Chapter 14 - Merlot Flashcards
Describe Merlot
black grape grown in moderate-warm climates
typically a dry wine when made as a single varietal
med acid, med tannin
light-medium body
red fruit (strawberry, red plum) and herbaceous notes (g. bell pep, capsicum)
riper styles of med-full body, cooked black fruit
Describe winemaking utilized with merlot
often blended with higher tannin varieties like cab sauv
merlot adds red fruit, lowers tannin and allows for younger drinking.
oaked and unoaked are made
lighter style more likely to be unoaked, whereas riper full bodied style may benefit from complexity of oak.
Ageworthy merlot-dominated wines can develop dried fruit/tobacco
What notable regions grow merlot?
France: Bordeaux AOC - Bordeaux Superieur AOC - Saint-Emilion AOC - Pomerol AOC South of France USA: Napa Valley - Sonoma Chile: Central Valley South Africa: Stellenbosch Australia: Margaret River New Zealand: Hawke's Bay
What are notable regions for Merlot in France? Describe them.
Bordeaux - Moderate climate, high rainfall. Typically blends with CabSauv.
Bordeaux AOC or Bordeaux Superieur AOC are typically Merlot dominated blends
Saint-Emilion and Pomerol AOCs are most famous merlot dominated wines. (right bank)
Full bodied with pronounced black fruit and oak.
South of France - both single var. and blends, all qualities.
Explain Left Bank/Right Bank
Area segmented by Gironde Estuary where Garonne and Dordogne rivers meet.
Medoc, Grave, Sauternes - Left Bank
Saint-Emilion and Pomerol - Right Bank
Describe merlot regions in the USA and their styles
Blends are common but single var. are also important.
Those labeled “California” tend to be fruity, med body
Napa & Sonoma - concentrated, full bodied
Typical to taste pronounced oak (vanilla, coconut, smoke) in CA reds.
Describe Chilean Merlot and the growing regions
Central Valley - warm and dry
High yields of fully ripe fruit annually
soft, med body
used in high volume brands for immediate consumption
Describe South African Merlot and the growing regions
Stellenbosch
mountainous area with reputation for complex, ageworthy red wines from classic bordeaux var.s
climate varies from moderate to warm depending on altitude and sea influence
Describe Australian Merlot and the growing regions
Margaret River (W. Aus) Traditionally merlot is used as blend with blend CabSauv in numerous high quality wines from Margaret River
Describe New Zealand Merlot and the growing regions
Hawke’s Bay (N Island)
moderate climate, plentiful rainfall
vary from light/fruity to full bodied/long lived. Single var. or blend w/ cab sauv
Explain regional appellation labeling in Bordeaux
Bordeaux AOC - Bordeaux Superieur AOC
can be made from grapes grown anywhere in bordeaux. superieur is subject to slightly stricter rules regarding yeilds ageing and minimum alch levels.
Explain Left bank appellation labeling in Bordeaux
usually cab sauv dominant
Medoc AOC contains Haut-Medoc AOC
Within Haut-Medoc are smaller appellations like Margaux AOC and Paulliac AOC.
Graves AOC is the area to the south of the city of Bordeaux. It includes the high quality Pessac-Leognan AOC.
Explain Right bank appellation labeling in Bordeaux
Merlot is most important on right bank.
Pomerol AOC and Saint-Emilion AOC are the most important on Right Bank.
Saint-Emilion includes the more prestigious Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC.
