Merlot Flashcards
In what climates does Merlot prefer to grow?
Moderate
Warm
What is the climate of the Bordeaux region?
Moderate
From which region does Merlot originate?
Bordeaux, France
Describe the typical profile of Merlot made with just-ripe grapes.
Dry
Light to medium body
Medium acidity
Medium tannins
Red fruit
Green bell pepper
Describe the typical profile of Merlot made with riper grapes.
Dry
Medium to full body
Medium acidity
Medium tannins
Black fruit
Why is Merlot typically blended into other wines, especially with Cabernet Sauvignon?
Merlot softens the harder-edged tannins of other grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon.
Merlot also adds red fruit flavors and approachability allowing the wine to be drunk younger.
Does Merlot typically see oak or no oak?
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.
What are the 2 regional appellations used for Merlot that can be grown anywhere in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux AOC
Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
What is the difference between Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC?
Bordeaux Supérieur AOC has tighter regulations:
Lower yields
Higher minimum alcohol
Slightly longer aging
Otherwise it’s the same grapes and methods as Bordeaux AOC.
Fill in the blank:
The 2 regional appellations, Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC, are usually red blends dominated by _____.
Merlot
What weather threat does Bordeaux get a lot of and why?
Bordeaux gets lots of rainfall due to its adjacency to the Atlantic Ocean.
Which grape is the most extensively planted in the Bordeaux region?
Merlot
What are the rivers of Bordeaux?
Garonne and Dordogne Rivers which flow into the Gironde Estuary.
Fill in the blank:
Bordeaux is sectioned into the _____ Bank and _____ Bank by the Gironde Estuary.
Left, Right
What 7 famous appellations lie in the area known as the Left Bank?
Médoc AOC
Haut-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.
What 3 famous appellations lie in the area known as the Right Bank?
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC
Saint-Émilion AOC
Pomerol AOC
These AOCs are located north/northeast of the Dordogne River.
Fill in the blank:
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.
Right, Left
Describe the style of Merlot-based blends from Pomerol AOC and Saint-Émilion AOC.
Dry
Full body
Concentrated black fruits
Oak
What kind of grapes is Merlot usually blended with when grown in the south of France?
Grenache
Syrah
Cabernet Sauvignon
There are a handful of examples of Merlot from the South of France bottled as a single varietal, but it typically performs best when it’s blended.
What countries outside of France grow a fair amount of Merlot?
United States
Chile
South Africa
Australia
New Zealand
What appellation in California makes Merlot in an easy-going, medium-bodied, fruity style?
California appellation
With the California appellation, the grapes can be sourced from anywhere within the state of California.
Which 2 appellations in California make full-bodied, robust styles of Merlot?
Napa Valley
Sonoma
How common is it for California Merlots to be influenced by oak, be it from oak chips or new oak barrels?
Very common
Oak flavors include vanilla, coconut, spice and smoke.
What area of Chile allows for high yields and high volume of Merlot?
Central Valley
Chile’s Central Valley is warm and dry, perfect for making soft, approachable Merlot.
