14 Merlot

Question 1

Merlot GI

Answer 1

France: Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, PomeroI

USA: California, Napa Valley, Sonoma

Chile: Central Valley

South Africa: Stellenbosch

Australia: Margaret River

New Zealand: Hawke’s Bay

Question 2

Merlot Climate

Answer 2

Moderate

Warm

Question 3

Single Just ripe Merlot

3,4,5,6,8

Answer 3

3 Light-medium

4 Dry

5 Medium

6 Medium

8 Red fruit-flavours (Strawberry, Red plum)

Herbaceous (Green bell pepper)

Question 4

Single-varietal Riper Merlot

3,4,5,6,8

Answer 4

3 Medium to full

4 Dry

5 Medium

6 Medium

8 Cooked-black-fruit (Blackberry, black plum)

Question 5

Does Merlot typically see oak or no oak?

Answer 5

It depends on the style.

For just-ripe Merlot which is lighter in body, it doesn’t usually see oak.

For riper Merlot which is fuller in body, this style is usually enhanced by the use of oak which adds complexity and flavor.

Question 6

Bordeaux has a ___ climate with high levels of ___ due to its proximity to the ___.

Answer 6

moderate

rainfall

Atlantic Ocean

Question 7

Bordeaux Merlot

Single or Blend?

Answer 7

Typically, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon.

Question 8

What are the rivers of Bordeaux?

Answer 8

Garonne and Dordogne Rivers which flow into the Gironde Estuary.

Question 9

Bordeaux is sectioned into the ___ Bank and ___ Bank by the Gironde Estuary.

Answer 9

Left Bank and Right Bank

Question 10

What 7 famous appellations lie in the area known as the Left Bank?

Answer 10

Médoc AOCHaut-Médoc AOC

Pauillac AOC

Margaux AOC

Graves AOC

Pessac-Léognan AOC

Sauternes AOC (sweet wine only)

These AOCs are located on the west side of the Gironde and Garonne Rivers.

Question 11

What 3 famous appellations lie in the area known as the Right Bank?

Answer 11

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC

Saint-Émilion AOC

Pomerol AOC

These AOCs are located north/northeast of the Dordogne River.

Question 12

While Merlot is typically the greater part of the blend on the ___ Bank, Cabernet Sauvignon makes up the greater proportion of red blends on the ___ Bank.

Answer 12

Merlot –> Right Bank

Cabernet Sauvignon –> Left Bank

Question 13

Saint-Émilion AOC, PomeroI AOC Merlot

3,8(Age),9

Answer 13

3 Full

8 Black fruit

Oak

Age = Dried fruit, Tobacco

Oaked

Question 14

South of France Merlot

Single or Blended?

Answer 14

Both

Blended with

・Grenache

・Syrah

・Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 15

What appellation in USA makes Merlot in medium-bodied, fruity style?

Answer 15

California

Question 16

Which appellation in USA makes full-bodied, robust styles of Merlot?

Answer 16

・Napa Valley

・Sonoma

Question 17

California Merlot

Oaked?

Answer 17

Very common

Oak flavors include vanilla, coconut, spice and smoke.

Question 18

Very good or outstanding wines are often aged in ___.

High-volume producers may use ___ or ___ instead.

Answer 18

new barrels

Oak chips or staves

Question 19

Central Valley Climate

Answer 19

Warm and dry

Question 20

Central Valley Merlot

Body and Age?

Answer 20

Medium-bodied

Intended for immediate consumption.

Question 21

Stellenbosh Climate

Answer 21

Stellenbosch’s mountainous landscape ranges from a moderate to warm climate and is influenced by varying elevation and ocean breezes.

Question 22

Stellenbosch Merlot

Simple or Complex?

Immediate consumption or Age-worthy?

Answer 22

Complex and age-worthy.

Question 23

Margaret River Merlot

Single or Blend?

Answer 23

Blended with Cabernet Sauvidnon.

Question 24

Hawke’s Bay Climate

Answer 24

Moderate with plentiful rainfall

Question 25

Hawke’s Bay Merlot

Single or Blended?

Style?

Answer 25

Both

Blended with Cabernet Sauvignon

Styles ranging from light and approachable to full and age-worthy.

Question 26

What is the difference between Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC?

Answer 26

Bordeaux Supérieur AOC has tslightly ighter regulations:

・Lower yields

・Higher minimum alcohol

・Slightly longer aging

Otherwise it’s the same grapes and methods as Bordeaux AOC.