One of the so-called international varietals, Merlot is a red wine grape used in numerous regions of the world, notably France, Italy, Switzerland and Chile.
edit Aromas
Merlot produces a soft, medium-bodied red wine with juicy fruit flavors such as plums, cherries, blueberries and blackberries mixed with blackpepper tones. The tannin levels are fairly low and the fruit flavors are typically very forward.
One of the traditional varietals used to make red Bordeaux, Merlot is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to counter its high tannins and bring body and softness to the wine.
edit Regions
Merlot originated from the Bordeaux region of France. It is the third most planted red grape in that country, and it is the fifth most planted in Italy.
Merlot is also grown in California, Romania and on a lesser scale in Australia, Argentina, Canada's Niagara Peninsula, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro, Slovenia, and other parts of the United States such as Washington and Long Island.
edit Viticulture
Merlot grapes are identified by their loose bunches of large berries. The color has less of a blue/black hue than Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and with a thinner skin, the grapes also have fewer tannins.
Merlot thrives in cold soil, particularly ferrous clay. The vine tends to bud early which gives it some risk to cold frost and its thin skin increases its susceptibility to rot. It normally ripens up to two weeks earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon. Water stress is important to the vine with it thriving in well drained soil more so than at base of a slope.
edit Other names
* Bégney
* Bigney
* Bigney Rouge
* Crabutet
* Langon
* Médoc Noir
* Merlau
* Merle Petite
* Merlô
* Merlot Noir
* Merlott
* Odzalesi
* Petit Merle
* Plant du Médoc
* Plant Médoc
* Saint-Macaire
* Sème de la Canau
* Sème dou Flube
* Sémillon Rouge
* Semilhoun Rouge
* Vitraille
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