Swill or Swell: Episode 29

Paisajes Merlot

Watch the Episode Here

​Welcome to Swill or Swell, a weekly series where I taste grocery store wines and let you know if they’re worth the buck or just meant for the drain! 

CAVEAT! As you read this, please keep in mind that wine is subjective! This means that everyone enjoys different things and something I like might not be something you like and vice versa. I’ll be as objective as I can with facts about the wine’s quality, but in the end if your opinion differs from mine...that’s perfectly fine! Wine is only worth drinking if YOU like drinking it!

LET'S INTRODUCE THE WINE

Today I'll be tasting the Paisajes de los Andes Merlot. I purchased this from Kroger QFC for $8.99. I've tried the Carménère from this producer so I thought it would be fun to test the Merlot!

PAISAJES MERLOT FUN FACTS

Let's start by talking about the Merlot grape:

• Often regarded as the underdog to Cabernet Sauvignon
• Just like Cabernet, its first home was Bordeaux, France.
  
  • It's actually the most planted varietal in France!
  • ​The grape m​akes incredibly food friendly wines.
    
• Typically lower in tannins, Merlot is often described as smooth
• However, it’s actually more of a chameleon than we’d think
  • Flavors can change based on where it’s grown and how it’s vinified​

Now let's talk about the region this wine comes from: Valle Central, Chile

• Chile is a very long and thin country that is bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean and on the east by the Andes. This makes it a perfect region for growing wine. Why?
  • Geographical Seclusion
  • Cooling ocean breeze traps flavor of grapes in overnight (discourages pests).
    
• The region experiences warm, dry sunny days.
  
  • Warm = long growing season, gives grapes time to ripen completely, develop sugars.
    
  • Dry = vines have to work hard and result in better quality grapes.
• Valle Central D.O.C. is one of the most productive and well-known wine growing regions in South America (contains 5 major sub-regions)
  

WINE TASTING NOTES

Look: Medium ruby with very pale edges
Smell: Candied cherry, roasted strawberry, leather
Taste: Medium plus tannin, slightly sour, medium plus acidity, medium body
Think:
Food Pairing - My guest, @grateboards, tested some different cheeses with this and found that she really enjoyed it with Roquefort Blue Cheese and Aged Gouda.
Occasion - Perfect paired with a charcuterie board and a group of friends, maybe game night?
Rating - I give this a swell!

Want to learn more? Check out my Instagram every Thursday at 5PM PST for a new episode of Swill or Swell! Have a wine you’d like me to taste? Write your request in the comments below or send me a message on Instagram