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Wine and Drinks: Merlot & Steak
Merlot at its highest quality can yield a stiff, tannic, long-lived
wine. Either tannic or soft Merlots will match magnificently with
grilled steak. If it's a tannic Merlot, the char of the grill can
reduce the palate impression of tannin. If it's a rich and soft Merlot,
its velvetiness will serve as a perfect extension of the rich meat. Try
it with your guests and see if they agree with the buzz over Merlot of
years past.
STORY TOOLS 
More from Other NewsShopper’s Tips:
- Price is one tip-off; any Merlot that's under $20 probably won't fall in the fierce-and-tannic mode, though you may still get some palate burn. The cheaper the wine is, however, the likelier it is to be a softie.
- Furthermore, if it's cheap AND young -- say, a 2000 Merlot right now at $7 a bottle -- you've probably grabbed a fruit-driven Merlot that fits the "Cabernet but softer" mantra.
- Pay attention to Merlots from Friuli, located in the northeast corner of Italy. Friuli produces a vast preponderance of Merlots that are simple and soft (and cheap!).
Recommendations
California can yield some of the richest, most impressive Merlots in
the world. But in that dizzyingly diverse wine center, it's hard to
predict what you're getting. Havens, Duckhorn, Franciscan, Newton,
Matanzas Creek, Chateau Julien and Richard Longoria are some reliable
Merlot producers.
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