Chapter 14 Merlot

Question 1

What are the main characteristics of Merlot?

Answer 1

Merlot is a black grape variety which grows in moderate to warm climates. Typically a dry wine with medium acidity and medium tannins. Primary characteristics vary in accordance with ripeness. Just ripe grapes produce light to medium bodied wines with red fruit flavours and herbaceous notes (green pepper). Riper grapes produce medium or full bodied wines with cooked black fruit flavours.

Merlot can be outstanding as a single varietal but is often blended with higher tannin varieties such as CS. Merlot adds red fruit flavours to the blends and can lower tannin levels making them ready to drink at an earlier stage. Oaked and unoaked styles are made. Best Merlot dominated wines can age and develop notes of dried fruit and tobacco over time.

France:
Bordeaux AOC or Bordeaux Superieur AOC are typically Merlot dominated blends. Most famous Merlot dominated wines come from Saint Emilion AOC and Pomerol AOC on the right bank. Outstanding quality wines from both appellations are full bodied with pronounced aromas of black fruit and flavour from oak maturation. They can develop tertiary flavours of dried fruit and tobacco. Also planted in South of France.

USA:
California can produce Merlot across all styles and quality levels. Oak is a common feature.

Chile:
Central Valley source of soft medium bodied Merlot. Altitude can allow for fresher styles.

South Africa:
Stellanbosch has a strong reputation for complex age worthy red wines from classic Bordeaux varieties.

Australia:
Merlot often used as part of a blend with CS in a number of high quality wines from Margaret River.

New Zealand:
Hawkes Bay……light and fruity through to full bodied and long lived. Can be found as a single varietal or as a blend with CS.