So, I was scrolling through my blog feed the other day, and a question popped up that got me thinking: “What goes well with Merlot?” I mean, I love a good glass of Merlot, but I’ve never really put much thought into what to pair it with. That’s when I decided to dive in and find out for myself.
First things first, I needed to get my hands on a bottle of Merlot. I swung by the local wine shop and picked up a bottle that looked decent. I went back to my home and took out the bottle from my bag. The label described it as having notes of plum and cherry. Then I realized I needed some food to go with it. I started rummaging through my fridge and pantry to see what I could whip up.
I remembered reading somewhere that Merlot pairs well with meats. I thought, “Why not?” I had some beef in the fridge, so I decided to make a simple steak. I seasoned it with salt, pepper, and a bit of garlic powder, then seared it in a hot pan. While the steak was cooking, I started thinking about side dishes.
I also recalled that Merlot can go with roasted veggies. I had some carrots, and potatoes. I chopped them up, tossed them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and threw them in the oven to roast.
As everything was cooking, I set the table and poured myself a glass of Merlot. I swirled it around in the glass, took a sniff, and then took a sip. It was good – fruity and smooth, just as I like it. Then, I remembered a tip about serving Merlot slightly below room temperature to bring out the flavors. I made a mental note to chill the bottle a bit next time.
Once the steak and veggies were ready, I plated everything up and sat down to enjoy my meal. I took a bite of the steak, then a sip of the Merlot. The combination was amazing. The richness of the steak was balanced perfectly by the fruitiness of the wine. I also tried the roasted veggies with the Merlot, and that was pretty good too. The savory flavors of the veggies complemented the wine nicely.
After dinner, I did a little more research and found out that Merlot can also go with some pasta dishes, especially those with rich, meaty sauces. I made a mental note to try that next time. I also learned that a large, oversized wine glass is best for Merlot because it helps aerate the wine and highlight its aromas. I used a regular wine glass this time, but I’ll definitely get a bigger one for my next Merlot night.
My Findings
- Meats: Beef, pork, and lamb are great with Merlot.
- Veggies: Roasted vegetables, especially root vegetables, pair well.
- Temperature: Serve Merlot slightly below room temperature (60-68°F or 15-20°C).
- Glassware: Use a large, oversized wine glass to enhance the wine’s aromas.
- Other Pairings: Merlot can also go with some seafood, chicken, turkey, and even certain pasta dishes with rich sauces.
All in all, it was a fun experiment. I discovered some great food pairings for Merlot and learned a bit more about enjoying this wine. I’m already looking forward to my next Merlot adventure. Maybe I’ll try it with a nice duck dish or some pepperoni pizza. Who knows? The possibilities are endless!
