Grape varieties: Merlot
Merlot has a reputation for being a bit…well, boring. It is known in wine circles as the medium grape. And a lot of merlots were produced historically which frankly were poor quality. But is it worth you trying it now? Well, despite its lack lustre reputation, merlot can in fact make some stunning and elegant wines, deserving of serious attention. And some of the great Saint-Emillion and other Bordeaux wines include Merlot in their blends.
About the grape
The Merlot grape is a dark blue, thin skinned grape which matures early and can ripen even in slightly cooler climates. Despite prolific growth in fertile soil, it is somewhat susceptible to rot, which makes it a little more challenging to grow than people assume. The grape is naturally lower in tannin than other red grapes, and tends towards moderate acidity. In may ways it is similar to Chardonnay in that it can be a wine which benefits from wine making processes, rather than its inherent flavours.
Profile
As has already been said, Merlot tends toward being a medium grape. There has been an assumption medium is the same as mediocrity, but that is not necessarily the case. Where yields are managed carefully, better quality wines can be produced. Typically Merlot displays:
- Medium Acidity
- Is usually dry in style
- Has medium to high alcohol
- Is medium bodied
- Has medium tannins
Typical aromas and flavours include: red berries, plums, cherries, currants, chocolate, dried herbs, and vanilla . Wines are generally fruit forward and famous for being smooth, velvety and easy drinking. It becomes meaty and takes on tobacco aromas with age. High quality wines can age 20+ years.
A good value wine
Because Merlot has a reputation for being a bit easy drinking and unsophisticated, the good news is it is usually available at more accessible prices. New World versions may be particularly affordable. And even Bordeaux produced Merlots are available at significantly less than other varietals from the region.
Production
France is the main player in the Merlot production world, much of it for blending. Italy also produce quite a bit of Merlot. Examples from Spain or the United States are also quite popular as well as from Eastern Europe and South America.
So have I convinced you that Merlot is less meh-lo and worth seeking out? Or do you prefer your Merlot in a blend where its medium nature is complimented by other varieties? I’d love to hear your experiences – why not drop me a line? In the meantime, keep exploring this beautiful planet we live on, one glass at a time!