting grapes out there. Hey – for what it’s worth, his wife always seems to have the same contented smile on her face.