Merlot Wine in Southern California

Merlot wine is one of the specialties of California. Its popularity has soared in the last decade with 50000 acres of land devoted for merlot grapes. Gift baskets containing merlot wine are a favorite among wine lovers. Merlot grapes are lush and softer than Sauvignon Cabernet and are available in fuller and rich textures. Merlot wines are high in terms of their alcoholic content and are eaten in various fruit flavors like the cherry, chocolate and plum. Merlot matures faster than Sauvignon Cabernet and is therefore hailed as better by wine lovers. For the wine collectors, however, the situation is different.

Merlot in Southern California is also a suitable ally with Sauvignon Cabernet for softening the Cabernet and thus creating a complex wine. Merlot needs to be served in slightly lower room temperatures. It is best put in the refrigerator 15 to 20 minutes before serving as it helps you go for the right temperature and make adjustments, if required. Merlot wine is aptly perfect for any kind of food like pork, pasta, poultry and red meat. Initially, the trend was to blend merlot with other wines although the scenario is changing fast as the wine is continuously being served on its own.

The California merlot is the most purchased wine variety in North America. Its consumption has increased from 2.8 million in 1994 to 21.4 million in 2006. The popularity of merlot wine is due to the fact that new consumers increasingly prefer red wine owing to health concerns as scientific reports link merlot to a healthy lifestyle. White and blush drinkers are also trying out the red type. Merlot wine is rich and soft at the same time which is something that attracts regular drinkers as well as new red wine aficionados. Its price in the restaurants is similar to that of Californian chardonnay.

Merlot in Napa

Merlot wine grown in the Napa Valley region of California is available in superior quality, thanks to the professionalism of the wineries operating out here. Napa merlot is also rich in terms of diversity. It is an ideal component of the picnic baskets that are prepared for loved ones. 1997 St. Supery Merlot is an appreciated variety whose strong fruity flavor is complemented by subtle hints of vanilla and oak overtones. Merlot in Southern California is perfect for tasting with any meal and is priced between $10 and $20. Napa merlot varies from other merlot wines in the fact that you receive variety and flavor in the Napa bottles.

2000 Beringer Napa Merlot is decently priced and provides excellent value for your money. This Merlot wine is priced at $15 to $20 a bottle and is available in various flavors like plum, spice and black cherry. The combination of intensity and complexity makes it just the right choice for expert and novice wine lovers. Southern California with its stretches of vineyards is the place to be for tourists who enjoy wine tours. In fact, merlot wine in Southern California is to Americans what burgundy was to the French.