California Merlot is described as:

• A. Very light bodied with no tannin
• B. Sparkling and sweet
• C. Medium bodied with light tannin and is also a great restaurant wine
• D. Full bodied with heavy tannin

Answer: (C)

Merlot from California typically shows a medium body with light tannins, giving a smooth, approachable mouthfeel that also has enough structure to pair with many foods. The body note describes how dense the wine feels in the palate, while the lighter tannins provide a touch of grip without overwhelming flavors. This balance makes it versatile in restaurants, where a wine needs to please a wide range of palates and pair well with a variety of dishes. The other descriptions don’t fit as neatly: Merlot isn’t usually very light with no tannin, it isn’t sparkling or sweet, and it isn’t typically full-bodied with heavy tannins—that stronger profile belongs more to wines like Cabernet Sauvignon.