What to Pair Your Merlot With

3 Recipes for Merlot

Beef hotpot or slow-roasted lamb

Beef hotpot or slow-roasted lamb

Description :

The rich flavors and medium body of Merlot complement the hearty, savory elements of these dishes.

Roasted Duck

Roasted Duck Description :

Roasted duck is a rich, flavorful dish with a gamey taste and a tender texture, often enhanced with fruit-based glazes or savory herb seasonings. The ideal wine pairing for roasted duck depends on the preparation style and accompanying flavors. For duck with a fruit glaze, a Pinot Noir or Riesling complements the sweetness and enhances the dish’s natural flavors. If the duck is prepared with a more savory approach, like with root vegetables, wines with higher tannins and acidity, such as Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon, provide a good balance to the dish’s richness.

Ingredients :

  • Duck: 1 whole duck (about 4-5 pounds)
  • Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary
  • Glaze: Optional (e.g., orange, honey, or balsamic vinegar)
  • Aromatics: 1 orange (quartered), 1 onion (quartered), and a few sprigs of thyme or rosemary

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Duck: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Rinse the duck inside and out, then pat it dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, both inside and out. Stuff the cavity with quartered orange, onion, and fresh herbs for added flavor.
  2. Score and Roast: Using a sharp knife, score the skin of the duck in a crisscross pattern without cutting into the meat. This helps render the fat and crisp the skin. Place the duck on a roasting rack in a roasting pan and roast for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Baste occasionally with the rendered fat.
  3. Apply Glaze (Optional): If using a glaze, brush it on during the last 30 minutes of roasting. Continue roasting until the glaze is caramelized and the skin is crispy.
  4. Rest and Serve: Let the duck rest for 10-15 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute. Serve with your choice of sides, such as roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad.
  5. Wine Pairing: Pair roasted duck with a Pinot Noir or Riesling to complement its rich, savory flavors, especially if a fruit glaze is used. For a more robust flavor profile, try a Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon, which offers a good balance of acidity and tannins to cut through the richness of the duck

Blue cheese

Blue cheese

Description :

The creamy, salty profile of blue cheese is balanced by Merlot’s fruitiness and smooth texture.

More on Merlot

Merlot

Merlot is a popular red wine grape variety known for its soft, velvety texture and approachable flavor profile. It offers a fruit-forward experience, often with a smooth, well-rounded body, making it a versatile wine that appeals to a wide range of palates. The grape thrives in a variety of climates, which contributes to its diverse expressions depending on the region.

Appearance:

  • Color: Deep ruby to garnet red.
  • Opacity: Medium to deep; Merlot typically exhibits a bright, clear appearance, indicating its rich fruit content and moderate tannin structure.

Aroma:

  • Primary Aromas: Blackberry, plum, and cherry.
  • Secondary Aromas: Herbal notes such as dried thyme or bay leaf, and subtle earthiness.
  • Tertiary Aromas: With aging, Merlot develops complex aromas of chocolate, clove, vanilla, cedar, and sometimes tobacco.

Flavor Profile:

  • Fruit Flavors: Dominated by dark fruits like black cherry, plum, and blackberry.
  • Other Flavors: Notes of cocoa, chocolate, and sometimes hints of earthy graphite or mineral qualities. Aging in oak barrels introduces additional flavors such as vanilla, clove, and a subtle hint of smoke or cedar.
  • Oak Influence: Many Merlots are aged in oak, which adds depth and complexity to the wine’s flavor profile, enhancing its natural fruitiness with layers of spice and wood.

Structure:

  • Body: Medium to full-bodied.
  • Tannins: Medium to high; Merlot’s tannins are generally softer and more approachable than those in Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Acidity: Medium to high, providing a good balance to the wine’s rich fruit flavors.
  • Alcohol: Ranges from 13% to 15%

Popular Locations for Merlot

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