Merlot Flashcards
Describe Merlot and the climate it likes
- Merlot is a black grape
- It likes moderate to warm climates
Merlot is typically?
sweet-acid-tannin-character
- Dry wine
- Medium Acid
- Medium Tannins
- Character vary depending on its ripeness
Just ripe Merlot has what characters
* body
* 3 key flavours
- Light to Medium bodied wines
- Fresh red fruit flavours
- Strawberries
- Red Plum
- Green Pepper
Ripe Merlot grapes produce
* Body
* Fruit type
* 2 fruit flavours
Flavours-Body
- 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.
Why is Merlot blended with Cabernet
- It adds red fruit flavours
- Can lower tannins making them drinakble at an earlier age
Merlot made in a single variety has several winemaking options, explain the oak options
- 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
What notes do aged Merlots develop
- Dried fruit and tobacco
What countries of note grow Merlot
- France
- America
- Chile
- Australia
- New Zealand
- South Africa
What area in France is known for Merlot
Bordeaux
(SouthWest of France)
Bourdeaux climate
- Moderate climate
- High level of rainfall as close to the Atlantic ocean
What is the estuary that divides the left and right banks
- Gironde Estuary
What are the areas of the left bank
- Haut-Medoc AOC
- Margaux AOC
- Paulliac AOC
- Graves AOC
- Pessac-Leognan
What are the 3 areas of the right bank?
- Saint Emillion AOC
- Pomeral AOC
- Saint Emillion Grand Cru AOC
What are two higher levels of the pyramid.
Appellation d’Origine Controlee (AOC)
Merlot
- Bordeaux AOC
- Bordeaux Superieur AOC
Merlot dominated blends
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
- 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
What is the area south of france where merlot is grown a lot and where its blended with other black grape Varieties
- Pays d’Oc IGP
What are the key subregions in California
- Napa
- Sonoma
What are the styles of merlot in USA
Body-Fruit-Use of Oak?
- 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)
Where is Merlot grown in Chile
- Central valley
Central Valleys (Chile) climate and production
Temp-Yield-Body-Styles
- 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
Where is there a strong reputation for Merlot in South Africa
- Stellenbosh
What are the Stellenbosh Merlots similar to and there quality
- Bordeaux
- Stellenbosh bourdeaux blends produce some complex, ageworthy wines
What is the Climate like in Stellenbosch
- Its a Mountainous area
- Climate varies a lot pending the vineyard altitude and coastal breexe influences
- Generally its moderate to warm
Australia should bloody know this one…..what area is renouned for Merlot
- Margaret River
This region has some of the highest quality. Merlot is blended with Cab-Sauv in a bordeaux blend style
Where in New Zealand is Merlot known for
- Hawke’s bay
North Island
Hawkes bay climate for Merlot and
* Body
* Blending
New Zealand
- Moderate
- Lots of rainfall
- Ranges from light and fruity to full body and long lived
- Single varietal as well as blended
