Merlot is the most widely planted grape variety in Bordeaux. You can taste Merlot as a single grape wine but also often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot main descriptors include: medium-bodied flavors of cherries, plums and notes of chocolate. There are two notable styles of Merlot. The international style is popular in the New World where the grapes are harvested late and get a more purple-like color and fuller taste. The traditional Bordeaux style with early harvest that gives wine higher acidity, a little less fullness and flavors of red fruits like strawberry and raspberry.
Where is Merlot from?
Originating from the world-renowned wine region of Bordeaux in France, Merlot is a red wine grape variety that has captured the palates of wine enthusiasts globally. The birthplace of Merlot, Bordeaux, is distinguished for its role in creating some of the finest blends, where Merlot is a key player along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Merlot's prominence, however, extends beyond the French borders, finding a substantial foothold in California's wine country. California's sunny climate and diverse soils offer an optimal environment for Merlot, resulting in wines with distinctive profiles that vary from their Bordeaux counterparts. Regardless of its origin, Merlot is cherished for its smooth, plummy flavors, moderate tannins, and easy-drinking nature, marking its place as one of the world's most popular wines.
Merlot is one of the world's most planted grape varieties, along with the famous Cabernet Sauvignon. France accounts for approximately two thirds of the world's total plantation of Merlot, followed by Italy (Tuscany, Veneto), the United States (California, Washington), Spain, Romania and Chile. Merlot is often grown near Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards but usually in the colder zones as the Merlot grape would otherwise ripen prematurely.
Interesting story about Merlot
An 18th-century French official first used 'Merlau' in his notes on the best wines. It is believed that the grape is named after the little blackbird (called 'merlau' in one of the local French dialects) who likes to eat grapes. DNA tests have shown that Merlot is descended from Cabernet Franc and it is a half-sibling of Carmenere, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Merlot grape characteristics
Merlot thrives in cool soil, especially well in ferrous clay. It buds early, making it vulnerable to frosty spring nights. Merlot does not need much water so it needs well-drained soil. Merlot ripens early: once the grapes have developed, it can mature very quickly until it becomes overripe.
Merlot Wines
In France, wines are often named after the region they come from. Like a traditional Bordeaux wine, Merlot is considered to have a fullness and roundness. In Bordeaux, it is mainly grown on the north bank of the river Gironde and in the regions such as Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. Merlot is traditionally blended with other Bordeaux grapes such as, for example, Cabernet Franc. In Italy, Merlot is produced as a single grape wine or blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc in the Friuli region or with Sangiovese in Tuscany. In the US, Merlot is used to produce all styles of red wines from light red wines to more complex aged wines.