Grape vine
SAM WYLIE-HARRIS celebrates International Merlot Day with styles from around the globe ONE of the most popular, widely grown grapes, not only does merlot taste delicious on its own, but this juicy, fruity red is blended into some of the world’s greatest wines.
To celebrate International Merlot Day on November 7, here are some moderately priced merlots from varied regions, each with their own characteristics...
Chateau Argadens 2012, Bordeaux Superior, France (£10.95, tanners-wines.co.uk): A RICH, ripe style that’s spot on, n, this standard Bordeaux blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon andd cabernet franc is outstanding for the price. Produced for Tanners by Maison Sichel, it’s beautifully fragrant and elegant with cassis, blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, a touch of cigar box, vanilla and spice with a velvety smooth texture and a long, slightly chewy finish. Picco Attila 2014, Venezie IGP, ItalyIt (£8.99, laithwaites. co.uk):co EXCEPTIONALLY s mu smooth and fruit forward, this unusual blend of merlot and refosco, a local variety from north-east Italy, enriches the wine with flavours of plums, bitter chocolate and dark berry fruits. Marked by sweet plummy notes and a fruity freshness, it’s delicious and dangerously easy to drink.
Errazuriz Estate Series Merlot 2015, Chile (currently £8.99 from £9.99, Majestic): WITH near-perfect growing conditions, Chile produces all our favourite styles, and this producer can be counted on for solid, accessible reds. With inviting, rich aromas of red fruits and black pepper that flow onto the palate and mingle with hints of smoke, cloves, cherry and plummy black fruits, it ends with a toasty note on the finish. Vinalba Reserve Cabernet MalbecM Merlot 2014, ArgentinaA (£8 reduced from £10, until November 1, Sainsbury’s): IF YOU like your reds with oomph, this blend is impressively robust with cabernet sauvignon the dominant grape, and a dollop of malbec and merlot adding complexity and body to the blend. Concentrated and loaded with black fruits and spice, there’s a suggestion of dark chocolate and oak on the finish.
Villa Maria Merlot 2014, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (currently £7.99 from £11.99, Waitrose): FROM one of the country’s largest and most reliable producers, this merlot has lots of aromatic appeal with an expressive bouquet of black plums and berry fruits and the palate is structured, yet soft, with hints of vanilla and cedar with fine grained tannins.