Never really got on with Merlot, maybe it's my tastebuds but whenever I've tried it it has always been heavy on the tannins so tastes a bit mouldy (have you seen the
wine wheel - become an instant connoisseur with all the right words to use to describe the flavour of your wine).
Red - enjoy a good cabernet Shiraz (Chileans are good and fruity - plus will help with the old shut-eye), or else a claret like Haut Medoc
White - like tenchards* from cote d'or - Chablis, Challonnais, Montagny and the favourite, Rully
Sorry not up on US wines...
* tenchards, what the hell are tenchards? Finally worked out my own typing - please read as 'the chards' (short for chardonnays) - back to typing school!