Merlot

Where does the Merlot grape variety come from?

It is only logical that the red Merlot grape comes from Bordeaux. After all, some of the greatest Merlot icons in the world come from here. Whereby the grape variety is also often flanked by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Incidentally, the grape was first mentioned in the 14th century. At that time, however, it was still called ‘Crabatut Noir’. The current name ‘Merlot’ is derived from the French word ‘merle’ (blackbird). How the name Merlot came about in 1748 can only be guessed at today. Two explanations are available. On the one hand, birds are said to have had a preference for the early-ripening grapes even then. On the other hand, blackbirds have a similar plumage colour to Merlot berries.

Incidentally, Merlot is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire des Charentes – a grape variety that is now almost extinct. In the 19th century, Merlot dominated the vineyards of the Médoc in Bordeaux in particular.

Merlot worldwide

From France, Merlot initially spread within Europe. In Italy, the grape variety has been cultivated since 1855, mainly in Veneto and a century later in Tuscany, where it is used in the famous ‘Supertuscans’. In the Swiss canton of Ticino, cultivation began between 1905 and 1910, where Merlot is now the main grape variety.

With the phylloxera plague in the 19th century, Merlot found its way overseas. In Argentina and Chile, it became part of quality offensives with European noble vines, which established its popularity in South America. In the 20th century, Merlot gained in importance in the United States, particularly in California, where it is now widely cultivated. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa also recognised the potential of the grape variety and successfully established it in their wine-producing regions.

Today, Merlot is the second most widely grown red wine variety after Cabernet Sauvignon, with a global cultivation area of around 270,000 hectares. France remains the most important wine-producing country, with around 115,000 hectares, followed by Italy, the USA, Spain, Australia and Chile.

What does Merlot taste like?

Generally speaking, Merlot wines are real seducers with their hints of plums, cherries and berries. Depending on how they are aged, they can also develop notes of chocolate, vanilla or coconut. Young Merlots are usually fruit-forward and uncomplicated, while older examples develop more complex aromas. When aged, a delicate truffle note usually comes into play.

When vinified as a single variety, Merlot has a medium to full-bodied flavour with velvety tannins and a balanced acidity. These characteristics make it an accessible wine for beginners and a favourite among connoisseurs. The ideal drinking temperature for Merlot is between 15 and 18 °C.

What are the ideal growing conditions for Merlot?

There is a good reason why Merlot vines can be found almost everywhere in the world. This is because the grape variety is very adaptable and not particularly choosy when it comes to soil and climate. However, it should not be too cold or too hot. Merlot feels most at home in temperate to warm climates.

In addition, there should be sufficient rainfall in the region. This is because Merlot tends to suffer from drought stress. Accordingly, conditions that are too hot or too dry can lead to unbalanced wines. For precisely this reason, the grape variety prefers deep, water-retentive soils such as clay or loam.

Which growing regions are known for Merlot?

Of course, Merlot is a big star in France, especially in Bordeaux. But where exactly in Bordeaux? It cannot be denied that the grape variety also produces great wines in other countries. So let's take a trip around the world and look at the Merlot hotspots together.

• France: Merlot's epicentre. France, and Bordeaux in particular, is and remains the most important growing area for Merlot. In Bordeaux, Merlot is mainly grown on the right bank in appellations such as Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. Here, Merlot is often the dominant grape variety in the cuvées. The clay soils in these appellations provide ideal conditions for Merlot, as they store water well and help the grapes to ripen evenly even in dry years. Merlot gives Bordeaux wines soft tannins, fruity aromas and an elegant structure, making them more accessible than the tannin-rich wines from the Médoc on the Left Bank, where Cabernet Sauvignon dominates.
• Italy: elegant Super Tuscans. In Italy, Merlot has also come to play an important role, particularly in Tuscany, where it is often blended with Sangiovese or Cabernet Sauvignon to create the so-called Super Tuscans. These wines are known for their elegance and complexity. In Veneto, Merlot is also vinified as a single variety, producing fruity, accessible red wines.
• USA: fruit-forward wines from California. In the United States, particularly in California, Merlot is one of the most popular red wine varieties. The warm climate in Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley produces full-bodied, fruit-forward wines with aromas of dark fruits such as blackberries and plums. In the 1980s and 1990s, Merlot experienced a boom in the United States, but was temporarily discredited by overproduction. Today, many winemakers are once again focusing on quality and producing outstanding single-varietal Merlots and cuvées.
• Chile: Freshness and structure. Chile has established itself as one of the best growing areas for Merlot outside Europe. The cool nights and warm days in the Central Valley or Colchagua Valley create ideal conditions for the grape variety. Chilean Merlots are characterised by fresh acidity, soft tannins and aromas of red fruits. They are often vinified as a single variety, which distinguishes them from the classic Bordeaux cuvées.
• Australia: full-bodied wines with ripe fruit notes. In Australia, the Margaret River region is something of an epicentre for Merlot. The warm climate produces full-bodied wines with ripe fruit notes such as plums and black cherries. Australian Merlots are often more powerful than their European counterparts.
• Switzerland: elegance from Ticino. In Switzerland, Ticino is the main growing area for Merlot, where around 80% of Switzerland's Merlot-growing area is dedicated to this grape variety. Due to the Mediterranean climate, elegant red wines are produced here, as well as the well-known ‘Bianco di Merlot’, for which the Merlot grapes are pressed like a white wine. In other words, it is a Blanc de Noir.

What food goes well with Merlot?

Red meat and Merlot are an almost divine combination. And in all variations. A juicy steak goes just as well with it as a classic roast beef. Not to forget that lamb dishes and Merlot are also a perfect match. On the one hand, the velvety Merlot tannins harmonise very well with roasted, grilled or braised red meat, while on the other hand, the fruity notes enhance the inherent flavour of the meat.

If you fancy a game dish, we recommend a mature Merlot, which has the right earthy and spicy notes. Merlot also goes well with everyday dishes such as pasta with tomato sauce or Bolognese. Just give it a try!

Three fun facts about Merlot

• Due to the film ‘Sideways’, Merlot sales in the USA fell significantly in 2004 because the main character Miles didn't like the grape.
• In Chile, Carménère was mistaken for Merlot for a long time. Only a DNA analysis clarified the error.
• You might think that Merlot is one of the few grape varieties that are called the same all over the world. Nevertheless, the grape has over 60 synonyms. For example, Bini, Plant du Médoc or Seme Dou Flube.