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Wine Pairing
The Do's and Don'ts of Merlot
Merlot is a red wine powerhouse and has been an international sensation for centuries. But why is that? Merlot’s incredible versatility and potential for growing just about anywhere make it a great addition to any vineyard. Winemakers are able to use the grape as a robust single variety or add it to blends for a fruity punch.
The most famous of the Merlot wines comes in the form of a right bank Bordeaux-blend. Here, the grape is the leading component to some of the world’s greatest wines. In these cooler regions, Merlot has intense earthy notes with excellent structure and slightly higher acidity. When grown in warmer regions (like the Napa Valley, Australia, or Argentina), the grape variety shapes-shifts into a slightly fruitier wine with ripe jammy notes.
The Do’s
This versatility in the wine makes it a great wine to pair with several different dishes. Easier drinking styles of Merlot pair well with simpler dishes, like mushroom risotto. However, the serious wines, like Bordeaux blends, would do incredibly well with something like Maltese Bragioli.
So, depending on the seriousness of the wine, one would choose the weightiness of the dish. Other great options would be:
- Beef goulash and freshly baked bread.
- Cheeseboards, especially with a strong cheese like aged cheddar and blue cheese.
- Try the lighter styles with Roasted Chicken with ratatouille.
- Homemade rabbit stew.
The Don’ts
No matter the style of Merlot, a weighty protein is a must-have when pairing with food. Don’t try to pair the wine with light fish or salad dishes.
With the high tannin and acidity in the Merlot wines, don’t try to pair it with sweet dishes either since the wine can leave you with a bitter taste.
A wide variety of quality ingredients are available from Arkadia supermarkets in Malta and Gozo, including Arkadia FoodExpress Swatar and Arkadia Food Market Valletta.
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