Wine Grape: Merlot
Merlot is probably the most planted red wine grape variety in the world. It is by far the most cultivated variety in Bordeaux, especially on the Right Bank. Cabernet Franc is likely one of its parents, which makes it a relative of Cabernet Sauvignon too. It is often blended with these two relatives, adding roundness to the blend, and ripening a full week ahead of Cabernet Sauvignon. Much of what was planted as Merlot in Chile turned out to be Carmenère. The first recorded mention of Merlot is by Victor Rendu in 1857 as part of the Médoc blends.
'Merlot Blanc' is a white grape that is unrelated to red Merlot. While hunting in 1891, the owner of a château on Bordeaux's Right Bank found the vines and named them 'Merlot Blanc' because the leaves resembled those of Merlot. Later, cuttings were also used in Blaye, Bourg, and Graves. However, the wine 'White Merlot' is made from red Merlot, much the same way 'White Zinfandel' is made from Zinfandel.
Synonyms
Also known as Bégney, Bigney,Galot, Merlò, Merlot Noir, Merlau, Merlan, Sémillon Rouge
Where
Chile: Maipo, Aconcagua, Colchagua, Curicó
Italy: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Tuscany, Veneto
USA: California, New York, Washington
Also: Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Hungary, New Zealand, Romania, South Africa, Switzerland
Principal Wines
France: Bordeaux: Blaye AOC, Bordeaux AOC, Bordeaux Supérieur AOC, Bordeaux Clairet AOC, Bordeaux Rosé AOC, Bordeaux-Côtes-de-Francs AOC, Canon-Fronsac AOC, Côtes-de-Bourg AOC, Côtes-de-Castillon AOC, Fronsac AOC, Graves AOC, Graves-de-Vayres AOC, Haut-Médoc AOC, Lalande-de-Pomerol AOC, Listrac-Médoc AOC, Lussac-Saint-Emilion AOC, Margaux AOC, Médoc AOC, Montagne-Saint-Emilion AOC, Moulis-en-Médoc AOC, Pauillac AOC, Pessac-Léognan AOC, Pomerol AOC, Premières-Côtes-de-Bordeaux AOC, Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion AOC, Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux AOC, Saint-Emilion AOC, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC, Saint-Estèphe AOC, Saint-Georges-Saint-Emilion AOC, Saint-Julien AOC; Languedoc: Côtes-de-la-Malepère AOC, Limoux AOC; Poitou-Charentes: Pineau-des-Charentes AOC; Soutwestern France: Bergerac AOC, Buzet AOC, Cabardès AOC, Cahors AOC, Côtes-de-Bergerac AOC, Côtes-de-Duras AOC, Côtes-du-Marmandais AOC, Floc-de-Gascogne AOC, Gaillac AOC, Marcillac AOC, Pécharmant AOC
Italy: Emilia-Romagna: Colli di Parma DOC, Colli Bolognesi DOC, Bosco Eliceo DOC; Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC, Collio Goriziano or Collio DOC, Friuli-Isonzo or Isonzo del Friuli DOC, Friuli-Annia DOC, Friuli-Aquileia DOC, Friuli-Latisana DOC, Friuli-Grave DOC, Carso DOC; Trentino-Alto Adige: Trentino DOC, Alto Adige or Dell'Alto Adige/Südtirol or Südtiroler DOC; Tuscany: Colline Lucchesi DOC, Val di Cornia DOC, Cortona DOC, San Gimignano, Sant'Antimo DOC, Sovana DOC, Super Tuscan IGTs; Veneto: Colli Euganei DOC, Bagnoli di Sopra or Bagnoli DOC, Merlara DOC, Arcole DOC, Colli Berici DOC, Vicenza DOC, Montello e Colli Asolani DOC, Piave or Vini del Piave DOC, Lison-Pramaggiore DOC
Characteristics
Color: Dark ruby red
Nose: Fruity (strawberry, cherry, raspberry, blackcurrant, prune), Spicy (cinnamon, clove, licorice) Vegetal (green pepper, olive, tobacco), Toasted (chocolate, coffee)
Palate: Supple. Medium to Full Bodied. Soft tannins.
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