Merlot

Question 1

What type of climate does Merlot prefer

Answer 1

Moderate to warm

Question 2

Describe a typical single varietal merlot.
Acid
Tannin

Answer 2

Medium acid
Medium tannin

Question 3

Describe the flavour profile of a just-ripe Merlot
Body
Aromas and Flavours

Answer 3

Medium body
Red Fruit (strawberry, red plum)
Herbaceous notes (green bell pepper)

Question 4

Describe the flavour profile of a riper Merlot
Body
Aromas and Flavours

Answer 4

Medium to full body
Cooked black fruit (blackberry, black plum)

Question 5

How is it possible to produce a riper style merlot in a moderate climate

Answer 5

Harvest the grapes later

Question 6

What characteristic of other red wines does a Merlot blend help to improve

Answer 6

Tannins

Question 7

Adding merlot to other red wines makes them ready to drink at an earlier age. True/False

Answer 7

True

Question 8

What are some tertiary flavour of an oak aged merlot

Answer 8

Dried fruit and tobacco

Question 9

Where is Merlot grown in France

Answer 9

Bordeaux and the South of France

Question 10

What is the climate in Bordeaux

Answer 10

Moderate with high level of rain

Question 11

What are the two rivers that meet in Bordeaux

Answer 11

Garonne and Dordogne

Question 12

Name the three districts that are known as the left bank

Answer 12

Medoc, Graves and Sauternes

Question 13

What two districts are know as the right bank

Answer 13

Saint-Emillion and Pomerol

Question 14

What are the two regional appellations in Bordeaux

Answer 14

Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Superieur AOC

Question 15

Wines made in the right bank appellations in Bordeaux are typically Cabernet Sauvignon dominant

Answer 15

False, they are typically merlot dominant

Question 16

Describe the body and flavours of merlot wines from the right bank

Answer 16

Full body
Black fruits from and oak

Question 17

What are some tertiary flavours that merlot will see from bottle aging

Answer 17

Tobacco and dried fruit

Question 18

Name three grapes that are often blended with merlot

Answer 18

Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah

Question 19

What regions in California are known for Merlot

Answer 19

Napa and Sonoma

Question 20

High quality California merlot is often aged in new oak barrels. True/False

Answer 20

True

Question 21

What area of Chile is known for merlot

Answer 21

Central Valley

Question 22

Chile is known for high yields of fully ripe merlot each year. True/False

Answer 22

True

Question 23

Merlot from Chile should be aged. True/False

Answer 23

False, it is best consumed when young

Question 24

What region of South Africa is known for Merlot

Answer 24

Stellenbosch

Question 25

Wines from Stellenbosch merlot is better when aged in bottle. True/False

Answer 25

True

Question 26

What is the climate in Stellenbosch

Answer 26

Moderate to warm, mountainous with sea breezes

Question 27

What area of Australia produces Merlot

Answer 27

Margaret River

Question 28

Is merlot from Margaret river often blended? Yes/No

Answer 28

Yes with Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 29

What area of New Zealand produces Merlot

Answer 29

Hawkes Bay

Question 30

Describe the typical acid and tannin of a single varietal merlot

Answer 30

Medium Tannin, Medium Acid

Question 31

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

Answer 31

Stricter rules around yields, aging and minimum alcohol levels

Question 32

Name three appellations within the Medoc AOC

Answer 32

Medoc-Haut AOC, Margaux AOC and Pauillac AOC

Question 33

Name a high quality appellation within the Graves AOC region

Answer 33

Pessac-Leognan AOC

Question 34

Name the prestigious appellation within Saint-Emillion AOC

Answer 34

Saint-Emillion Grand Cru AOC

Question 35

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.

Answer 35

Right, Left