What Kind of Wine Is Fre Merlot?
Fre Merlot is an alcohol-removed red wine from California. As far as de-alcoholized wines go, it is enchanting and delicious. Fre Merlot starts with cherry and berry aromas. On the palate, black fruits explode, combined with capsicum, which leads to a sweet aftertaste. California Merlots are fruit-forward, displaying lots of raspberry and blackberry flavors, as well as chocolate notes. Due to the warm Mediterranean-type climate of California, they also have soft and velvety tannins.
Merlot is the most commonly known French grape variety and one of six grapes in the prestigious Bordeaux blends. Unlike California Merlot, the French version has more complexity in its tannin. The United States is the third-largest producer of Merlot, after France and Italy, with California being the main Merlot-producing region. Merlot grapes cultivated in Paso Robles, Sonoma County, or Napa Valley have the highest flavor concentration.
Fre Merlot Review
- Winery — Fre
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Saint Helena
- Type — Napa Valley Merlot
- Aroma — Red Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Almond, Charred Wood, Vanilla Spice
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Blackcurrant, Bramble, Plum, Lemon, Capsicum, Tomato Leaf, Cinnamon Spice
- Alcohol Content — 0.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Herb-crusted Lamb Chops, Veal Stews, Hamburgers, Pizza
Fre Merlot combines elegant aromas with a plush, almost luxurious taste, delivering a seductive wine-drinking experience. Cherry and plum dominate, while spice flavors add complexity and depth. Fre Merlot is alcohol-removed and is fantastic for consumers on the lookout for delicious beverages with low alcohol concentration. Fre Merlot is a sensual and irresistible red—a beauty. Do not miss out on it.
Tasting Notes
A very fresh but complex red wine, Fre Merlot is distinctive. As soon as the bottle uncorks, notes of red fruits emerge, creating excitement. Soon after, a nutty character emerges and combines harmoniously with a charred wood scent. Then, as the wine flows into the mouth, a wealth of dark fruits provide extra savoriness. The acidity is refreshing, driving to a fulfilling finish. What a fantastic alcohol-free Merlot!
Appearance
Fre Merlot wine has a gorgeous garnet color, resembling ripened pomegranate. The center is semi-opaque and thick, while near the rim, an indigo-purple hue develops. The legs of the wine are short and watery. Its chromatic depth is a pleasant and unexpected surprise, as usually, alcohol-free wines are thin without density.
Aroma
Fre Merlot is an aromatic red wine. Sweet-smelling aromas of cherry, raspberry, and cranberry reach the nose as the glass closes in. In addition, notes of almonds and vanilla spice mingle with a charred wood hint, creating a rich aromatic profile.
Taste
In the mouth, Fre Merlot showcases a multitude of sweet black fruits. Blackcurrant, bramble, and plum define the tasting experience. That said, notes of bell pepper and tomato leaf blend with an intense cinnamon spice hint, driving taste receptors crazy. Fre Merlot has plush tannins which are fully integrated with vivid acidity. Fre Merlot’s tasting profile displays several flavor layers. It is bold, albeit slightly thin.
Finish
Fre Merlot has a long aftertaste. Berry flavors are on the tip of the tongue as is a smoke sensation. A slight astringency exists too, but it is welcoming. This wine has a gratifying finish, concluding the tasting profile with dynamism and elegance.
Rating
Fre Merlot is a good value. It might be alcohol-free, but it maintains the structural components of the Merlot varietal. With fruit-forward aromas and soft cherry, and spicy flavors, it also has a rich finish, Fre Merlot is compelling. I can thoroughly recommend it. So go on, try some today.
Fre Merlot Food Pairing
Fre Merlot might be alcohol-free, but, thankfully, it is not free of deliciousness! It pairs well with herb-crusted lamb chops, where the wine’s herbaceous nature blends majestically with the dried herbs used in the crust. Another good option is to combine Fre Merlot with hearty veal stews.
The tenderness of the veal elevates the slight sweetness found on the palate. For casual occasions or when you don’t feel like cooking, enjoy this alcohol-removed red with juicy hamburgers and pepperoni pizza. Merlots, after all, are wines designed to be savored together with light-hearted meals or snacks, as they are fresh and fruity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Fre Merlot?
Fre Merlot is produced by the Fre winery, which is one of the US’s first alcohol-removed wine estates. This simply means that Fre crafts exclusively alcohol-free wines, great for daily enjoyment without guilt. On top of this, they produce their alcohol-free wines using traditional winemaking techniques.
How Is Fre Merlot Made?
Creating alcohol-removed wine is comparable to making wine by following the standard wine-making process. When harvest’s over, the grapes are de-stemmed. Then, they are crushed and pressed to release the free-run juice, as the grape juice is called by winemakers. Then, this juice goes into stainless steel vessels to undergo alcoholic fermentation. The temperature increases to ensure the extraction of color, flavor, and tannins from the fermented grapes.
Next, specialized wine-making techniques, like a malolactic conversation, take place to shape the character. However, at this point, things change a bit. By using state-of-the-art spinning cone technology, the alcohol is removed while preserving the elegant aromas and flavors. Afterward, the Fre Merlot is filtered and bottled. On its journey from California vineyards to the glass, Fre Merlot develops into a palatable wine beverage—without the alcohol.
Where Is Fre Merlot Made?
Fre Chardonnay is created in Saint Helena in Napa Valley, where beautiful vineyards create juicy fruit. The Merlot grapes grow in coastal sites from Monterey County to the Mediterranean-style vineyards of Napa. Located in the northern part of Napa County, Saint Helena has the warmest daytime temperatures in the whole of California.
And it’s thanks to them that it produces some of the most full-bodied wines in the United States. What’s more, the cool air that flows through Chalk Hill and the Mayacamas Mountains offers relief to the grapevines from the intense afternoon temperatures. The cool night-time temperatures help to preserve the acidity of the grapes.
How to Serve Fre Merlot?
The fact that Fre Merlot is alcohol-free does not alter the way it should be served. As such, Fre Merlot is served best at a standard room temperature (60 degrees Fahrenheit or 15 to 18 Celsius). Remember that if medium-bodied reds become too cold, they start to taste thin and empty. Likewise, if they reach higher temperatures than recommended, they a decrease in their freshness. As a result, their flavors become muddled, giving completely uninspiring wines.
Fre Merlot has to be poured into larger-sized wine glasses to allow the air to come into contact with the wine surface, encouraging it to release its intense aromatics and flavors. However, since it is a light and fruit-forward red, Fre Merlot goes nicely into balloon-shaped glasses for an eye-catching presentation. Decanting the wine is an option to consider, as Fre Merlot will benefit from the additional aeration and taste even more refreshing.
How Much Does Fre Merlot Cost?
The Fre Merlot price is average. That is understandable, considering it is an alcohol-removed red. Fre Merlot prices range from $10 to $13 per 750ml bottle, depending on the vendor. Consumers can obtain it without paying a hefty price and thus, enjoy the wine’s berry and cherry personality anytime.
How Long Does Fre Merlot Last?
In general, it is unwise to keep an alcohol-free wine in long-term storage as that could potentially harm its bright character. Fre Merlot is a red wine based on primary fruit aromas and flavors. What that means is that it simply doesn’t benefit very much from bottle aging. So, aim to consume it quickly, within six months from the date of bottling, if possible.
How Many Calories Does Fre Merlot Have?
Fre Merlot is a suitable dietary choice with a low-caloric density. There are approximately 18 calories in 1 fluid ounce of the beverage, amounting to just 70 calories per serving. The total calorie breakdown is 0 grams of fats, 23 grams of sodium, 22 grams of total carbohydrate, 0 grams of protein, and approximately 0 grams of total sugars.
As such, Fre Merlot calories are low, as in most alcohol-removed wines. The Fre Merlot alcohol content sits at 0,5% per 750ml bottle, a low alcohol concentration because of the wine’s alcohol-free personality.
Conclusion
Fre Merlot combines elegant aromas with a plush, almost luxurious taste, delivering a seductive wine-drinking experience. Cherry and plum dominate, while spice flavors add complexity and depth. Fre Merlot is alcohol-removed and is fantastic for consumers on the lookout for delicious beverages with low alcohol concentration. Fre Merlot is a sensual and irresistible red—a beauty. Do not miss out on it.
