- Last updated on February 18, 2023
Welcome! De Grendel Merlot review.
De Grendel Merlot is a delightful South African wine with a rich history that spans over 300 years.
Located in the Durbanville Hills area, De Grendel is a premium wine estate that is well-known for producing high-quality wines.
The Merlot grape is one of the most popular grape varieties grown in the region, and De Grendel’s Merlot is a great example of the excellent wine that can be produced from this grape.
Find below our De Grendel Merlot review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our De Grendel Merlot Review
- Brand: De Grendel
- Grape Varietal: Merlot
- Region: South Africa, Cape Town
- Tasting Notes: Black Cherry & Plum fruit notes
- Glass & Serving: Bordeaux / 59-65 °F (15-18 °C) / Decant ~30mins
- Storage: Up to 5 years
- Price Range: ~$20
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
De Grendel Merlot review: What's its color?
De Grendel Merlot has a deep ruby-red color with purple undertones and fat slow falling legs.
If you want to know more about how to taste wine and the lingo that goes with it, check out this article: How To Taste Wine Like a Pro in 4 Steps.
De Grendel Merlot review: What are the flavors?
De Grendel Merlot is entirely made from Merlot grapes aged for 13 months in French oak barrels.
On the nose, it has a complex aroma that combines dark fruit notes with hints of vanilla, black pepper, and spices.
The aromas of black cherry, plum, and blackberry are also prominent, along with a subtle hint of tobacco.
On the palate, it is full-bodied and well-structured, with a balanced tannin profile.
Flavors of black cherry and plum dominate, with subtle notes of cocoa and vanilla in the background.
The wine has a long and smooth finish, with a touch of oak adding complexity to the flavor profile.
Is De Grendel Merlot wine sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. De Grendel Merlot wine is a dry wine.
Dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
De Grendel Merlot review: Which food pairs well with it?
De Grendel Merlot is a versatile wine that pairs well with a range of dishes.
It is an excellent choice to serve with grilled meats, such as steak or lamb chops, as well as roasted vegetables and hearty stews.
For a vegetarian option, try pairing it with a lentil and vegetable curry or roasted portobello mushrooms.
De Grendel Merlot review: What's its alcohol content?
De Grendel Merlot wine’s alcohol content is 14.7%.
In case you wonder about alcohol content or more precisely Alcohol By Volume, i.e. ABV, measure the alcoholic strength of a drink.
There is a direct relationship between the sugar left in the wine after the alcoholic fermentation has taken place, i.e. Residual Sugar or RS, and ABV.
During alcoholic fermentation, the yeast transforms the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
Grapes with high residual sugar will therefore produce dry wine with a high ABV.
How many calories are in a glass of De Grendel Merlot wine?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. So a wine with high ABV will have higher calories per glass than wine with low ABV.
Furthermore, sugar contributes to the calorie count.
A dry wine will usually have 4 calories per gram vs a sweet wine that will have around 20 calories per gram of carbs, which include sugar.
What is De Grendel?
Here is an extract from the De Grendel website:
“The meticulous care of the vineyards allows the grapes to express the environment in which they are grown and their distinctive varietal character.
Careful harvesting and gentle handling in the cellar, combined with the winemaker’s passionate practice of their craft, carry the wines throughout the journey from fruit into wine.“
Conclusion
Overall, De Grendel Merlot is a great wine that showcases the best of South African winemaking.
It has a rich and complex flavor profile that will appeal to a wide range of wine lovers.
With its well-balanced tannins and long, smooth finish, it is a perfect choice for pairing with hearty meals.
Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or a casual wine drinker, De Grendel Merlot is definitely worth trying.
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Cheers!
