Foods: Omaka Springs Merlot is a lighter example; try pairing it with foods of the same weight such a pasta dish with tomato sauce, grilled vegetables such as capsicums, courgettes, and eggplant, radicchio, roast chicken, pork, mushroom based foods, gourmet pizzas, steaks, heavier fish like tuna or salmon, pancetta/bacon, charcuterie (pâtés, terrines, and salami).  Will pair nicely with pungent spices like cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper, but be wary, too much spice will bring out the alcohol in the Merlot.  For fruits try prunes, apricots, and red grapes. Fruits served in heavy syrup like pears work well too.