Merlot

Question 1

Characteristics

Answer 1

• Dry
• Medium acidity
• Medium tannins
• Can develop notes of dried fruit and tobacco

Just-ripe
* Light to medium body
* Red fruit flavours (strawberry, red plum)
* Herbaceous notes (green bell pepper/capsicum)

Riper
* Medium to full body
* Cooked black fruit flabours (blackberry, black plum)

Question 2

Terroir

Answer 2

Moderate and warm climate

Question 3

Winemaking

Answer 3

• Often blended with higher tannin varieties such as Carbernet Sauvignon where Merlot adds red fruit flavours and lowers the tannin
• Fuller body Merlot may need extended barrel maturation

Question 4

France

Regions

Answer 4

Bordeaux
* Wine labelled Bordeaux AOC or Bordeaux Supérieur AOC are Merlot-dominated blends

Left Bank (Graves, Sauterns)
* Médoc AOC
* Haut-Médoc AOC
* Margaux AOC
* Pauillac AOC
* Graves AOC
* Pessac-Léognan AOC - High quality

Right Bank (Saint-Émillon, Pomerol)
* The most famous Merlots come from Saint-Émillon AOC and Pomerol AOC
* Saint-Émillon Grand Cru AOC
* Full body
* Pronouced aroams of black fruits and flavours from oak maturation
* Can develop complex aromas of drid fruit and tobacco

South of France
Merlot blends with Carbernent Sauvignon, Grenache, and Syrah

Question 5

USA

Regions

Answer 5

California
* Pronouced flavours from oak (vanilla, coconut, smoke)
* High-volume producers use oak chips or staves
* Napa Valley
* Sonoma

Question 6

Chile

Regions

Answer 6

Central Valley
* Warm and dry climate
* Soft and medium-bodied Merlot

Question 7

South Africa

Regions

Answer 7

Stellenbosch
* Age-worthy
* Moderate to warm climate

Question 8

Australia

Regions

Answer 8

Merlot is used to blended with Cabernet Sauvignon in Margaret River region

Question 9

New Zealand

Regions

Answer 9

Hawke’s Bay
* Moderate climate with rainfall
* Light and fruity
* Full body
* Long lived Merlot