Try Merlot Wine if You Like Malbec.
 
Overview of Merlot Wine
Medium to full body wine with medium tannin and acidity. Flavours of plum and chocolate.
 
How To Pronounce the grape Merlot: Mehr-LŌ
 
Why We Like Merlot Wine

It’s a wallflower that can knock your socks off when it’s good quality.
Some of the most sought after and most expensive wine in the world is Merlot (ex: Petrus)

 
Flavours and Aromas of the Merlot Variety

Fruit: plum, black cherry, huckleberry
Floral: violet,
Herbal: dill, sage
Other: clay, earthy, cedar, chocolate, vanilla, coffee, fruitcake

 
Where in the World Does the Merlot Grape Grow?
Old World Merlot Regions

Bordeaux, France
Spain
Italy (esp Tuscany)

New World Merlot Regions

USA (California, Washington)
Chile
Australia
Canada

 
Merlot Wine’s Perfect Food Pairings

Chocolate
Cheddar cheese
Burgers
Pork Tenderloin

 
Interesting Facts About the Merlot Grape:
It was thought to be widely grown in Chile, until Viña Carmen discovered it was a different grape variety, Carmenere!
In the 2004 blockbuster movie “Sideways,” the main character announces that he’s not drinking Merlot, no matter what – he hates Merlot. In the end, the one wine he has cellared and been saving for a special occasion is a very pricey Merlot-based Bordeaux, Chateau Cheval Blanc 1961.
 
Other Names for the Merlot Varietal:
Merlot Noir
 
Our Favourite Finds for Merlot Wine

Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard 2014 Merlot
Ehlers Estate Merlot

Chateau des Annereaux 2008 Lalande de Pomerol


 
Dig Deeper: Learn More About Merlot.
Like Merlot? Try A Similar Grape Variety: Nero D’Avola
 

Try a Aglianico wine if you like Nebbiolo (Barolo)
 
Overview of the Aglianico wine varietal
A complex, tannic red wine with intense colour and flavours.
 
Why we like the Aglianico varietal, grape, and wine

A wine like Aglianico with high tannins and high acidity make great food wines. Powerful flavours in the wine mean it will stand up to bold flavoured meals.
We love to pair Aglianico with cured meats and strong cheeses for a mid-day snack.

 

Aglianico Pronounciation:
al-YAWN-ick-ō

 
Flavours and aromas of Aglianico wines

Fruit: strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, plum
Herbal/Vegetal: liquorice, violets, blossom
Other: vanilla, soil, smoke, chocolate

 
Varietal Pairings – Food pairings for Aglianico

Pastas and Pizza with Sausage
Game
Lamb
Mushrooms (esp. portobello)
Savoury cheeses
Venison or beef chilli
Braised and stewed beef

 
Where are Aglianico grapes grown?
 
Old World Aglianico Regions

Southern Italy

Campania
Basilicata
Puglia



 
New World Aglianico Regions

USA
Australia
Canada (Ontario)

 
Interesting facts about Aglianico wine
If you find a wine from Taurasi (in Campania) the grape used is Aglianico. This DOCG makes some of the most powerful and age worthy wines in Italy. Quality Aglianico has the structural elements necessary to be aged for over a decade.
Other names for the Aglianico varietal include

Southern Barolo, Barolo of the South, Barolo del Sud (although not related to Nebbiolo or the Barolo region at all!)
Aglianica, Ellanico, Glianica, Uva Catellaneta
Regional Names: Taurasi, Vulture

 
Our favourite finds for Aglianico wine
Feudi San Gregorio Taurasi DOCG, Taurasi, Campania, Italy
Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi DOCG, Taurasi, Campania, Italy
Vieni Estates Aglianico Reserve, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
Caparone Winery 2016 Aglianico, Paso Robles, California, USA
 
Dig Deeper: Learn More About Old World vs New World Wines
 
Like Aglianico? Try A Similar Grape Variety: Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello di Montalcino) or Tempranillo (Rioja Gran Reserva)
 
Learn About Other Red Grape Varieties:

Malbec
Merlot
Syrah
Pinot Noir
Carmenere


Oliver, British Columbia, Canada
