Grape of the Week
🐦 Merlot
⚡️ TL:DR: Merlot has over 600,000 planted acres world wide, and the 2nd most planted wine grape after Cab Sauv! It’s the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux, and top 5 in Italy where it’s known to contribute to the Super Tuscan blends.
🗣 Pronounced: “mer-low”
🌈 Color: Red.
🍇 What is it? A widely planted red grape, commonly blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. The name Merlot is derived from the French term 'merle', or ‘blackbird.
Merlot’s a chameleon. It changes drastically depending on where it’s grown but you can count on this varietal always being fruit forward with a luscious profile of mostly blue fruit - plum and blueberry, with some black fruit (blackberry, black cherry), and if Merlot is very ripe then expect dried fruit notes such as figs, or fruitcake. Merlot too can be floral - violets and lavender. There can be herbal aromas of tomato leaf, mint and fresh herbs, mixed with licorice and pepper. Merlot is generally medium to full bodied with firm tannins.
Single varietal Merlot is more commonly found in the ‘new world’ such as USA, Chile and Australia! In its home of Bordeaux region of France, Merlot is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are the dominant varieties in ‘Bordeaux style’ blends. They make perfect dance partners - Merlot with its noticeably lower tannin and acidity, is more fruit forward, and luscious in feel, providing mid-palate fruit to counter balance the tannic frame of Cabernet.
📍Place of Origin: Bordeaux
🌎 Today's Major Countries of Production: France, Spain, Italy, USA, Chile, Australia
🍕 Pairing Tip: Grilled Meat - anything on the BBQ . Softer styles can work with poached salmon or mushrooms with radicchio.
🤔 Fun Fact: many believe the sudden of Merlot sales in the 2000’s was due to a line in the cult wine film “Sideways”. Paul Giamatti said, “No, if anyone orders merlot, I'm leaving. I am NOT drinking any f****** merlot!". Paul, we know you were in character, but let’s give merlot a chance!