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We headed straight to one of our favorite food and wine sites, Eat Drink Dine, to find a tasty pairing. Master sommelier Evan Goldstein created this site to share his extensive knowledge of fine wines and how to enjoy them. But even this expert admits there are no hard-and-fast rules about what food goes with what wine -- "It's mostly a matter of learning your own taste and trusting it." That said, we clicked on "Start With Wine" on the site's front page, went to "Merlot" on the list, and selected "Appetizers."
We found that antipasto and veal and pork pâtés are highly recommended appetizers to accompany a Merlot. Antipasto is an Italian hors d'oeuvre course that consists of smoked meats or fish, olives, aged cheese, and marinated vegetables. Pâté is a dense, rich paste or spread made of meat and spices. The site links to recipes for both, and notes that mushrooms and fresh herbs are other delicious compliments to Merlot. Because you mentioned cheese, we looked to see what specific cheeses go well with Merlot. According to Eat Drink Dine, excellent matches for Merlot include:
blue cheeses Gorgonzola and Maytag; semi-hard cheeses like mild Cheddar, Fontina, Gouda, Jarlsberg, and Swiss; and the soft-rind cheeses Brie and Camembert. Of course, not all Merlots are identical. Some are mild and some have a rich, tannic flavor. Mild, soft vintages are more flexible and can go with a variety
of foods, while heavier Merlots are better matched with boldly flavored food. Stop by Epicurious.com to learn more about pairing great wine and food. But don't be afraid to invent your own combinations.
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