Merlot (Australia)

First planted in Australia in the 1960s, Merlot has had a relatively short - but definitely grand - time on the Australian wine scene. The grape’s ability to produce very different styles of wine, from smooth and easy-drinking, to more complex and deep, has made it the darling of many wine lovers. These wines have generous flavors of berries, plums and dark cherries, and with a bit of aging can develop delicious savory notes. Not only is this grape amazing on its own, it’s also famed for being a super blending partner with other grapes. Merlot is planted all over Australia, but especially the cooler climate regions in South Australia such as Coonawarra, Clare Valley, and the McLaren Vale, are known for their high quality Merlot wines. Its smooth, easy drinking character and medium to bold flavor profile make Australian Merlot a natural pairing with a variety of foods. Try it with roasted vegetables and duck, a cheese platter with some hard, salty cheeses like parmesan and pecorino, or maybe a pie with roasted mushrooms and fennel.