Merlot History

Merlot was first mentioned in 1784 by a Bordeaux officer.

It was long considered a secondary grape (only for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon).

In February 1956, a deep freeze hits France, and most of the Merlot and Malbec vinyards were destroyed.

After the frost comes a rot disease and a "Planting Ban" from the French governement.

In 1975 the ban was lifted and planting of new vines started again.

An increased demand for Merlot started a planting boom in the 1980s.

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Merlot Terroir

Bad soil means higher quality grapes!

It sounds like a paradox but in poor soils the roots must work harder, branching off to find nutrients. This increases the root to soil surface.

Merlot loves sand and gravel mixed with iron rich clay. The sand provides nutrients while the stones absorb the heat, help ripening and draining. The special mix of sand, gravel and iron is known as "crasse de fer".

The best regions in the world is Saint Émilion and Pomerol region on the Right Bank of Garonne river, in Bordeaux.

Merlot Styles

Merlot's soft, berry-like style, accompanied by moderate acidity and tannin, has made the grape popular.

While Cabernet Sauvignon is hard and unobtrusive, Merlot is open and accessible.

Merlot is often mixed with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, primarily to fill in the slightly lean, dry character of the Cabernets.

Merlot is easily one-dimensional on its own, and should be enjoyed for its succulent, drink-friendly style.

The best Merlots are berry-like, full-bodied wines with the scent of anise and an earthy, herbal-like undertone.

Merlot is thus generally soft, juicy and berry-like as a young, and it goes towards the earth with a touch of humus and vegetal spices as ripe, but the wine never becomes aggressive and dry.

Synonyms: Begney, Seme dou Flube, Bigney Rouge, Crabutet, Merlau, Medoc Noir, Langon, Merle Petite, Semillon Rouge, Plant du Medoc, Plant Medoc, Vitraille, Saint-Macaire, Seme de la Cana.

Chateau: Petrus (Pomerol Right Bank), 100% Merlot, is one of the most expensive wines in the world.

Merlot in Australia

Merlot is the third largest grape variety grown in Australia for wines.

Best known areas / regions:

Margaret River (Western Australia)
Coonawarra (South Australia)
McLaren Vale (South Australia)
Barossa Valley (South Australia)

Instead of arriving from the traditional heartland of Merlot in Bordeaux, Australia’s first plantings were sourced in 1965 from UC Davis in California.

It loves particularly warm and irrigated regions such Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Wrattonbully. Recently also Coonawarra, Murray Darling basin, Riverland, Riverina and Margaret River.

After a difficult start in Australia, Merlot is icreasing in popularity: it is round and soft like a mouthfull of black berries and plums.

Merlot in New Zealand

Best known areas / regions:

Hawke's Bay
Auckland
Waiheke Island

Most of New Zealand's Merlot wines come from the Hawke's Bay region where it produces outstanding wines (the best value red wine of the country).

Merlot is also well made in Auckland and Waiheke Island, where it produces riper and full bodied red wines, as some of the most prestigious Bordeaux blends.

Map credit: New Zealand Winegrowers

Merlot in France

The best Merlots comes from France.

Merlot is the most planted grape in Bordeaux where it was born.

Best known areas / regions:

Pomerol
Saint Émilion

The best Merlots are produced in Pomerol in Bordeaux, where the soil makes wines with more flavor and complexity than usual. The neighboring area of Saint Émilion uses more Cabernet Franc in the mix, and lighter wines are made here than in Pomerol.

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Merlot in Italy

Best known areas / regions:

Alto-Adige
Friuli
Veneto
Toscana

Merlot is the fifth most widely planted grape variety in Italy.

It is commonly found in the north of Italy, in the regions of Alto-Adige, Friuli, and Veneto, where the Merlots are juicy, soft and pleasant with fresh acidity.

In Tuscany it is a part of the "Super Tuscan" blend.

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Merlot in Austria

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are becoming increasingly favoured in the red wine scene in Austria. Merlot officially became an approved Quality wine variety in 1986. It is primarily grown in Burgenland.

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Merlot in USA

Merlot is an important grape in California where the weather makes the grapes ripen fully.

Best known areas / regions:

Napa Valley
Sonoma

Miles in the movie "Sideways" did not like Merlot, but many other Americans do, since it is the second most planted grape in USA and it is vinified both blended with Cabernet Sauvignon (called Bordeaux Blend) or 100% Merlot grapes.

Americans love Merlot because it is soft on tannins, fruity and easy to drink with or without food. But, above all, it pairs well with American Cuisine and generally with umami, savory food. It can even pair with fish!

Merlot in South Africa

Best known areas / regions:

Stellenbosch

Most of South Africa's Merlot wines come from the Stellenbosch region where it has developed a reputation for outstanding classic Bordeaux style wines.

Merlot in Chile

Best known areas / regions:

Colchagua Valley
Central Valley

The Central Valley region of Chile is known to produce high volumes of soft, medium body Merlot for immediate consuption.

The best Merlot wines in Chile grows in the Apalta sub-region of the Colchagua wine region.

Merlot in Argentina

Argentine terroirs have great potential.

Best known areas / regions:

Uco Valley
Patagonia

Merlot is a new entry in Argentina but has great potential, especially when planted at high altitudes.

Uco Valley (Mendoza) and Patagonia seem to perform best, giving aromas of sweet pepper, cedar, currants and spices.