Pairing McLaren Vale Merlot with Suggested Foods

McLaren Vale, a renowned wine region south of Adelaide in South Australia, has long been a terroir known to produce powerful and expressive red wines. While Shiraz often dominates the conversation, the region's Mediterranean climate and diverse soil provide an exceptional home for Merlot, crafting a style that is both fruit-forward and approachable. 

Far from the herbaceous, green-tasting Merlots of the past, modern McLaren Vale Merlot showcases a rich, soft, and plush character, with ripe fruit, silky tannins, and a medium-bodied structure that makes it an incredibly versatile and food-friendly wine. It offers a gentle elegance that makes it a perfect gateway red for those new to the variety and a rewarding choice for seasoned enthusiasts.

Key Features of McLaren Vale Merlot

1. Mediterranean Climate: The region's Mediterranean climate, with its warm, dry summers and cool winters, is moderated by the cooling sea breezes from the Gulf of St Vincent. This maritime influence is vital for Merlot, as it helps the grapes ripen fully, developing a plush fruit character and soft, supple tannins.

2. Plush Flavour Profile: McLaren Vale Merlot is celebrated for its generous fruit profile, with notes of plum, red cherry, and raspberry. It often carries secondary notes of dark chocolate, spice, and subtle herbal undertones.

3. Winemaking Techniques: Winemakers use techniques such as open fermentation, foot treading, and basket pressing to allow the unique personality of the vineyard to flourish. The reds are often aged in barrels to complete fermentation and can be aged on lees to slow aging and keep the wine fresh, while also reducing oak influence.

4. Structural Characteristics: Merlot is known for its soft, easy-drinking tannins and super-soft finish. It is a medium- to full-bodied wine with a balanced acidity, making it approachable at a younger age.

5. Versatility and Food-Friendliness: With its gentle tannins and balanced characteristics, Merlot is a highly versatile wine that can pair well with a wide variety of dishes. It is not so durable that it needs something ultra-rich, but it is not so delicate that it can't handle some strong flavours.

6. Aging Potential: While many McLaren Vale Merlots are designed for early consumption, well-structured examples from top producers can age gracefully. As the wine matures, its fresh fruit notes evolve into more complex savoury, earthy, and leathery characteristics.

Flavour Profile and Vintages

The flavour profile of a McLaren Vale Merlot is a delightful expression of its terroir, a testament to the region’s ability to produce a sophisticated and generous red wine. On the nose, it often presents with aromas of ripe plums, red cherries, and raspberries.

On the palate, the wine is typically medium-to-full-bodied, with soft, easy-drinking tannins and a balanced acidity. It often carries secondary notes of dark chocolate and exotic spices, with a fresh and lively finish. The fruit flavours are often complemented by subtle hints of herbs, earth, and purple floral top notes.

The Role of Vintage in Merlot, as with any wine, is crucial. A good vintage is a season that allows for a long, even ripening period, which is essential for developing the grape's full fruit character and soft tannins. Recent years in McLaren Vale, such as 2022, are already highly regarded for producing reds with intense, rich, and balanced flavours and colours.

The 2021 vintage was also considered remarkable, combining good yields with high quality, and producing wines of beautiful balance, fragrance, and varietal typicity. A warm and dry spring in 2016 promoted growth, while a mild and calm February and March in 2010 led to a stress-free ripening period.

Suggested Food Pairings in Australia and Recipes

The food-friendly nature of McLaren Vale Merlot makes it a chameleon at the dinner table, capable of complementing a vast array of Australian cuisines. The key to successful pairing is to match the wine’s medium body and soft tannins with dishes that have a similar weight and richness. Merlot is versatile and can pair well with a variety of dishes, from lighter to heartier foods.

1. Roasted Meats

The medium body and soft tannins of Merlot make it a perfect match for roasted meats. The wine’s fruit and spice notes will beautifully complement the savoury flavours of the meat, and its soft tannins will be smoothed out by the protein and fat.

• Suggested Pairing: Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, beef roast, grilled burgers, or roasted pork loin.

• Recipe Idea: Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Rosemary

• Ingredients: 1.5kg lamb shoulder, 4 cloves garlic (sliced), 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

• Method: Preheat oven to 160°C. Make small incisions all over the lamb shoulder. Insert a slice of garlic and a few leaves of rosemary into each incision. Rub the lamb with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Place in a roasting tray and roast for 4-5 hours, or until the meat is falling off the bone. Serve with roasted root vegetables. The wine’s fruit and herbal notes will beautifully complement the rosemary and the rich flavour of the lamb.

2. Italian-Inspired Cuisine

Merlot's balanced acidity and supple qualities make it a fantastic partner for Italian cuisine, particularly dishes with a tomato-based sauce.

• Suggested Pairing: Spaghetti Bolognese, beef lasagna, or a pepperoni pizza.

• Recipe Idea: Classic Bolognese Sauce

• Ingredients: 500g beef mince, 1 onion (finely chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 carrot (finely diced), 1 celery stalk (finely diced), 400g can of crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup red wine (Merlot is a great choice), 1 tbsp tomato paste, fresh basil, salt, and pepper.

• Method: Brown the beef mince in a large pot. Add the onion, carrot, and celery and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the red wine and cook until it has reduced. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or longer for a richer flavour. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with spaghetti and a garnish of fresh basil.

3. Hearty Vegetarian Dishes

Merlot’s depth and “umami” profile make it a surprisingly exceptional accompaniment to vegetarian dishes, especially those featuring deeply savoury profiles.

• Suggested Pairing: Mushroom risotto, vegetarian lasagna, veggie burgers, or braised root vegetables with herbs.

• Recipe Idea: Wild Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Oil

• Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 onion (finely chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 200g Arborio rice, 100ml Merlot, 700ml hot vegetable stock, 200g mixed wild mushrooms (sliced), 2 tbsp grated Parmesan, 1 tbsp unsalted butter, truffle oil for drizzling, salt, and pepper.

• Method: Sauté mushrooms in olive oil until browned. Set aside. In the same pan, sauté onion until soft, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add rice and stir for 2 minutes until translucent. Pour in the Merlot and stir until absorbed. Gradually add hot stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring constantly until each addition is absorbed before adding the next. This will take about 20-25 minutes. Stir in cooked mushrooms, Parmesan, and butter. Season to taste. Drizzle with truffle oil before serving. The wine’s earthy notes will beautifully complement the umami of the mushrooms and the creaminess of the risotto.

4. Casual Fare

The smooth and supple qualities of Merlot make it a perfect pairing for casual fare and classic comfort foods.

• Suggested Pairing: Hamburgers, pulled pork sliders, or grilled sausages. Just avoid sweeter BBQ sauces that could overpower the wine’s fruity notes.

• Recipe Idea: Gourmet Beef Burgers with Caramelised Onions

• Ingredients: 500g beef mince, 1 onion (sliced), 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Burger buns, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and your favourite condiments.

• Method: Form the beef mince into patties and season with salt and pepper. In a pan, sauté the sliced onion with olive oil until soft. Add the brown sugar and cook until the onions are golden brown and caramelised. Grill the burger patties to your desired doneness. Serve on a toasted bun with the caramelised onions, cheese, and fresh salad. The wine’s plush fruit will be a perfect match for the rich beef and the sweetness of the caramelised onions.

FAQ's about Pairing McLaren Vale Merlot

Q: What is the main difference between McLaren Vale Merlot and Bordeaux Merlot?

A: McLaren Vale Merlot is often produced in an "International style" that emphasizes late harvesting to produce full-bodied wines with lush, velvety tannins and hints of plum and blackberry. Traditional Bordeaux Merlot, on the other hand, is often harvested earlier, resulting in a more medium-bodied wine with a stronger red fruit flavour.

Q: What is the ideal serving temperature for Merlot?

A: Merlot is best served slightly cooler than many other full-bodied reds, typically between 16-18°C. Serving it too warm can make the alcohol more prominent, while serving it too cold can mute its beautiful aromatics and fruit.

Q: How long can you cellar a McLaren Vale Merlot?

A: Most McLaren Vale Merlots are designed to be enjoyed in their youth, within 3-5 years of the vintage. However, premium, well-structured examples from top producers can age gracefully for 5-10 years or even longer. As the wine matures, its fresh fruit notes will evolve into more complex savoury, earthy, and leathery characteristics.

Q: Does Merlot need to be decanted?

A: Decanting is not typically necessary for most young Merlots, as they are approachable with soft tannins. However, a young, full-bodied Merlot or an older, aged bottle may benefit from decanting for an hour or so to allow it to breathe, soften its tannins, and express its complex aromas.

Q: Can Merlot be paired with spicy food?

A: Yes, Merlot can be paired with mildly spiced Asian dishes. Its balanced fruit and tannins and its soft acidity can complement the richness of a dish without clashing with the heat. However, with its low acidity, Merlot also pairs well with lean meats or white meat.