Idisma Dryos Merlot Wine Art Estate

Idisma Drios Merlot by Wine Art Estate is a cool-climate Merlot with a more serious, dense and food-driven side. It comes from Drama, a region that gives Merlot exactly what it needs in order not to become heavy or one-dimensional: freshness, clean fruit and good balance. Wine Art Estate works with it in a way that highlights the fleshy texture of the variety, while keeping the wine lively and focused.
During vinification, a few days of pre-fermentation cold maceration are applied, allowing colour, phenolics and structure to pass into the must before alcoholic fermentation begins. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with regular pump-overs for better extraction, while after malolactic fermentation the wine is transferred to French oak barrels, one third of them new, for 12 months of ageing.
In the glass, it has an intense ruby colour and aromas of plum, red fruit, liquorice, vanilla, mint and bitter chocolate. On the palate, it is full, peppery and muscular, with high acidity, firm yet velvety tannins and a long finish. It is a Merlot with volume, but not a tiring one; it has that nice contrast between power and the soft, juicy feel of the variety.
At the table, it asks for dishes with intensity. Try it with truffle risotto, grilled mushrooms, pizza with cured meats, cheddar, gorgonzola, duck, coq au vin, beef cheeks or a good T-Bone steak. It is a red wine for richer flavours, but with enough balance not to overpower the food.