Name: Nazar Turkish Kitchen + Bars El Chivo Merlot Recipe
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 bottle El Chivo Merlot (Central Valley, Chile); 1 to taste Wine decanter or large glass pitcher (optional); 4 to taste Red wine glasses; 150 g Aged cheddar or manchego; 150 g Charcuterie (e.g., prosciutto, salami); 1 loaf Crusty bread or baguette; 50 g Dark chocolate (70% cocoa); 100 g Fresh berries (cherries/raspberries) for garnish

Med Bag of Chips

Ham, cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes, and arugula.

Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Sliced turkey, lettuce, tomato, and mustard in a whole wheat wrap.

Fit Turkey Wrap

Central Valley, Chile. Bright cherry, raspberry, and plum with light spice and a touch of oak. Smooth, medium-bodied palate echoing the same red fruits, soft tannins, and a clean, rounded finish.

Chill the bottle to serving temperature (about 55-60°F / 13-15°C). Remove from refrigerator for 20–30 minutes if over-chilled. Use a corkscrew to open the bottle carefully, wiping the lip with a clean cloth.

Chill and open

Pour the wine slowly into a decanter or large pitcher. For a medium-bodied Merlot like El Chivo, decant for 20–45 minutes to allow the bright cherry, raspberry, and plum aromas to open and any light oak and spice notes to integrate. If you do not decant, pour directly into glasses and allow the wine to breathe in the glass for 10–15 minutes.

Decanting (optional)

Use tulip-shaped red wine glasses. Fill each glass to about one-third full (approximately 120–150 ml per serving) to allow swirling and aeration. Swirl gently once or twice to release aromas, then inhale to appreciate the bright red fruit and subtle spice.

Glassware & pouring

Cheese and charcuterie: Arrange the aged cheddar or manchego and charcuterie on a board. Serve bites-sized pieces so guests can sample the wine between morsels. The wine’s smooth medium body and soft tannins pair well with savory, slightly salty meats and nutty cheeses.

Bread and chocolate: Slice the crusty bread and offer as a palate cleanser between richer bites. Serve small pieces of dark chocolate (70% cocoa) as an after-dessert pairing—dark chocolate highlights the wine’s plum notes and adds pleasant bitterness against the fruit.

Fresh fruit garnish: Offer a small bowl of fresh cherries or raspberries. A bite of fresh berry with a sip will echo the wine’s bright red fruit character and refresh the palate.

Temperature note: If the wine warms above 65°F (18°C), briefly chill for 10–15 minutes. If it is too cold and muted, let it sit in the glass a few minutes to open up.

El Chivo Merlot (Central Valley, Chile)

Wine decanter or large glass pitcher (optional)

Red wine glasses

Aged cheddar or manchego

Charcuterie (e.g., prosciutto, salami)

Crusty bread or baguette

Dark chocolate (70% cocoa)

Fresh berries (cherries/raspberries) for garnish

El Chivo Merlot

Make El Chivo Merlot Recipe in just 45m. Central Valley, Chile. Bright cherry, raspberry, and plum with light spice and a touch of oak. Smooth, medium-bodied palate echoing the same red fruits, soft tannins, and a clean, rounded finish.

El Chivo Merlot

Descriptors

Tasting Notes

Food Pairings

You might also like