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Wine 101 The Fascinating Merlot
Merlot: A Grape with Global Appeal
Merlot, a luscious and versatile red grape variety, has traversed the globe, gaining acclaim for its role in the opulent blends of Bordeaux. Its characteristics, influenced by climate, soil, and winemaking techniques, yield dry wines with notes of red and black fruits, gentle tannins, and a medium to medium-high body and acidity.
Merlot In 60 Seconds
- In Bordeaux, Merlot crafts some of the world’s most expensive and sought-after wines.
- Merlot thrives globally, from the United States to Italy, Chile, South Africa, Australia, and China, with Bordeaux remaining its celebrated homeland.
- Known as a workhorse grape, Merlot’s chameleon-like versatility adapts to various styles based on its cultivation location.
- Following Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot holds the position of the second most popular red wine in America.
- Merlot ages gracefully, capable of maturing for decades.
- With moderate tannins and a velvety texture, Merlot complements a wide array of foods and cuisines.
Unraveling the History of Merlot
Merlot originated from a cross-pollination between Cabernet Franc and Madeleine Noire des Charentes in Bordeaux during the late 1700s. The grape’s popularity soared, becoming a staple in the region, named after the local blackbird species, “merlau.” In California, Merlot gained traction in the 1990s, but the “Sideways Effect” in 2004 temporarily dented its reputation.
What Does Merlot Taste Like?
Often compared to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot offers a softer, gentler option with lower tannins and acidity. Tasting notes include black cherries, blackberries, plums, cocoa, and violets. Warmer climates produce juicier, fruity notes, while cooler climates impart grippy tannins and herbaceous, peppery nuances.
The World’s Best Regions for Growing Merlot
In Bordeaux, Merlot thrives in the clay and limestone soils of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol on the Right Bank, and in blends on the Left Bank. Beyond France, Merlot finds success in Italy, California’s Napa and Sonoma Valley, Washington, and New York’s Finger Lakes and North Fork region.
Famous Blends That Include Merlot
Numerous Bordeaux châteaux incorporate Merlot, and two of the world’s costliest wines, Château Pétrus and Château Le Pin, are crafted entirely from Merlot.
How to Pair Merlot With Food
Merlot’s soft tannins and fruitiness make it versatile for pairing. It complements lighter meats, hamburgers, duck, pork with sweet sauces, and tomato-based pasta dishes. For Bordeaux-style wines, consider steak frites, grilled lamb, hearty stews, and roasted vegetables.
Merlot on the Vine
When Merlot arrived in California in the mid-nineteenth century, winemakers began producing wines exclusively with 100% Merlot.
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Merlot thrives in diverse regions worldwide, from Bordeaux’s prestigious vineyards to California’s sun-drenched valleys. Explore its rich history, diverse flavors, and discover the perfect bottle for your next dining experience.
10 Facts About Merlot
- Originated in Bordeaux in the late 1700s.
- Named after the local blackbird species “merlau.”
- Cross-pollination between Cabernet Franc and Madeleine Noire des Charentes.
- Became a staple grape in Bordeaux blends.
- Gained popularity in California in the 1990s.
- Experienced a temporary setback in 2004 due to the “Sideways Effect.”
- Second most popular red wine in America after Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Capable of aging for decades.
- Known for its soft tannins and velvety texture.
- Versatile in food pairings, complementing a range of dishes.
Interesting ones to try
2019 Bouchaine Hyde Vineyard Merlot Carneros – Napa Valley
- The legendary Hyde Vineyard unveils a brilliantly structured Merlot
- Ripe tannins dominate, yet irresistibly approachable in its early evolution
- Sarsaparilla, cola spice, and cigar humidor dance with black licorice
- Layers of plum sauce, blackberries, cassis, and black raspberries unfold
- Scrubby herbs emerge with perky acidity, keeping the experience lively
- Immerse yourself in the world of wine with Hyde Vineyard’s masterpiece
- Elevate your tasting experience with this captivating Merlot
2019 Chappellet Merlot Napa Valley
- Inky richness, bursting with toasty cacao, espresso, and grilled vanilla
- Silky mouthfeel framed by sweet, integrating tannins
- Spiced plums, cassis, and bright acidity lingering through a blueberry-kissed finish
2019 Cuvaison Arcilla Merlot Los Carneros – Napa Valley
- Pure evocation of strawberries with evolving tea-like tannins
- Flavors of blackberry, black raspberry, and smashed blueberry
- Notably savory with hints of carob, mineral, black licorice, and plum sauce layers
2019 Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley
- A beautiful expression with sweet tannins and well-integrated oak spicing
- Hoisin sauce, cassis, violets, and candied orange peels
- Sandalwood, floral peppercorns, espresso beans, warm vanilla, and loam
2019 L’Ecole No. 41 Merlot Walla Walla Valley, Washington
- Estate-grown brilliance structured for mid-term aging
- Ripe red berry fruit and cherries finding counterpoints in dusty tannins and carob
- Minerality pulsing through each sip, delivering a brilliant wine experience
2019 La Jota Vineyard Co. Howell Mountain Estate Merlot Napa Valley
- A classic effort from winemaker Chris Carpenter with astounding mountain-grown grapes
- Age-worthy tannins allowing notes of licorice, granite, cacao nibs, and well-steeped tea to shine
- Cardamom and violets lingering through the long, elegant finish
2020 Macari Vineyards Merlot North Fork of Long Island
- A spicy and fascinating expression, dominated by crushed peppercorns
- Remarkably translucent, revealing red cherries, raspberries, and toasted fennel seeds with oak spice
2018 Meeker Winemakers’ Handprint Collection Merlot Sonoma County
- Lifted and well-delineated, expressive of black raspberries, ripe cherries, and goji berries
- Loamy earthiness, sarsaparilla-dusted tannins, and a bay-leaf note creating an intriguing wine experience
- Elegant yet powerful, structured for cellaring or enjoying now with grilled meat
2019 Mt. Brave Merlot Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley
- Toasty, rich, and brooding, a wine rewarding patience
- Notes of blackberry liqueur, kirsch, cassis, purple plums, and cardamom promising complexity
- Impressive balance and structure with graphite-like tannins and singed laurel nuances
2019 Northstar Premier Merlot Columbia Valley, Washington
- Velvety texture, ripe with a counterbalancing punch of acidity
- Crushed blackberries and mulberries, vanilla, clove, and toasty oak through the finish
- A stellar example of what the wine variety does best in the Columbia Valley
2019 PlumpJack Estate Winery Merlot Napa Valley
- A toasty, modern, crowd-pleasing beauty with rich, chocolatey notes
- Plums, blackberries, and cassis lifted by candied violets
- Aging potential of five to seven years, but delightful fruitiness makes it enjoyable now
2019 Ridge Vineyards Estate Merlot Santa Cruz Mountains
- Shining with the character of the venerable Monte Bello Vineyard
- Cedar, incense, brambly berries, elegant balance, and beautifully calibrated acidity
- Promising another ten to fifteen years of life ahead
2019 Rutherford Hill Winery Merlot Napa Valley
- Silky and herbaceous, less fruit-forward than typical Napa Merlot
- Layers of black and red raspberries, cherries, and chocolate with lively mineral finish
- A solid value delivering a unique wine experience for less than $30
2019 Seavey Merlot Napa Valley
- Estate-grown Merlot marked by toasty oak, cafe mocha notes, and woodsy spices
- Silky tannins, density, and underlying pulse of minerality providing real energy
- A captivating wine experience with impressive aging potential
2020 Seven Hills Winery Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Walla Walla Valley, Washington
- Fruit-forward Merlot from a vineyard planted in the early-1980s
- Underlying bergamot note with nuances of sage, oregano, and cracked peppercorns
- Sweet tannins lingering through flavors of red and purple plums and huckleberries
2018 St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery Rutherford Estate Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley
- Rich, chocolatey aromas of hoisin sauce and spiced blackberry liqueur
- Balanced acidity with minerality, hint of dried herbs, and fantastic kirsch finish
2019 Vérité La Muse
- One of the most intriguing and appealing new-release Merlots
- A balance of perfume and depth with red currants, raspberries, cherries, plums, graphite, and hints of tobacco and sandalwood
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