American Taste in Wine is More Than Merlot

After the film, Sideways, completely annihilated the Merlot market, wine drinkers (both pro and amateur) began a desperate scramble for a respectable alternative. Merlot has always been the easy answer, pretty much a given for anyone drinking reds. While Merlot remains just as good as it ever was, the movie did make one thing clear: Sometimes choosing Merlot is simply a little too easy.

Just a two years in its wake, wine menus across the US are undergoing a drastic remodeling session. Many restauranteurs are giving Merlot a break to make room for what may very well be the shaping of a more sophisticated American palette. If you’re wondering what exactly that means, the answer is simple. Wine lists are giving our neighbors to the south a moment in the spotlight.

Just as the Australian shiraz gained widespread notoriety in the States several years ago, so are Chile, Argentina, and Spain finally getting their chance to shine. Wine connoisseurs spotted these countries and found in them young, vibrant and complex wine cultures. Move over Merlot, say hello to Malbec, Carmenere, and Tempranillo.

Argentina is the youngest of the budding wine cultures, with a history just over a decade long. The country’s dry, sunny climate and low rain fall is ideal for vine growth and allows the grapes to ripen fully. Argentina’s signature wine is, without a doubt, the Malbec. Originally a varietal from the Southwest of France, Malbec flourishes in Argentina’s arid soil. The result is a full-bodied red wine with fruity flavor and undertones of blackberry.

Spain has a considerably longer history of wine cultivation- about 3,000 years old, to be precise. Spain’s claim to fame is its native Tempranillo, a black grape whose thick skin makes it a particularly adaptable varietal.for the Rioja region. Tempranillo is a highly aromatic wine, with intense fruit flavor, firm tannins and a finish with hints of vanilla and chocolate. Needless to say, although long overlooked, Tempranillo is as distinctive is it is complex, the national sweetheart of Spain.

Not to be overlooked is Chile, perhaps the newest of these three countries to grace the American wine scene. In the past decade, Chilean vintners began updating their wine production and processing techniques by adopting French and American wine technologies, such as smaller oak barrels, temperature-controlled fermenting tanks, and refrigeration units for shipping. It has certainly paid off, as Chile is receiving the respect and recognition it deserves. Chile is famous for its reds, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, however if you’re looking to try something new, check out the Carmenere. Something of a cross between Cab and Merlot, this rich, crimson varietal is spicy, with a smooth, fruity finish, a distinct pleasure to taste.

The next time you’re scanning the wine list, keep an eye out for these up-and-comers. You’re table is sure to be impressed.