After opening a bottle of merlot, it’s best to let it aerate for at least 15 to 30 minutes. Older, richer bottles may need to decant longer. Merlot can be served at room temperature or cooled down a few degrees. Pour merlot into a red wine glass with a wider bowl and rim, which can level out any bitterness if it’s a bolder merlot. Medium-bodied merlots are suitable in any red wine glass. Enjoy merlot in a stemmed glass or a stemless one.