It’s both a blessing and a curse that Merlot was branded with a bad rep in the late 90s and early 2000s.
I don’t like seeing such a wonderful grape get trash talked, but when it happened, the passionate Merlot producers made better and better Merlot, while the mediocre producers gave up and tried planting some new grape du jour.
Merlot was, and is, one of the most beloved blending grapes around the world and for good reason.
What Is Merlot?
Merlot is a thin-skinned black grape, that is typically blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to provide red fruit, body, and a velvet finish to austere Bordeaux blends.
Merlot shares the same father grape (Cabernet Franc) with Cabernet Sauvignon making them half siblings.
The Romans first cultivated Merlot in what is now Bordeaux and Southern France.
The French worked hard to master the art of Merlot and Bordeaux, when red wine lost popularity to beer and distilled spirits in the 17th century.
Characteristics Of Merlot:
- Deep Ruby In Color
- Medium To Medium Plus Tannins
- Soft Tannins
- Medium To High Alcohol
- Red And Black Fruit Aroma (Cherry, Plum, Blackberry)
- Notes Of Dark Chocolate
- Harvested 2 Weeks Before Cabernet Sauvignon (Used As Backup If Cabernet’s Harvest Is Ruined
Countries That Produce Wonderful Merlot:
- France
- Italy
- Australia
- USA (Napa, Paso Robles, Washington State)
- Argentina
- Chile
- Austria
- Spain
- New Zealand
- Canada
- South Africa
The French have reached the current pinnacle of expression for Merlot in Pomerol at Chateau Petrus where the perfect climate, red clay soil, and drainage allow for magic to occur.
Bottles of Petrus easily fetch $1500-$12,000 per bottle depending on the vintage!
If you can’t afford Petrus but still want to try 100 point Merlot, you can try “Dominus” from Napa Valley at $300-$500 per bottle.
Dominus is crafted by the very same winemaker from Petrus, Christian Moueix.
What’s The Difference Between Cool And Warm Climate Merlot?
The primary differences between cool and warm climate Merlot are; that cool climate reveals the earthy, tannic, dark fruit personality of Merlot, while warm climate will express jammy fruit, softer tannins, and higher alcohol levels.
Earthy Notes Expressed By Merlot From A Cool Climate:
- Bell Pepper
- Mushroom
- Mint
- Olive
- Bakers Chocolate
- Fennel
What Foods Pair With Merlot?
Merlot is a medium to medium plus red wine that pairs well with light to medium weight meats, and rich dark sauces.
Merlot is too big and tannic for fish but is perfect for all fowl.
Look to spiced dishes that are complex, but not hot, to pair with warm climate Merlot.
Foods That Pair With Merlot:
- Chicken Shawarma
- Roast Turkey
- Roast Duck
- Mac And Cheese
- Beef Bourguignon
- Beef Stroganoff
- Meatloaf
- BBQ Chicken Pizza
Winemakers around the world are finding regions to plant Merlot that echo the climate and terroir of Pomerol and Bordeaux.
Merlot made in California or Australia will very often see extended time in French oak barrels that impart flavor, round the tannins, and give the wine structure that it would normally have back home in Bordeaux.
It’s the heavy French oaking of Merlot in California during the 80’s and 90’s that gave Merlot a bad reputation. Substandard wine was over oaked to try and fool the consumer’s palate with gobs of vanilla and spice notes.
Cooler climate Merlot made in Bordeaux, Chile, and Northern Italy will show wonderful earthy elements that command attention, and allow for enjoyment without any food at all.
Discover your favorite style as you try bottles made of 100% Merlot, to blends involving Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.
Italians are notorious for blending Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese to create “Super Tuscans” like the iconic Sassicaia.
Whether you drank Merlot decades ago and are due to return and reassess the scene, or have ventured little into the varietal, enjoy exploring this delicious grape!
Cheers!
