This amazing grape variety was originally grown and cultivated in the Bordeaux region of France. Slowly and steadily these grapes have been introduced to other countries and are now cultivated all over the world. The red wine produced from these grapes has practically become a staple amongst wine lovers globally. An interesting fact about this grape is that it develops its personality depending on where it’s been grown.
A bottle of Merlot usually has flavors of oaky, vanilla, dark berries, and a little bit of spice. It is a full-bodied dry red wine with low tannins and medium acidity. So, be sure not to pair your bottle of Merlot with highly acidic food as that might ruin your wine tasting experience. A good bottle of Merlot is often characterized by how well the layers of flavors are crafted, and you can expect the flavors of dark plums, spices, and herbs. If the Merlot has been aged in oak, it may have lingering flavors of vanilla and cedar. Here, I’m going to write about some of the top Merlot wines under $10 from some unrecognized and surprising wineries.
Best Cheap Merlot Wines Under $10
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(3.9 / 5) Best Overall
- Name — 14 Hands Merlot
- Winery — 14 Hands
- Country/Region — United States, Washington, Columbia Valley
- Type — Washington Merlot
- Aroma — Dark Fruits, Oak, Spices, And Herbs
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Berries, Vanilla, Oak, Cedar, Mocha
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Beef Tartare, Barbecue Ribs, Burgers, Grilled Steak, Pasta Marinara
If you’re looking for a cheap Merlot, then the 14 Hands Merlot is the best American Merlot under $10. The 14 Hands winery was established in 2005 and has been dedicated to crafting the most exquisite wines. The terroir is characterized by gravel and loamy soils. The wine produced from these types of soils often has bold fruit and crisp flavors.
This juicy bottle of Merlot has exquisite flavors of cherries and blackberries which are balanced with subtle notes of mocha. The 14 Hands is aged in American and French oak barrels giving subtle notes of vanilla, cedar, and oak to this red winemaking it the best Merlot wine under $10. You can pair this bottle of Merlot with almost any kind of meal, especially if it contains beef, veal, lamb, and pasta.
Best Value
- Name — Gallo Family Vineyards Merlot
- Winery — Gallo Family
- Country/Region — United States, California
- Type — Californian Merlot
- Aroma — Smoky, Plums, Herbs, And Oak
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Raspberry, Tobacco, Spices, Vanilla, Oak, And Chocolate
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Pot Roast, Indian Food, Ground Beef Burritos
If you’re looking to surprise your taste buds with a good bottle of red wine, then the Gallo Family produces a good Merlot under $10. This California-based Merlot tends to have bolder fruit flavors, like blackberry and raspberry. To balance out this explosion of flavors, the wine is layered beautifully with chocolate and bold mocha notes. This medium-bodied wine benefits greatly from being aged in oak barrels. This gives the wine lingering flavors of vanilla, cedar, and oak.
This delightful bottle of red wine has a smoky flavor with hints of plums, herbs, spices, and oak. This is a bold wine with intense flavors of plum, raspberries, and a little hint of tobacco. If you’re looking to pair this bottle of wine with food, then make sure to match it with beef, veal, and lamb. The wine is low in acidity and has soft tannins and a smooth, long finish justifying it as a top-rated Merlot under $10.
My Personal Favorite
- Name — Mirassou Merlot
- Winery — Mirassou
- Country/Region — United States, California
- Type — Californian Merlot
- Aroma — Oak, Smooth Vanilla, Berries
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Blackberry, Black Cherry, Vanilla, Oak
- Alcohol Content — 13.8%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Meat Ball Pasta, Hearty Meat Dishes, Roast Lamb, Roast Beef
In my opinion, the Mirassou Merlot is the best cheap Merlot under $10. Mirassou Wineries harvest their Merlot grapes at night to keep them cool. After the harvest, the grapes are soaked for over 24 hours to extract the best colors and flavors from the grapes. Like the other Merlots, the Mirassou Merlot is also aged in oak to balance the intense flavors of the grape. This creates subtle layers of vanilla and fruity flavors.
If you’re in the mood for a tangy bottle of red wine, then Mirassou Merlot is probably the best inexpensive Merlot you can find. This wine boasts flavors of blackberries, black cherries, and raspberries, and also features sweet aromas of vanilla, oak, and berries. If you want to pair this wine with food, ensure that you match it with foods like beef, veal, and lamb. This Merlot is not too acidic but pairing it with highly acidic foods can make this wine overbearing.
Best From California
- Name — Bogle Merlot
- Winery — Bogle
- Country/Region — United States, California
- Type — Californian Merlot
- Aroma — Dark Plums, Berries, Oak, Vanilla, Tobacco
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Berries, Oak, Vanilla, Spices
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Baked Pasta, Meatloaf, Burgers, Roast Turkey
This smooth and subtle red wine is another Merlot under $10. This bold and intense red wine boasts exquisite aromas of summer berries, plums, with lingering hints of vanilla, oak, and tobacco. The Bogle Merlot is a soft, smooth wine with rich flavors and medium levels of acidity and soft tannins. The Bogle Merlot has the delicate influences of Cabernet Sauvignon. If you’re planning on pairing this wine with food, then popular and perfect choices are dishes that are dark meat based like duck, beef, veal, and lamb.
With 50 years of experience in wine manufacturing, the Bogle family follows their strict philosophy of producing premium quality wines for their customers. They believe in hard work, quality, and dedication and deliver on these characteristics with their wines. Each field of grapes is vinted and distilled separately. This allows Bogle to accentuate the unique characteristics of the grapes and has earned them the reputation for being producers of superior quality wines.
Best From Washington
- Name — Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot
- Winery — Columbia Crest
- Country/Region — United States, Washington, Columbia Valley
- Type — Washington State Merlot
- Aroma — Dark Cherries, Chocolate, Oak
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Cedar, Vanilla, Oak, Dark Fruits
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Quesadillas, Roast Chicken, Mushroom Pasta, Dark Chocolate
Established in 1983, Columbia Crest Wineries are devoted to maintaining their commitment to their heritage, winemaking, and supreme quality. Columbia Crest is home to one of the best climates to grow and cultivate Merlots in. The weather and soil allow Columbia Crest to produce supreme quality wines that are representative of their philosophies. This red wine has intense aromas ranging from chocolate, dark cherries, and oak.
Columbia Crest ages their Merlots in American and French Oak barrels giving the wine lingering tastes of oak, vanilla, and cedar. Also, a fraction of the wine is aged in stainless steel canisters to preserve the intensity and refreshing qualities of the grape. The Columbia Crest Merlot pairs perfectly with foods like blue cheese, duck, lamb, veal, and dark chocolate. This medium acidic wine with soft tannins has a smooth and velvety finish that will leave your palate wanting more.
Best From Australia
- Name — Lindeman’s Bin 40 Merlot
- Winery — Lindeman’s
- Country/Region — Australia, South Eastern Australia
- Type — Australian Merlot
- Aroma — Dark Fruits, Oak, Vanilla, Chocolate, Cedar
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Plums, Chocolate, Licorice, Oak, Cherry
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Curry, Filet Mignon, Cajun Chicken, Dark Chocolate
Australia is famous for Shiraz red wine. But you’ll be surprised to know that the country produces one of the best Merlots out there. Many people tend to characterize Australia with inexpensive and cheap wine production. This makes them miss out on some of the best wines they produce. The Bin 40 Merlot is a soft, versatile, and elegant bottle of red wine with exquisite characteristics. The wine boasts aromas of red berries, dark berries, oak, vanilla, and cedar.
This rich wine has enriching flavors of dark berries, plums, oak, cherry, and vanilla. You can pair this wine with red meat like beef, lamb, and veal. As you may already know, the Merlot is a fruit that ripens quickly. This makes the wine have intense earthy flavors and also develops exquisite flavors of berries as the wine ripens. It also features beautiful flavors of chocolate and licorice.
Best From France
- Name — Maison Nicolas Merlot
- Winery — Maison Nicolas
- Country/Region — France, Vin de Pays, Pays d’Oc
- Type — French Merlot
- Aroma — Dark Fruits, Oak, Vanilla
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Dark Berries, Chocolate, Plum
- Alcohol Content — 12.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Pancetta Pasta, Grilled Chicken, Grilled Vegetables, Cold York Ham
The Maison Nicolas Merlot is an exquisite and underrated bottle of red wine. Merlots from the Pays d’Oc and Languedoc-Roussillon region in France are one of the best in the world and are also the largest wine-producing region in the world. It accounts for almost a third of the country’s wine manufacturing. South of France is home to grapes like the Cabernet, Grenache, and Merlot. The Maison Nicolas Merlot is a fruity, versatile, and soft wine with intense color.
The wine boasts flavors of dark fruits like plums and blackberries. It also exhibits flavors of vanilla, oak, and cedar. Upon opening the bottle you’re greeted with aromas of dark fruits, vanilla, and oak. The Maison Nicolas specialize in producing wines that are inexpensive yet premium quality. Therefore, if you’re looking for wines that are cheap but amazing, the Maison Nicolas Merlot is probably the best affordable Merlot you can buy.
Best From Chile
- Name — Casillero del Diablo Merlot
- Winery — Casillero del Diablo
- Country/Region — Chile, Central Valley
- Type — Chilean Merlot
- Aroma — Licorice, Cherries, Vanilla, Chocolate
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Cherries, Vanilla, Oak, Licorice
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Spicy Food, Grilled Meat, Aged Cheeses, Crispy Duck
The Casillero Del Diablo Merlot is an underrated yet inexpensive bottle of good quality Merlot. This wine is widely available in over 140 countries and is the most recognized Chilean wine brand all over the world. Close to 135 years ago, Don Melchor de Concha y Toro, the owner of Vina Concha y Toro had set aside his most prized bottles of wine. Slowly he started noticing that his bottles were disappearing. To stop this from happening he started a rumor saying that the Devil lived in his cellar, which led to the name: Casillero del Diablo.
The Casillero del Diablo Merlot is a smooth wine with a velvety and elegant finish. Once you open the bottle of wine you will be greeted with aromas of cherries, licorice, vanilla, and toffee. And once you taste this wine your palate will identify the subtle and smooth flavors of chocolate, berries, vanilla, oak, and cherries. The best foods to pair this wine with are risotto, pasta, beef, lamb, and veal.
Best From Italy
- Name — Ecco Domani Merlot
- Winery — Ecco Domani
- Country/Region — Italy, Terre Siciliane
- Type — Italian Merlot
- Aroma — Cherry, Blackberry, Oak, Vanilla
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Blackberry, Chocolate, Cherry, Oak
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Lasagna, Pork Sausage, Steak, Meatballs, Seared Salmon
Wines from Northern Italy like the Ecco Domani Merlot are some of the most popular red wines in the entire country. They are home to other red wines like the Barbera, Nebbiolo, and Amarone. The most important regions for wine cultivation in Northern Italy are Piedmont in the northwest and Veneto in the northeast. Wines hailing from these regions are said to be the most sought-after wines in Italy.
The Ecco Domani Merlot is produced in the region of Sicily which provides the ideal conditions for the Merlot to grow in because of the warm sun and cool breezes at night. Other areas where the Merlot is cultivated are near the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the Valley of Temples. The wine itself is medium-bodied and well-crafted making it soft and smooth on the palate. The Merlot features exquisite aromas of cherry, blackberries, vanilla, and oak. It also boasts flavors of cherry, blackberries, oak, and vanilla on the palate easily making it another best budget Merlot.
Best From Argentina
- Name — Humberto Canale Estate Merlot
- Winery — Humberto Canale
- Country/Region — Argentina, Patagonia, Rio Negro
- Type — Argentinian Merlot
- Aroma — Raspberry, Black Currant, Vanilla, Oak
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Chocolate, Raspberry, Tobacco, Black Currant
- Alcohol Content — 13.9%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Beef Wellington, Roast Beef, Roast Lamb, Grilled Chops
Merlots in general are relatively new to Argentina. And like their most popular grape, the Malbec, the Merlot too grows perfectly well in this country. The Argentinian Merlot grows to be a soft and versatile grape that has rich flavors of black currant, cedar, oak, and spices. Merlot isn’t a widely planted grape in the region, but it grows well in high altitude areas like the Uco Valley and Patagonia.
The Humberto Canale Merlot is aged in American and French Oak barrels for 7 months before being bottled. This is a well-bodied bottle of wine that greets you with aromas of raspberry, black currant, and cherry. At the same, it boasts flavors of chocolate, vanilla, tobacco, raspberry, and black currants on the palate. If you’re looking to pair this bottle of wine with food, then match it with Patagonian lamb, tuna, swordfish, beef, lamb, veal.
Conclusion
If you haven’t familiarized yourself with a bottle of cheap Merlot, then it is the perfect time for you to do so. If you’re on a strict budget, then you need to know the best Merlot for the money you’re going to spend. This list of the best cheap Merlots does not include all Merlots. Rather, it is a starting point for you to purchase this exquisite wine and educate yourself on this mesmerizing red wine variety.
