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Buy Merlot online in Australia at Whisky Wine Sake. The most approachable of the classic reds — plush, plummy and smooth — Merlot is both the perfect first red wine and, in the right hands, the grape behind some of the most expensive bottles on earth.
The velvet red
Merlot's signature is softness: ripe plum, black cherry and chocolate wrapped in gentle, rounded tannin. It ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon and drinks well younger, which is why the two are natural blending partners — Merlot brings the flesh, Cabernet the bones. Australian examples from Margaret River, the Yarra Valley and Wrattonbully lean bright and juicy, while Bordeaux's right bank (Pomerol, Saint-Émilion) shows what the grape can really do — profound, silky wines built almost entirely on Merlot.
When to pour it
Merlot is midweek-dinner royalty: roast chicken, pasta with red sauce, pizza, mushroom dishes, soft cheeses — it flatters them all without demanding attention. Serve at 15–17°C. If you find yourself wanting more structure, step across to Cabernet Sauvignon or a Cabernet Merlot blend; for more perfume, try Pinot Noir.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merlot a beginner's wine?
It's a brilliant starting point — soft and fruit-forward — but hardly training wheels: Pétrus, arguably the world's most coveted red, is essentially pure Merlot.
What's the difference between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon?
Merlot is plummier, softer and earlier-drinking; Cabernet firmer, more blackcurrant-and-cedar, and longer-lived. Blended, they complete each other — that's the Bordeaux formula.
Should Merlot be chilled?
Slightly — 15–17°C, about 20 minutes in the fridge. Its soft fruit turns soupy when served too warm.
Do you deliver Merlot across Australia?
Yes — fast, secure delivery Australia-wide, free shipping on NSW orders over $150, and click and collect from our Enmore Road store in Sydney.