Merlot

First things first, if your going to "talk wine" you should know a little about the wine in question. Merlot is the name of a red grape which traces its ancestry to the biturica variety. This was brought to France in the first century. From this stock came many of the varieties we know today - Cabernet, Malbec, and so on. The "Merlot" grape was not named as a distinct variety until the 1800s. It is known as a Noble Bordeaux varietal.
Merlot is not well suited for long aging, so until recently the wine made from merlot grapes was used solely as a blending wine. Not quite as harsh as other reds, merlot has less tannin than a Cabernet and can therefore be drunk earlier. It is mellow but still complex, a bit chewy. Merlot is known for the flavors of plums, black cherry, violets, and orange. It is a perfect match for beef and other medium-heavy dishes. Try some with a rich, red pasta dish, or even a heavy chicken dish. Merlot is also an excellent compliment to chocolate. Merlot should be served at 64F.