Merlot: what it tastes like and which to buy

Merlot is a soft, medium to full-bodied red wine with flavors of plum, black cherry and a little chocolate, and tannins that are gentler than most other big reds. That makes it an easy red to pour with dinner. You can browse the full merlot selection at CBC Liquors on Littleton Rd in Westford.

What does merlot taste like?

Merlot is known for being smooth. The usual flavors are plum, black cherry and red berry, often with notes of cocoa, vanilla or a little herb, depending on where the grapes grew and how the wine was aged. The skins are thinner than cabernet's, so the wine tends to have softer tannins, which is the drying grip you feel on your gums after a sip.

That softness is why merlot is often the red people reach for when they want something approachable. You do not need a steak in front of you for it to make sense, and it does not demand a long breathe in the glass before it opens up.

Style varies. Cooler climates tend to give you more red fruit and a lighter feel. Warmer places push toward darker, riper fruit and a fuller body. Oak adds the vanilla, toast and spice notes some bottles are known for.

How is merlot different from cabernet sauvignon?

The two grapes are close relatives and are often blended together, especially in the Bordeaux tradition. On their own, merlot is usually rounder and fruitier, with lower tannin. Cabernet sauvignon is typically firmer, more structured and darker in flavor, with notes of blackcurrant and cedar.

If you find cabernet a little too tight or grippy, merlot is the natural step over. If you like cabernet's weight and want a gentler version, a bigger Napa-style merlot sits between the two.

Neither is better. They suit different meals and different moods, and plenty of people keep a bottle of each at home.

Which merlots can you pick up at CBC Liquors?

The merlot shelf at CBC Liquors covers a range of styles, from easy weeknight bottles to fuller Napa bottlings. A few of the names you can look for:

Josh Cellars Merlot and Bogle Merlot are both familiar names for an everyday red that pours smoothly with dinner. FREI BROTHERS Merlot is another producer to look at if you want a polished, fruit-forward bottle.

For a richer style, look at Duckhorn Napa Merlot and Markham NAPA MERLOT. Napa merlots tend to be fuller and more structured than lighter styles, which makes them a good fit for a Sunday roast or a dinner where the wine is meant to be the centerpiece.

MENAGE TROIS Lavish Merlot is there if you want a softer, rounder style. Stock changes, so check the category page for what is on the shelf today.

What food goes well with merlot?

Merlot's soft tannins make it flexible at the table. It works with roast chicken, pork, burgers, meatloaf and pasta with a tomato or meat sauce. It also handles mushrooms, roasted vegetables and hard cheeses without overwhelming them.

Lean beef cuts such as sirloin or a good burger suit lighter merlots. For a ribeye or a braise, step up to a fuller bottle, since richer food needs a wine with more weight behind it.

Be careful with very spicy food and with delicate fish. Heat in a dish can make an oaky red taste harsher, and light seafood gets lost next to a wine this fruity.

How should you serve and store merlot?

Serve merlot a little cooler than room temperature. Somewhere around the high 50s to low 60s degrees Fahrenheit is a good target. A bottle that has been sitting in a warm kitchen tastes flabby and boozy, so twenty minutes in the fridge before opening helps a lot.

A large-bowled red wine glass gives the aromas room. You do not need to decant most merlots, though a fuller Napa bottle can benefit from a short rest in the glass.

Store unopened bottles on their side somewhere cool, dark and steady. Once opened, put the cork or stopper back in and keep the bottle in a cool spot. It is best finished within a few days, since the fruit fades as the wine takes on air.

What if you want something close to merlot?

If you like merlot's easy style, a few other reds are worth a try. A red blend often gives the same plush fruit with a bit more variety in the glass. Pinot noir is lighter and more delicate, with red cherry and earthy notes, and is a good option if merlot is already on the fuller side for you.

If you want more power, malbec brings dark fruit and a velvety feel, and syrah adds pepper and darker, savory flavors. All of these sit under red wine if you want to browse the whole group.

For a wider look at how styles compare, the wine styles collection groups bottles by type.

How do you get merlot from CBC Liquors in Westford?

You can walk in at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford. The store is open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pickup runs the same hours.

CBC Liquors also offers delivery and shipping. Delivery hours are Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. The delivery areas page shows the towns covered, including Chelmsford, Acton and Lowell.

If you are not sure which bottle suits your dinner, the shop's guide on wine choices in Westford is a good place to start. The store is rated 4.7 out of 5 from 339 Google reviews.