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Members of the-wine-guide can vote on the overall quality of a wine and a wine's rating is an average of the votes. You should view this as a rule of thumb. Like a movie review, you may love one film for certain qualities but someone else watching the exact same film may loth it for the same reasons. If a three star wine has a flavor profile that appeals to you, you should give it a shot. But you may want to give one star wines with many votes a miss.

flavor

Flavor profile of a wine. These are determined by votes, users of the-wine-guide chose what flavors they think are in the wine, the top 5 voted flavors will come out on top

origin

The place where a wine is grown. The place of origin is important because like coffee, a grape varietal will pick up distinct set of flavor characteristics based on the soil or climate of the region it is grown in. In Europe this is called terroir, and it is considered so important it is the foundation of their entire naming system.

varietal(s)

A varietal is the type of grape used to make the wine. Each varietal of grape has its own climate that it likes to grow in and a distinct flavor. The type of grape used to make a wine is largely responsible for how a wine will taste. So a bottle of Cabernet from California will have similar characteristics to a Cab from South Africa.

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body

The 'mouth-feel' of a wine. Can range from light, medium to full-bodied. A full bodied wine would be very rich, heavy and dense in character like a dark earl grey tea or a steak dinner. A light bodied wine would be refreshing like chrysanthemum tea or a salad.

Merlot

(varietals, merlot, red wine)

Smooth as silk

by The Wine Guide

Body: Medium Bodied
Taste: Dark fruit, cherry
Notes: Used in some of the most expensive wines in the world

Merlot is such a smooth, easy to like varietal that it's the butt of many jokes and the object of ire amoung wine snobs (watch the movie Sideways for some insight). Supple and primarily tasting of dark plums, smooth tannins, and sometimes a touch of chocolate, Merlot is very fashionable in California, Australia and Chile. It's easy-to-like character is the entry point for many people into the world of wine.

But don't mistake Merlot's easy going demeanor as a sign of a simple wine. In France, Merlot is the constant partner to Cabernet Sauvignon, giving an extra fruit boost to the normally tannic, austere Cab. Chateau Petrus is one of the most sought after and expensive wines in the world and it's approximately 95% Merlot (the other 5% being Cabernet Franc).

At the other end of the price scale, Chile produces a consistent varietal style of Merlot for a good price. California tends to turn on the after burners with Merlot, creating a rich, incredibly fruity and concentrated wine that matures in charred oak barrels to soak up oodles of vanilla & toast.

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