{"id":1295,"date":"2018-08-30T11:00:38","date_gmt":"2018-08-30T15:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketviewliquor.com\/blog\/?p=1295"},"modified":"2023-10-06T16:27:33","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T20:27:33","slug":"guide-to-merlot-wine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketviewliquor.com\/blog\/guide-to-merlot-wine\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Merlot Wine"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

From its fruit-forward flavor to its soft and elegant body,\u00a0Merlot wine has impressed connoisseurs for centuries. Because of its diverse range of styles,\u00a0Merlot\u00a0shines as both a blending wine and a single variant.\u00a0The\u00a0comparatively lower tannin presence of\u00a0Merlot\u00a0makes it a smooth and accessible addition to any collection,\u00a0as well as a perfect option for those just beginning to drink red wines.\u00a0Merlot is an easy-to-drink red wine that can complement\u00a0a wide array of dishes.<\/p>\n

Despite its\u00a0merit\u00a0as a versatile and classic wine,\u00a0consumers recently moved away from\u00a0Merlot\u00a0due to plummeting quality\u00a0in the 1990s\u00a0and poor pop culture representation. However, devoted vintners continued to\u00a0cultivate\u00a0stellar products despite the market setback,\u00a0and Merlot slowly regained its rightful place among classic red wines.\u00a0Merlot is now\u00a0the second most-planted grape in the world<\/a>,\u00a0covering roughly 600,000 acres\u00a0across the globe in 2010.\u00a0Found in vineyards from California to France to Italy to Australia, Merlot\u00a0is definitely\u00a0a\u00a0grape you shouldn\u2019t ignore.<\/p>\n

What Is Merlot Wine Like?<\/strong><\/b><\/h2>\n

If you’ve never taken French, your first question may be, “How do you pronounce Merlot wine?” Pronounced “mur-loh” or “mair-loh,” Merlot grapes\u00a0are related to\u00a0the\u00a0French grapes cabernet franc and\u00a0a more obscure vine,\u00a0the Magdeleine Noire des Charentes<\/a>.\u00a0The Merlot grape has a deep black-blue color and a thin, delicate skin.\u00a0Its name derives from a word meaning\u00a0“little blackbird” in an older dialect related to French<\/a>, though it is uncertain\u00a0whether this refers to the color of the fruit or the birds\u2019 fondness for the grape.<\/p>\n

Because they can grow in a variety of soils and climates,\u00a0Merlot grapes grow in most wine-producing countries.\u00a0Most Merlot grapes\u00a0grow in France, but the United States has\u00a0also\u00a0become a significant presence in the Merlot world,\u00a0cultivating around 55,000 acres<\/a>.\u00a0Merlot is\u00a0the\u00a0fifth most-planted wine grape in Italy, and it\u00a0also grows in parts of Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa, Argentina, Switzerland, Bulgaria and China.<\/p>\n

\"Merlot<\/p>\n

What kind of wine is Merlot? With a velvet-red color and medium-to-full body, this fruity wine falls between\u00a0pinot noir<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Syrah wines<\/a>\u00a0in fullness and hue. Merlot has a higher alcohol percentage\u00a0\u2014\u00a0ranging from 12 to 15 percent alcohol by volume\u00a0\u2014\u00a0a result of the grape’s\u00a0naturally higher sugar levels, which lead to a higher alcohol content at the end of the winemaking process.\u00a0While Merlot is a dry wine, it is sweeter than other reds like\u00a0cabernet sauvignon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Because of Merlot’s milder flavor and lower tannin levels, winemakers often use it in blends to soften stronger red wines, especially cabernet sauvignon.\u00a0How long can you keep Merlot wine? While vineyards sometimes age Merlot in oak to increase its richness or complexity during the winemaking process, you should keep most bottles of Merlot for only\u00a0three to five years<\/a>\u00a0after purchase.<\/p>\n

Merlot, a History<\/h2>\n

Originating in the hills of the Right Bank of Bordeaux, Merlot entered the wine scene\u00a0in the late 1700s. It first earned praise as a blending wine to add softness and lushness to the favorite grape of the region,\u00a0cabernet sauvignon. This match led to the world-renowned Bordeaux blend, which has delighted wine enthusiasts for centuries.\u00a0Merlot gained popularity as a powerful blending wine and began to spread across the world.\u00a0Although it thrives in the clay and limestone soil of France, part of Merlot\u2019s success is its adaptability,\u00a0which enables it to flourish in regions across the globe.\u00a0Merlot is especially successful in Italy, where the grape is behind the best of the “super-Tuscan” wines.<\/p>\n

\"Originating<\/p>\n

Despite Merlot’s popularity in its home region, winemakers did not produce it as a single variant until the grape traveled outside France. Vintners in California began developing 100 percent Merlot varieties, due to Americans’ love of the lightness and lower tannin levels of the wine. While this led to a boom in Merlot’s production and popularity, it also led to the brief decline of Merlot in the 20th century.<\/p>\n

The Rise, Fall<\/strong><\/b>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Then Rise Again<\/strong><\/b>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0of Merlot<\/strong><\/b><\/h2>\n

Merlot arrived in California in the mid-19th<\/sup>\u00a0century, but\u00a0remained relatively obscure until the 1990s.\u00a0As the winemaking industry in California grew, vintners recognized Merlot as an easy grape to produce in large quantities. Its ability to mass produce, coupled with its milder flavor, caused Merlot to skyrocket to fame. Merlot enjoyed two decades of incredible market success.\u00a0However,\u00a0because of its fast rise, many producers were growing\u00a0the grapes\u00a0in subpar conditions and\u00a0over-irrigating the vines\u00a0to\u00a0keep up with\u00a0market demands. Rushed production led to\u00a0cheap, low-quality wine\u00a0that began to tarnish the once-loved wine’s reputation.<\/p>\n

But in 2004,\u00a0Merlot had its downfall.\u00a0The critically acclaimed film \u201cSideways\u201d premiered, featuring a protagonist who was\u00a0less than complimentary about the wine<\/a>.\u00a0Pinot noir\u00a0became the sleek, sophisticated wine of choice, leaving Merlot in its dust.<\/p>\n

The combination of poor production and bad reputation\u00a0had one positive, however \u2014 the winemakers who continued to grow Merlot\u00a0re-committed to producing\u00a0the highest quality.\u00a0This revival did not\u00a0go unnoticed, and popular opinion\u00a0about Merlot began to turn. More and more people are rediscovering the beauty of this versatile wine,\u00a0and a thinner market means you can now find good-quality Merlot at lower prices.\u00a0Merlot even has its own holiday,\u00a0International Merlot Day<\/a>,\u00a0which you can\u00a0celebrate on November 7 with a bottle of your new favorite red wine.<\/p>\n

How Is Merlot Made?<\/strong><\/b><\/h2>\n

\"Merlot<\/p>\n

To begin the winemaking process for merlot,\u00a0vintners take care to remove all stems from the grapes to decrease the tannin level\u00a0and bitterness of the wine.\u00a0Merlot grapes get fermented at\u00a082 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit<\/a>\u00a0with the skins on,\u00a0which lends the wine a rich red color. Because they have thinner skin than other red wine grapes, Merlot wine naturally has a lower tannin level.\u00a0Tannins are chemicals\u00a0predominantly in the skins, seeds and stems of grapes,\u00a0as well as\u00a0the wood where the wine ages.\u00a0Although they\u00a0do not\u00a0carry any smell or taste, tannins give wine structure and texture by introducing astringency, which\u00a0is the\u00a0sensation of dry mouth\u00a0that causes your facial muscles to tighten when you take a sip. Tannin\u00a0levels in wine\u00a0are distinct from acidity \u2014 while we experience tannins through touch\u00a0or texture, we experience acidity as a flavor.<\/p>\n

During the fermentation, many producers will push down on the skins three times a day to keep them wet. Time spent in skins varies between vintners, but an average is 14 to 21 days.\u00a0For a softer finish, producers keep the wine for fewer days on the skins.<\/p>\n

Following the fermentation process, winemakers store\u00a0Merlot\u00a0inside oak barrels\u00a0at a temperature of 26 degrees Fahrenheit, or a little below, and\u00a0typically age it\u00a0for about eight months to a year.\u00a0Aging Merlot in oak adds more tannins to the wine.<\/p>\n

Like\u00a0with any\u00a0wine, vintners can make\u00a0variations\u00a0during the process to change the flavor profile of a Merlot. The degree of aeration, force of press, time of harvest and temperature all\u00a0contribute to the unique character of each Merlot variety.\"Tannins<\/p>\n

It\u2019s All About the Fruit \u2014 Merlot\u2019s Taste Profile<\/strong><\/b><\/h2>\n

What does Merlot wine taste like? While it is a dry wine, Merlot is comparatively low in tannins. That creates a smoother, less bitter experience, and makes Merlot softer and easier to consume than many of its counterparts. The most notable flavor\u00a0and aroma of\u00a0Merlot wine is fruit. Often,\u00a0Merlot carries\u00a0raspberry\u00a0notes, as well as\u00a0black cherry, plum, blueberries and even jam.\u00a0These notes give many Merlots an aroma similar to fruitcake.\u00a0Other\u00a0common\u00a0notes\u00a0of Merlot\u00a0include graphite, cedar, tobacco, vanilla, cloves and chocolate.<\/p>\n

However,\u00a0depending on the climate where the grapes grow, Merlot wines\u00a0can have a diverse array of flavors. Merlot grapes fall into two different growing climates\u00a0\u2014\u00a0cool and hot.\u00a0In the world of wine, these terms are more subjective. Old World producers consider 60 degrees Fahrenheit to be “warm,” but the same temperature is “cool” for many New World vineyards. Below are some general differences between Merlot grown in cool and warm climates.<\/p>\n

1. Cool-Climate Merlot<\/strong><\/b><\/h4>\n

Cool-climate varieties are the classic Merlot. From the hills of France, Italy and Chile,\u00a0these strains feature\u00a0heavy, earthy flavors like tobacco and tar. Because of their higher concentration of tannins, it’s easy to confuse these Merlots with cabernet sauvignon, their regional counterpart.<\/p>\n

Cool-climate Merlots contribute to the famed Right Bank\u00a0Bordeaux blends<\/a>, along with vintage strains such as St. Emilion, Pomerol and Fronsac.<\/p>\n

2. Warm-Climate Merlot<\/strong><\/b><\/h4>\n

Warm-climate Merlots heavily feature fruit\u00a0notes and a lighter body. Grown in the sun-filled valleys of California, Australia and Argentina, these wines have a lower tannin presence and a softer finish. Classic warm-climate Merlots come from California\u2019s Paso Robles and Napa Valley.<\/p>\n

For warm-climate Merlots, vintners sometimes prefer an oak-aging process of up to 24 months, which gives the\u00a0delicate\u00a0wine more structure.<\/p>\n

Types of Merlot\u00a0Around the Globe<\/strong><\/b><\/h2>\n

Every province where Merlot grapes thrive produces slightly different characteristics in the wine.\u00a0Below are the top-producing Merlot regions, and descriptions of what makes them unique.<\/p>\n

1. Bordeaux<\/strong><\/b><\/h4>\n

The birthplace of the grape, Bordeaux, France, is home of the most iconic Merlots. Merlot remains the\u00a0most commonly planted grape along the river<\/a>, especially on the Right Bank. Bordeaux Merlots have prominent\u00a0earth and mineral\u00a0tones,\u00a0depending on the soil they grow in. Bordeaux vineyards with limestone-rich soil tend to produce Merlots with fresh mineral notes, while clay soil produces broader, more robust flavors.\u00a0Bordeaux Merlots can be unoaked or stored in new French oak.\u00a0Many of the region’s grapes go into value-driven blended wines. However, some, such as Ch\u00e2teau P\u00e9trus, develop over decades.<\/p>\n

\"Bordeaux<\/p>\n

For a Bordeaux Merlot blend, try the\u00a0Chateau Saint-Sulpice Bordeaux<\/a>. Made with 70 percent Merlot, 20 percent cabernet sauvignon<\/a> and 10 percent cabernet Franc, this wine features black cherry, spice and plum notes, and is best after airing for about an hour.<\/p>\n

2. Tuscany<\/strong><\/b><\/h4>\n

Under the warm sun of central Italy,\u00a0Merlot grapes from Tuscany\u00a0tend to be slightly larger, which some vintners say lessens harsh tannins. Tuscany Merlots are famous and expensive, and can feature the Merlot grape on its own or blended with Bordeaux or local varieties.\u00a0The Merlot grapes that grow in Tuscany\u00a0often contribute to\u00a0blends known as the “super-Tuscans,” such as\u00a0Toscana IGT or Bolgheri DOC.\u00a0Tuscany Merlots range from oak-forward, broad profiles to earthy, subtle\u00a0flavors.<\/p>\n

3. Friuli-Venezia Giulia<\/strong><\/b><\/h4>\n

In the northeastern part of Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is most famous for its indigenous white grapes, but Merlot is the\u00a0most-planted\u00a0red grape in the region. Like their central Italian cousins, these Merlot grapes can be blended or grown as a single varietal. Some small wineries produce expensive cool-climate\u00a0Merlots, which burst with anise, spice and stone notes.<\/p>\n

4. California<\/strong><\/b><\/h4>\n

Merlot grapes are the second-most popular grape in this sunny state known for its vineyards. California Merlots\u00a0range from sweet grocery store varieties to high-end, nuanced masterpieces.\u00a0As the best-known wine regions in the state, Paso Robles and Napa Valley\u00a0produce delectable Merlots\u00a0characterized by a smooth, jammy fruit profile, along with hints of vanilla, sweet spice and new oak.<\/p>\n

\"Merlots<\/p>\n

If you are interested in a classic California Merlot, try the consumer-favorite\u00a0Marilyn Merlot<\/a>, which offers flavors of blueberries and vanilla.<\/p>\n

5. Washington<\/strong><\/b><\/h4>\n

Washington’s interest in Merlot\u00a0sparked\u00a0around the same time as California’s, but the Evergreen State kept at it after the Golden State turned away. Producers combined the versatility of Merlot with their signature tradition of medium-bodied wines. Washington vintners blend\u00a0the best of the New World and the Old, giving their Merlots lush flavors of cherry and other berries.\u00a0Washington Merlots tend to feature greater acidity and tannic bite. The Columbia Valley produces the highest quantity of Merlots, but\u00a0other regions producing excellent Merlots include\u00a0Horse Heaven Hills, Walla Walla Valley and Red Mountain.<\/p>\n

Consider the\u00a0Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot<\/a>\u00a0as a starting point. This aromatic wine has smooth notes of coffee, plum and dark chocolate.<\/p>\n

6. Chile<\/strong><\/b><\/h4>\n

Historically, Chilean reds have\u00a0been cabernet sauvignon or carm\u00e9n\u00e8re-based\u00a0wines, but Merlot is quickly gaining ground in this\u00a0coastal South American country. For a few decades during the late 20th\u00a0century,\u00a0Chilean\u00a0vineyards sold and marketed wine with\u00a0incorrectly\u00a0identified carm\u00e9n\u00e8re grapes\u00a0as Merlot. Producers\u00a0have since caught\u00a0the mistake and imported genuine Merlot cuttings, and vineyards have been thriving ever since.\u00a0Chilean Merlots are typically powerful and fruit-driven. High-end, excellent quality Merlots come from the Apalta region of Colchagua Valley. These wines are comparable to the fruity, bold California\u00a0varieties.<\/p>\n

\"Chilean<\/p>\n

7. Australia<\/strong><\/b><\/h4>\n

The first Merlot-growing vineyards\u00a0in Australia\u00a0didn’t\u00a0register until the 1980s, so the country is still a new producer. However, the\u00a0production of Merlot\u00a0has expanded enormously in the past 30 years, and Australian vineyards are now impossible to ignore.\u00a0Australian producers are still determining the best\u00a0regions\u00a0for\u00a0growing\u00a0Merlot grapes, but dependable regions include McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Coonawarra and along the Margaret River. It’s easy to identify Australian variants by their powerful fruit overtones and woody flavors.<\/p>\n

Begin with an\u00a0Oxford Landing Merlot<\/a>\u00a0for a bouquet of blueberry, plum and red currants, along with slight cedar, oak and spice undertones. Look for soft tannins and a rich finish in this lovely Merlot.<\/p>\n

How to Serve Merlot Wine<\/h2>\n

Because of their lower acidity and pleasant fruity sweetness, Merlots\u00a0pair excellently with many foods.\u00a0Unlike heavier red wines that often pair best with red meat, Merlot can be an excellent choice for poultry and pasta dishes. However, different Merlots pair better with different foods, so\u00a0we’ve grouped\u00a0our Merlot pairing recommendations\u00a0into three broad categories: light-bodied, medium-bodied and\u00a0heavier-bodied blends.<\/p>\n