Back in the early part of the third millennium, before we were inundated with the daily onslaught of personalized recommendations based on an algorithm, a movie called Sideways rocked modern culture with the assertion that Merlot was awful and Pinot Noir was the red wine you needed to profess your love to.
This went viral … and people stopped drinking Merlot.
The Sideways Effect is a real thing that influenced demand on Merlot – and wine companies stopped producing Merlot because people didn’t drink it.
Decades later, Merlot is recovering from the Sideways assault on this noble grape.
But here is the good news for you: Merlot is cheaper as a result. So you can find really fine Merlots on a wine list for incredibly affordable prices for the quality.
Merlot is a smooth, easy-drinking red wine that pairs well with food. Wine Folly notes, “Merlot wine matches with a wide variety of foods because of its position in the middle of the red wine spectrum.”
Emmolo Merlot + Joe’s Bar & Grille Steak Au Poivre or the Angus Beef Short Rib is a match even Miles would love.
Merlot Wine + Food Pairings
Savory, rustic flavors pair well with smooth Merlots – here are some recipes to try for a wine night in:
Stanley Tuccis 6-Ingredient Pasta Casserole Is So Good He Eats It for Breakfast
Savory, rustic flavors pair well with smooth Merlots – here are some recipes to try for a wine night in:
Here are a few excellent bottles of Merlot you can pick at Total Wine.
Best Merlot Wine to Try
Don't sleep on Merlot. Food-friendly and affordable are two reasons to keep Merlot stocked in your wine rack.
Emmolo Merlot
Love the calligraphy on the bottle's label, and love the Merlot inside the bottle!
Duckhorn Merlot Napa, 2019
You just can’t much better than the Duckhorn Merlot when you’re in the mood for a smooth, easy-drinking red wine 🍷
Pair with a cozy fall stew, the new Marcus Mumford album, and your favorite person đź’•
Bonus: Check out our visit to Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa
Decoy By Duckhorn Merlot
An affordable Merlot option from the presitigious Duckhorn Vineyards
Cheers, y’all! Enjoy your next wine night in with a glass of Merlot 🍷
More wine recs: Target Red Wines under $20, Target White Wines under $20
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