How to Pick the Best Merlot for Any Budget

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Shopping for red wine? Looking for a varietal that’s slightly softer than vino with strong, tannic power of cabernet sauvignon, but something that’s not as seductively luscious as a syrah or zinfandel?

Have you considered merlot for this particular purchase?

Yes, the one that you seem to always pass up at the store, thinking it’s just “so-so,” or “meh,” or too “basic” of a red wine option to make it worthy of serving at a dinner party.

Let’s give merlot its glorious moment to shine!

Merlot is the second-most-planted wine grape worldwide, following cabernet sauvignon, and is the most-often planted grape variety in the Bordeaux region of France.

As described by Christine Marsiglio, a certified Master of Wine and head wine educator at in Wine Folly, merlot is the “smooth operator” of red wine grape varieties – its subdued tannins are smooth on the palate, with an approachable, moderate acidity level that isn’t overly harsh.

Merlot is also popular for its adaptability to a variety of climates – depending on what region the merlot grape is grown in around the world, the wine’s aroma and taste can vary immensely.

Generally, in cooler climates, wines made with it can taste and smell of fresh plums and black cherries, while in warmer climates, merlot is often reminiscent of baked, bursting, juicy blackberries.

The longer merlot wine ages, the more it will develop notes of leather, tobacco, and dark, bittersweet chocolate. And if it is aged in oak barrels, merlot may exude vanilla, cedar, bay leaf, and black pepper notes.

These versatile qualities make merlot a popular grape for wine blends, as well as a reliable, food-friendly choice for serving with many different dishes.

And it also means you can find this selection at a wide range of price points!

Are you trying to maintain a disciplined financial plan with minimal hits to your bank account? Or are you sitting on top of a hefty mountain of disposable income and you’re prepared – and excited! – to splurge on a top-notch bottle?

There’s an excellent merlot available for any budget to place on your home wine rack!

We’ll review three different price points, and offer stellar wine suggestions to purchase within each of these budget ranges.

Inexpensive – But Not Cheap

Even when you are trying to stay within a strict spending limit, you can find many lovely, low-budget bottles of merlot for under $20, and some lower than $15!

This is as long as you buy from reputable sources who have done the research to select the best producers, of course, who make wine with quality in mind.

Find this bottle and review pricing at Wine Insiders now.

Modestly Moderate – The Perfect Middle Ground

Do you want a bottle that’s an upgrade from the low-budget picks, but you still want to honor a practical price cap? Purchase merlot with a mid-range price!

A budget of $40 or less will give you an impressively wide selection of high-quality options when you’re shopping.

Be on the lookout for red wine blends featuring merlot – especially when all the grapes represented in the blend are grown at the same vineyard, you’ll be able to experience a multifaceted taste of the vineyard’s unique terroir. And you can do that without spending a fortune!

With a notably strong profile, this wine’s dark chocolate, cherry, blackberry, and toasted spice flavors meld particularly well with its dry texture and robust body.

Splurge-Worthy – The Best Quality or Biggest Quantity

If money is no object, let’s go on a shopping spree! A budget of $40 or more unleashes the grandest assortment of buying choices.

Generally, excellent wines that are exclusively grown, harvested, and produced by only one estate from a single vintage will be more expensive than commercial, non-vintage wines produced in bulk by an offsite manufacturer.

This, among many other factors, is one reason why certain wines will be more expensive than others.

A beautiful expression of California wine country, Titus Vineyards 2019 Napa Valley Merlot is a fine choice to buy at a higher price point.

A blend of 77% merlot, 17% malbec, and 6% cabernet sauvignon grapes, it has a soft, creamy texture and red fruit notes of pomegranate, raspberry, and cranberry. A strong combination of red plums, graphite, and spices makes for an unforgettable finish!

You can purchase this bottle now from California Wine Club.

Size is also a consideration for how much you would like to spend. In order to serve larger parties of wine drinkers, you have the opportunity with a bigger budget to buy merlot in larger quantities, or merlot that is bottled in a bigger format.

A serious advantage of buying wine in a larger format is the value that you’ll gain – you’ll get to enjoy more wine for less money. As long as you understand that you need to drink all of the contents in a timely manner to preserve its quality once the bottle is opened, this is a purchasing decision worth pursuing.

All things considered, this an ideal choice for a party with fellow red wine drinkers in attendance!

The standard bottle size is 750 milliliters, or about five servings of wine. A magnum bottle size is 1.5 liters, which is equivalent to two standard bottles.

If you’re interested, find it now at Wine Insiders. You can also purchase this selection in a set of three, if hosting events and parties in your household is a common occurrence.

For the best information on top merlot selections currently available in your area, we advise that you consult the expert sales staff at your local wine purveyor, or speak with a sommelier at a local restaurant with a lauded wine program.