Merlot Flashcards
Merlot grows in what climate(s)?
Moderate and warm climates
What is the typical acidity and tannin level in a single-varietal Merlot?
Medium acidity
Medium tannins
What flavours can you expect from a Merlot that is just ripe?
Fresh red fruit flavours (strawberry, red plum)
Herbaceous notes (capsicum)
What flavours can you expect from a riper Merlot?
Cooked black fruit (blackberry, black plum)
What is the typical body of a just ripe Merlot vs a riper one?
Light to medium body for just ripe
Medium to full for riper one
True or false? It’s impossible to make an outstanding quality single-varietal Merlot.
False
Which variety is Merlot often blended with?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Why is Merlot blended into Cabernet Sauvignon wines? What does it add/provide to the wine?
Adds red fruit flavours
Can lower tannins
Makes them ready to drink at earlier age
True or false? Merlot is typically unoaked.
False. Both oaked and unoaked styles are made.
Can Merlot-dominated wines be age worthy? What flavours develop?
Yes. Dried fruit and tobacco
What is the most important region for quality Merlot based wines in France?
Bordeaux
True or false? Red wines in Bordeaux are typically blends.
True. Predominantly of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the 2 areas on either side of the Gironde Estuary (where the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers meet) usually referred to as?
Right Bank
Left Bank
What 2 AOCs represent wines which are typically Merlot dominant and made from grapes planted anywhere throughout the Bordeaux region?
Bordeaux AOC
Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
What is the difference between Bordeaux AOC
& Bordeaux Supérieur AOC?
Bordeaux Supérieur AOC has stricter rules around yields, ageing and minimum alcohol levels than Bordeaux AOC
What is typically the dominant grape variety in the wines of the Left Bank?
Cabernet Sauvignon
What is typically the dominant grape variety in the wines of the Right Bank?
Merlot
Identify whether the below AOCS are located in the Left Bank or Right Bank of Bordeaux:
Margaux AOC
Pauillac AOC
Saint-Émilion AOC
Graves AOC
Pessac-Léognan AOC
Haut-Médoc AOC
Pomerol
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC
Margaux AOC: Left
Pauillac AOC: Left
Saint-Émilion AOC: Right
Graves AOC: Left
Pessac-Léognan AOC: Left
Haut-Médoc AOC: Left
Pomerol: Right
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC: Right
Is it typical for very good to outstanding quality Merlot-based wines in Bordeaux to have flavours of oak maturation?
Yes
What flavours can develop while aging outstanding quality Merlot-based wines in Bordeaux?
Dried fruit and tobacco
What are Merlot and Merlot-based wine typically labelled as in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France?
Pays d’Oc IGP
What varieties are sometimes blended with Merlot in the Languedoc-Roussillon region?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Grenache
Syrah
What are medium-bodied, simple, fruit Merlot and Merlot based wines labelled as in California?
California
Name 2 Californian regions known for producing concentrated, full-bodied Merlot and Merlot-based wines.
Napa Valley
Sonoma Valley
It’s common to taste pronounced flavours from oak (vanilla, coconut, smoke) in red wines in California. How are these flavours achieved for:
-Very good to outstanding quality wines
-High-volume wines
-New oak barrels
-oak chips or staves
Name the region in Chile where a high volumes of Merlot is produced, often in a soft, medium-bodied style.
Central Valley
Where will you likely find a fresher style of Merlot within the Central Valley region:
At higher altitude?
Or on the flat valley floor?
Higher altitude (moderating effects of altitude)
Name the famous South African wine region which has developed a strong reputation for complex, age-worthy red wines from classic Bordeaux varieties.
Stellenbosch
True or false: it is rare to find Merlot blended with Cabernet Sauvignon in high-quality wines in Australia.
False. It’s common, including in Margaret River, WA.
In New Zealand, which region produces the majority of the country’s Merlot, producing both single-variety wines and blends with Cabernet Sauvignon?
Hawke’s Bay
