Merlot Flashcards
Key regions in France
Bordeaux, South West France - classical home of Merlot.
Segmented by the Gironde River running through region (Garonne & Dordogne Rivers meet from inland).
South & West of Gironde areas & AOCs
Medoc, Graves, Sauternes (‘The Left Bank)
Appellations
Haut-Medoc. Within this are the smaller - Margaus, Pauillac & Graves AOCs, including the high quality Passaic-Leognan AOC.
Languedoc-Rousillon - Type of Merlots & location
Warm Southern France. Single varietal & blends with Cab Sav, Grenache & Syrah found here.
Will be labelled Pays D’Oc IGP.
North & East of the Gironde
Saint-Emillion AOC & Pomerol AOC (The Right Bank’)
These at the most famous Merlot wines of Bordeaux, inc the most prestigious Saint Emilion Grand Cru AOC
Bordeaux climate
Moderate climate, high rainfall levels (close proximity to the Atlantic).
Merlot most widely planted in the area, for single and blend varieties.
Grape variety & climate
Black grape
Moderate & warm
Merlot profile (just ripe & ripe)
Single varietal - dry wine, medium acidity/tannins
Just ripe - light/medium body, fresh red fruit flavours & herbaceous notes (green pepper)
Riper - medium/full body, cooked black fruit flavours
Merlot often blended with what..
Typical higher tannins level of a Cab Sauvignon - helps add red fruit flavour & lower tannins of cab sav to create a more balanced wine, that is ready to drink at earlier age.
Oaked?
Can be naked or unbaked.
Lighter merlots dont require it so much, but fuller bodied styles (i.e. cab Sauvignon blends) may benefit from being softened by barrel maturation
USA Merlot & vineyards
Single varietal & blends
Oaked (vanilla, smoke, coco) flavours common here
California -
just labelled ‘California’ are light, fruit, medium body merlots
But more concentrated & fuller body labelled -
Napa Valley - Calistoga, Rutherford, Oakville
Sonoma
Chile Merlot & climate
Central Valley -
Specific vineyards = Maipo & Colchagua valleys
dry & warm climate, high yields of fully ripe fruit annually.
Known for soft, medium body Merlot for high-vol brands - immediate consumption.
Altitude of vineyards - moderating effect of altitude = fresher Merlot styles
Australia Merlot & climate
Margaret River -
Western Australia, south of Perth
Coonawarra -
South-east of Adelaide, South Australia
Traditionally for high quality blends with Cab Sauv
South Africa Merlot & climate
Stellenbosch -
Mountain regions vary from moderate to warm
strong rep for complex, age-worthy reds from Bordeaux grape varieties.
Moderating effect - From altitude & nearby sea breeze
New Zealand Merlot & climate
Hawke’s Bay, North Island
Moderate climate, with lots of rainfall.
Light & fruity to full bodied and long. Single & Cab Sauvignon blends.
