Top 5 Merlot Wines to Try
Merlot remains one of the world’s most popular red wine grapes, valued for its ripe fruit flavours, smooth texture and generally approachable tannins. It can produce everything from elegant Bordeaux reds to rich Italian wines made using the Appassimento method.
To help narrow the selection, we have featured five of the leading bottles currently appearing in Organica Food & Wine’s collection of Merlot wines available online. The selection includes French Bordeaux, organic Italian Merlot, a powerful Puglian blend and an organic award-winning red.
| Wine | Region | Style | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Château Le Gay Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge | Bordeaux, France | Smooth Bordeaux blend | £11.99 |
| Sgarzi Merlot Italia Organic | Venezia, Italy | Organic and vegan Merlot | £9.99 |
| Enzo Vincenzo Appassimento Rosso | Puglia, Italy | Rich Appassimento blend | £14.99 |
| Château Tertre Samonac Côtes de Bourg | Bordeaux, France | Organic 100% Merlot | £14.99 |
| Château Le Gay Bordeaux Rosé | Bordeaux, France | Cabernet Franc rosé | £11.99 |
1. Château Le Gay Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge
Price: £11.99
Region: Bordeaux Supérieur, France
Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec
Vintage: 2020
Alcohol: 13.5% ABV
Best with: Beef, venison and spicy roasted meats
Château Le Gay Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge is a particularly good-value introduction to Merlot-led Bordeaux. Merlot supplies the wine’s roundness and ripe fruit, while Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec contribute additional structure and complexity.
The aroma combines vanilla, sweet spices and delicate woody notes. Its palate is round and supple, with ripe, well-integrated tannins and a smooth, silky finish. It has enough structure for roasted beef or venison without becoming overly heavy.
The château’s earlier vintages have also received medals at the Lyon International Wine Competition and Challenge International du Vin.
Best for: An affordable, traditional Bordeaux blend.
View Château Le Gay Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge – £11.99
2. Sgarzi Merlot Italia Organic
Price: £9.99
Region: Venezia, Italy
Grape: Merlot
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 12.5% ABV
Credentials: Organic and vegan
Best with: Grilled meat, game and mature cheese
Sgarzi Merlot Italia Organic is the most affordable wine in this selection and one of the easiest to recommend for relaxed everyday drinking. Produced entirely from organically grown Merlot grapes, it is also suitable for vegan wine drinkers.
The wine has a vibrant ruby-red appearance with ripe cherry and plum aromas. Its palate is soft and enveloping, supported by a noticeable but approachable tannic structure. It provides enough depth for grilled or barbecued meat while remaining smooth enough to enjoy on its own.
Best for: Organic and vegan Merlot under £10.
View Sgarzi Merlot Italia Organic – £9.99
3. Enzo Vincenzo Appassimento Rosso Puglia IGT
Price: £14.99
Region: Puglia, Italy
Grapes: Negroamaro, Primitivo and Merlot
Vintage: 2020
Alcohol: 15% ABV
Best with: Grilled meat, stew, mature cheese and caramelised fruit
Enzo Vincenzo Appassimento Rosso is the boldest and most concentrated wine among these five selections. It combines Merlot with the southern Italian varieties Negroamaro and Primitivo.
The Appassimento technique involves partially drying the grapes to concentrate their sugars and flavours before winemaking. The resulting wine is rich and powerful, with dark cherry, fresh herb and vanilla notes. Oak ageing contributes additional depth and a smooth, warming finish.
At 15% ABV, this is a substantial red best served alongside equally rich food, including slow-cooked beef, lamb stew or mature cheeses.
Best for: Drinkers who prefer rich, powerful and concentrated red wine.
View Enzo Vincenzo Appassimento Rosso – £14.99
4. Château Tertre Samonac Côtes de Bourg
Price: £14.99
Region: Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux, France
Grape: 100% Merlot
Vintage: 2020
Alcohol: 13% ABV
Credentials: Organic and award-winning
Best with: Pasta, pizza, risotto and roasted dishes
Château Tertre Samonac Côtes de Bourg is the strongest choice for anyone specifically seeking a classic organic Merlot. It is produced entirely from Merlot grapes grown on vines between 25 and 30 years old.
The wine offers concentrated dark cherry and plum flavours accompanied by spice, gravel and tobacco nuances. Its acidity and tannins provide structure, although allowing the wine to breathe before serving should help soften its texture and reveal more of its fruit.
This organic Bordeaux was awarded a Bronze Medal at the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards.
Best for: An organic, award-winning 100% Merlot from Bordeaux.
View Château Tertre Samonac Côtes de Bourg – £14.99
5. Château Le Gay Bordeaux Rosé
Price: £11.99
Region: Bordeaux, France
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2023
Alcohol: 12.5% ABV
Style: Dry rosé
Best with: Seafood, salads, green vegetables and light pasta
Château Le Gay Bordeaux Rosé provides a refreshing change of pace from the red wines in this selection. Although it appears within the retailer’s Merlot collection, this particular wine is made from Cabernet Franc rather than Merlot.
It has a coral-pink colour and an expressive aroma of raspberry, red berries and boiled sweets. The palate is soft and relatively full for a rosé, with forest-fruit flavours and a fresh, delicately structured finish.
Serve it chilled with seafood, summer salads or lighter pasta dishes.
Best for: A fresh Bordeaux rosé alternative.
View Château Le Gay Bordeaux Rosé – £11.99
Which Merlot Wine Is Best?
The best choice depends on the style of wine you enjoy. Château Le Gay Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge represents excellent value for a traditional Bordeaux blend, while Sgarzi Merlot Italia Organic is the best affordable organic and vegan option.
Those wanting a richer red should consider Enzo Vincenzo Appassimento Rosso. Château Tertre Samonac Côtes de Bourg is our leading choice for drinkers seeking an organic wine made exclusively from Merlot grapes. Château Le Gay Bordeaux Rosé offers a lighter alternative, although it is produced from Cabernet Franc rather than Merlot.
You can compare these bottles with the complete selection of Merlot wines from Organica Food & Wine.
Prices and availability were checked in July 2026 and may change.