Merlot or Shiraz?

[JerseyJanice]

My son's First Communion party is coming soon. We are holding it at a BYOB restaurant and plan to serve beer and wine for our guests that afternoon.

We will purchase light and regular "nip" bottles of beer, and the restaurant will serve those in ice buckets on the tables.

Wine, the waitstaff will pour and serve by the glass. We want to offer a red and white and am leaning towards Yellow Tail Chardonnay for the white. The red we expect to be Yellow Tail as well, but which kind would YOU prefer, if you were drinking it--merlot or shiraz?

The food will be served family style, and the main courses are veal parmagiana, chicken marsala and broiled tilapia.

 

[Blondie]

My favorite white is a Riesling! It's on the sweeter side, but I love it!

I've never had a shiraz, what is it like? I've always liked a nice merlot.

 

[Margie J]

I voted for the Shiraz. It's a lighter tasting wine but still with enough body to it. IMO it would be a better pairing with the food you are serving also.

Merlot is smokier and heavier, a good choice with marinated meats, BBQ steaks and rich roasts.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Margie answered you better than I ever could, Blondie. I'm a (light) beer drinker myself.

The description card in front of the shiraz display at the liquor store states that it has "blackberry" flavors, whatever that means.

 

[Beauty]

Hummm no Pina Colodas or Daiquires?? How about Mudslides???

I'm blind on wine JJ, I've only had it twice and wasn't to fond of it.

The meal sounds absoulutly fabulous though!!

 

[Shellie722]

The Yellow Tail Merlot is a nice merlot. It goes great w/ most red sauces and is not really heavy or smoky, it is a little lighter than some merlots w/ a slighty fruity quality along w/ a hint of oak. It has a smooth finish but does need to breathe a few minutes to get the best taste and finish from it. If you want a little lighter red you might try a pinot noir or a red zinfandel. I worked at an Italian resuraunt for a couple of years and those were very popular w/ dishes like veal parmigan and even though their reds they actually pair fairly well w/ chicken marsala. Hope this helps.