Merlot Flashcards
Homeland of Merlot
Bordeaux
General profile
Can be light and fruity to intense and oaked
More specific profile
Typically:
Dry
Medium acidity
Medium tannins
Often mixed with
Cabernet Sauvignon
This softens the tannins of Cab Sav and adds red fruit flavors
Bordeaux regions for Merlot
Bordeaux
Bordeaux Superieur
Division of Bordeaux region
Left Bank:
Sauternes
Medoc (Haute-Medoc)
Graves
Right Bank:
Saint Emilion
Pomerol
(these are most famous for Merlot)
Southern France region for Merlot
Languedoc Roussillon (typically labeled Pays d’Oc
USA regions for Merlot
Napa Valley and Sonoma
Chilean region for Merlot
Central Valley (soft, medium body, high volume)
South African region for Merlot
Stellenbosch (complex, intense, Bordeaux variety Merlot)
Australian region for Merlot
Margaret River (high quality usually blended with Cab Sav)
New Zealand regions for Merlot
Hawkes Bay (light and fruity to full bodied and ageable)
