Merlot Flashcards

1
Q

Describe Merlot and the climate it likes

A
  • Merlot is a black grape
  • It likes moderate to warm climates
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2
Q

Merlot is typically?

sweet-acid-tannin-character

A
  • Dry wine
  • Medium Acid
  • Medium Tannins
  • Character vary depending on its ripeness
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3
Q

Just ripe Merlot has what characters
* body
* 3 key flavours

A
  • Light to Medium bodied wines
  • Fresh red fruit flavours
  • Strawberries
  • Red Plum
  • Green Pepper
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4
Q

Ripe Merlot grapes produce
* Body
* Fruit type
* 2 fruit flavours

Flavours-Body

A
  • Medium to Full bodied wine
  • Cooked black fruits
  • Blackberry
  • Black plum
  • Riper style is easier in warmer climates but can also be achieved in moderate climates by picking the grapes later.
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5
Q

Why is Merlot blended with Cabernet

A
  • It adds red fruit flavours
  • Can lower tannins making them drinakble at an earlier age
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6
Q

Merlot made in a single variety has several winemaking options, explain the oak options

A
  • Lighter bodied wines wont really benefit from extended time on oak
  • The more full bodied style can benefit from oak-adds complexity and softness
  • The best Merlots can age
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7
Q

What notes do aged Merlots develop

A
  • Dried fruit and tobacco
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8
Q

What countries of note grow Merlot

A
  • France
  • America
  • Chile
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Africa
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9
Q

What area in France is known for Merlot

A

Bordeaux
(SouthWest of France)

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10
Q

Bourdeaux climate

A
  • Moderate climate
  • High level of rainfall as close to the Atlantic ocean
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11
Q

What is the estuary that divides the left and right banks

A
  • Gironde Estuary
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12
Q

What are the areas of the left bank

A
  • Haut-Medoc AOC
  • Margaux AOC
  • Paulliac AOC
  • Graves AOC
  • Pessac-Leognan
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13
Q

What are the 3 areas of the right bank?

A
  • Saint Emillion AOC
  • Pomeral AOC
  • Saint Emillion Grand Cru AOC
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14
Q

What are two higher levels of the pyramid.
Appellation d’Origine Controlee (AOC)

Merlot

A
  • Bordeaux AOC
  • Bordeaux Superieur AOC

Merlot dominated blends

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15
Q

What are the outstanding qualities of wines from the left and right bank
* Aroma intensity
* Body
* Which fruit cluster
* Oak notes (5)
* Aged wines (2 aromas)

Aroma-Body-Flavour

A
  • Pronounced aromas
  • Full bodied
  • Black fruits
  • Oak aromas (Cedar,smoke,cinamon,spice,Vanilla ect)
  • The age well and develop complex dried fruit and tobacco aromas
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16
Q

What is the area south of france where merlot is grown a lot and where its blended with other black grape Varieties

A
  • Pays d’Oc IGP
17
Q

What are the key subregions in California

A
  • Napa
  • Sonoma
18
Q

What are the styles of merlot in USA

Body-Fruit-Use of Oak?

A
  • Vary wildley pending where grown
  • Fruity & Medium bodied labelled California
  • Full bodied examples come from Napa and Sonoma
  • Pronounced flavours of Oak (Vanilla,coconut,smoke)
19
Q

Where is Merlot grown in Chile

A
  • Central valley
20
Q

Central Valleys (Chile) climate and production

Temp-Yield-Body-Styles

A
  • Warm and dry
  • Produces high yields if ripe fruit
  • Soft to medium bodied wine drink now style
  • Some fresher styles can be made at plots with altitude due to the cooling effect
21
Q

Where is there a strong reputation for Merlot in South Africa

A
  • Stellenbosh
22
Q

What are the Stellenbosh Merlots similar to and there quality

A
  • Bordeaux
  • Stellenbosh bourdeaux blends produce some complex, ageworthy wines
23
Q

What is the Climate like in Stellenbosch

A
  • Its a Mountainous area
  • Climate varies a lot pending the vineyard altitude and coastal breexe influences
  • Generally its moderate to warm
24
Q

Australia should bloody know this one…..what area is renouned for Merlot

A
  • Margaret River
    This region has some of the highest quality. Merlot is blended with Cab-Sauv in a bordeaux blend style
25
Q

Where in New Zealand is Merlot known for

A
  • Hawke’s bay

North Island

26
Q

Hawkes bay climate for Merlot and
* Body
* Blending

New Zealand

A
  • Moderate
  • Lots of rainfall
  • Ranges from light and fruity to full body and long lived
  • Single varietal as well as blended