Merlot - the all-rounder

Merlot is a red wine grape variety that probably originated in France and is still one of the six grape varieties grown in Bordeaux. It is a popular grape as it produces fruity and full-bodied wines. It is now also increasingly being bottled as a single variety in South Africa, as its herbal flavours and fruit are appreciated. It is very well suited as a blending partner for Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is early-ripening, prefers cooler climates than Cabernet Sauvignon and produces round, low-acid and low-tannin red wines with a soft, velvety sweetness and flavours of black cherry, chocolate and jammy fruit.

More about Merlot

Profiles

Merlot red wine is characterised by juicy plum fruit, velvety tannins, a silky texture and a subtly bitter finish. Its mild acidity makes Merlot a smooth, full-bodied wine and therefore a palate-pleaser. The soft tannins bring in notes of blackberries and blueberries and ensure that the red wines vinified from Merlot are usually full-bodied and ready to enjoy early. Due to its relatively high sugar content, Merlot is often high in alcohol.

Fruit★★★★

Body★★★★

Tannin★★★★

Acidity★★★★

Alcohol★★★★

Flavours

Merlot is one of the most popular red wine varieties in the world. Wines from this grape variety are particularly impressive due to their variety of flavours and fruitiness. Their round, often opulent flavour delights a large number of wine connoisseurs. Merlots differ in flavour depending on where they are grown. In warm regions such as South Africa, Australia and California, blackberry, berry jam and vanilla flavours are to the fore. Notes of red plum and cedar dominate in cooler climates such as France and Chile. Merlot matured in American oak has full dill and cedar flavours. As the Merlot matures, it becomes even softer and the fruit flavours disappear behind a herbal note.

Dominant notes:

- Raspberry
- black cherry
- persimmon
- chocolate
- cedar

Possible notes:

- Herbs/flowers: Violet, bay leaf, sage, aniseed
- Red fruit: American blueberry, redcurrant, cherry, raspberry, red plum
- Dark fruit: persimmon, black cherry, blueberry, blackberry
- Dried fruit: fruit cake, fig
- Earth/Other: New leather, potting soil, clay pot
- Secondary notes: Cream
- Aged in oak: vanilla, chocolate, baking spices, incense, cedar, coffee, toffee

Harmonises with

Merlot is an all-rounder as an accompaniment to food. It harmonises just as well with meat and game dishes as it does with Italian cuisine or a cold dinner. Merlot is particularly popular with dark meat such as lamb, game or a hearty T-bone steak. As Merlot wines are less tannic, they are an excellent accompaniment to a mature cheese buffet. Merlots from overseas are also suitable for drinking on their own.

General information

Together with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is one of the most important grape varieties in the world. The red wine grape is widespread internationally and has grown rapidly in the last few decades, particularly in the New World. Today, it is cultivated on around 267,000 hectares, mainly in France, the USA, Spain, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Chile and Australia. It is the most widely cultivated grape variety in Bordeaux.

Merlot is one of the so-called Cépages Nobles, i.e. the noblest grape varieties in the world. The Merlot vine is a cross between the already extinct Magdeleine Noire des Charentes grape variety and the Cabernet Franc. The original origin of Merlot can be traced back to the French region of Bordeaux. The Merlot grape variety was first mentioned there in the 14th century and is still one of the three most important red wine varieties there today. The name of the grape variety also indicates its French roots. Merlot is derived from the word "merle", which means blackbird. The name could be due to the black-blue colouring of the grapes, which is very similar to blackbird plumage, or to the blackbird's particular preference for Merlot grapes.

Merlot vines grow in many climatic zones, on a wide variety of soils and produce good wines. The vines are easy to cultivate and produce solid yields, making Merlot a popular base wine for cuvées. As the variety is susceptible to late frost due to its early budding and is not very hardy, only suitably sheltered locations are suitable for its cultivation. Merlot vines prefer light soils that guarantee a sufficient water supply. High-quality Merlot grows on sites that have difficulty concentrating the grapes, i.e. on slopes and high altitudes.

Merlot grapes ripen relatively early with a good must weight and produce quite dark wines, which can be blended in cuvées or vinified as a single variety. The velvety soft character of Merlot wine makes it perfect for a cuvée, as it ensures a harmonious flavour of the red wine. Single-varietal Merlot wines come mainly from overseas; they are rather rare in Europe. In the end, there is something for almost every taste among the Merlot red wines: whether light or powerful, soft or sensual. For wine lovers with big wallets, "Château Pétrus" is made from the Merlot grape - the most exclusive and expensive wine in the world.