Popular, attractive, easy to drink and with a mild, soft taste, Merlot seems to be now well-established in Cyprus as a food friendly wine, able to accompany many different dishes. Oenou Yi – Ktima Vassiliades’ aged Shiraz-Merlot 2015 strikes a fine balance, by blending these two varieties together. The result is a balanced wine with the right structure and an intense fruit. Merlot’s ability to act as a balancer, combined with short-term contact with French oak, gives a wine with a velvety texture and soft tannins, while the full Shiraz complements the rich body.
Characteristics
Merlot, the French variety from Bordeaux, gives wines with very soft and fruity characteristics of plum or raspberry. In the Mediterranean, Merlot is expressed with aromas of ripe black fruit, along with sweet balsamic notes, as well as a soft, easy-to-drink flavour. If Merlot has matured in oak barrels, we can distinguish aromas of caramel, chocolate, coffee, and vanilla. This variety’s wine is of high alcohol content, balanced acidity, with a characteristic aroma, soft and susceptible to aging. Its carnal presence guarantees complete enjoyment, charming every international variety lover. France is the place where about 2/3 of the world’s Merlot production is cultivated, covering an area of about 120,000 hectares. Merlot is also cultivated in Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Switzerland, Romania, California, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Canada, Chile, South Africa, Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro, Slovenia, as well as in other USA states such as Washington and Long Island. Merlot is distinguished by large, round blue-red grapes. It grows best in cold soils with relatively high iron content. Small batch production of vines substantially contributes to improving the quality of wines, as well as the age of the vine, which adds character.
Food pairing
The best food combinations for Merlot are steak, beef, prime rib (in the oven or grill), lamb, pork, chicken, duck, salted sundried ingredients with medium intensity sauce and cold cuts. Oenou Yi – Ktima Vassiliades strongly suggests that you combine your next meet meal with a glass of Shiraz-Merlot 2015! Velvet with soft, pleasant tannins and long duration, Shiraz-Merlot 2015 is a necessary addition to your table!
