Merlot - The Beginner's Wine

Being a beginner in the world of wine, I recently took a quiz online called 'What Type of Wine are You?' at Quizilla.com. I was so amused by my answer that it inspired me to write about what being a beginner in the wine world is like. There are so many labels, so many varieties, so many price ranges, and so many years. How do you choose the best wine for you? This question is not answered easily...

When I first started to drink wine a few years ago, I tasted a little here and a little there, but I had quickly assumed that all wines were created equal. They were all dry, they were all bitter, and they were all out of my league. But, with time, I tasted a little more, asked questions, and read many labels. I even rented a DVD called John Cleese's Wine for the Confused. After learning the basics, what to expect different varieties to taste like, how different wines pair up with meals, and how the grapes are grown, I started to feel a little more confidant in buying wine, and ordering it from a restaurant menu. But there has always been a wine that tried and true, can be trusted in most any setting. And that of course would be Merlot.

According to my quiz results at Quizilla.com, Merlot is compared to a person as being "friendly and approachable". I find this to be true both about myself, and about Merlot. Merlot is typically medium red in color, and is usually light and fruity. It's a very smooth wine, and can go just as well with steak and potatoes as it does with a light Greek salad. I also like to think a glass of Merlot goes well with a slice of cheese cake after a long day or as a romantic desert for two. There are so many appropriate ways to mix and mingle with Merlot, that it truly can be considered 'The Beginners Wine'.