Why you should be drinking Merlot again!

Merlot was the go-to red. It was simple, inexpensive and it paired with almost anything, from a steak to pork loin to pizza. It was easy; you didn’t have to think about it. Everyone ordered it and it introduced many a newbie wine drinker into the world of reds. It was also bolstered by new scientific findings that red wines were good for you. Everyone was drinking Merlot. It was the wine for the masses. Salute! But just like anything that is hot and in fashion, it can quickly fall out of favor, not unlike fondue and cargo shorts. What was once the most popular red rapidly became ignored, overlooked and sometimes even vilified. But why did this varietal fall so speedily out of favor? What was it that sent its reputation into a tailspin? Some speculate that the 2004 film “Sideways” did for Merlot what the documentary “Blackfish” did to SeaWorld. When the lead character yells out “If anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving!” – apparently, film fans and wine drinkers took it to heart. Shortly thereafter Merlot sales plummeted and Pinot Noir, on the other hand, started to rise. Merlot’s fifteen minutes of fame came to a swift end. Was it truly the film’s influence or was it just time for the Merlot bubble to burst? It was probably a bit of both.

Today many still dismiss Merlot and don’t even know why. For some, asking for a Merlot at a restaurant is seen as uninformed, uncultured, and uncouth. They would rather gravitate to a Pinot or a Syrah because it’s hip. But drinking due to ‘hipness’ limits your opportunity to taste some incredible wines, including some truly amazing Merlots.

Merlot grapes originally hail from France and like most French wines, they are made to pair exceptionally well with food. Unlike some Cabernet Sauvignon, there is no need to age and they are ready to elevate almost any meal. Savory dishes are particularly good to pair with Merlot. Roasts, chicken, and tomato based Italian food harmonize well to this grape. It’s softer tannins and sweet fruit also makes it work well with spicy cuisine. Don’t be afraid to open up a bottle to complement your blackened chicken tacos or even Asian-inspired five-spice grilled pork. Even fish goes well with this versatile red. Merlot’s excellence lies in its ability to pair with an extraordinarily wide range of cuisine or enjoyed on its very own.

When its popularity waned over the last decade many Merlot wineries stopped growing the grape and the ones that were left still producing it, crafted a great product. They held on over the years regardless of fads or fickle trends- hunkering down and continuing to make outstanding wines. Great wines will always survive the ups and downs of capricious crowds. It is now time to give this great wine a second chance. Put aside your irrational biases and open a bottle of Merlot. Your palate will thank you for it and unlike fondue and cargo shorts it actually deserves to be given another try.