Merlot Flashcards
What type of Grape is Merlot?
Black Grape
What are the typical characteristics of a single-varietal Merlot wine?
- Dry
- Medium Acid
- Medium Tannins
- Light-Medium Body
- Red fruit flavours (strawberry, red plum)
- Herbaceous (green pepper, capsicum)
If a Merlot Grape is riper, what characteristics does the wine have?
- Medium-Full Body
- Cooked Black-Fruit (blackberry, black plum)
What grape is Merlot usually blended with?
Cabernet Sauvignon
How does Merlot change Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Added Red Fruit flavours
- Lower Tannins
Is Merlot Oaked or Unoaked?
Both - depends on style.
- Light-Bodied/Lighter style –> little to no oak
- Fuller-bodied –> Oak softens and added complexity
Can Merlot be aged for a long time?
Yes - for best Merlots
- Flavours of Dried Fruit and Tobacco
What is an important region in France for Merlot?
Bordeaux
(Bordeaux South-West France - classic region for Merlot)
What are the two regional appellations for Merlot-dominated wines in France?
- Bordeaux AOC
- Bordeaux Superieur AOC
What is the difference between Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Superieur AOC?
Stricter rules on:
- Yields
- Aging
- Minimum alcohol levels.
What are the Left Bank Appellations for Merlot?
- Medoc AOC (North of city of Bordeaux)
- Graves AOC (South Bordeaux)
What sub-appellations exist in Medoc AOC?
- Haut-Medoc AOC
- Margaux AOC
- Paulliac AOC
What is the sub appellation for Graves AOC?
Pessac-Leognan AOC
Are the Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Superieur AOC’s Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon dominated?
Merlot-dominated
Are the Left Bank Medoc AOC or Graves AOC Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon dominated?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot blended in.
What are the two Right-Bank Appellations for Merlot?
- Pomerol AOC
- Saint-Emilion AOC
What is the prestigious AOC under Saint-Emilion AOC?
Saint-Emilon Grand Cru AOC
Are Right-Bank AOC’s Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot dominated?
Merlot-dominated.
What are the typical characteristics of a Right-Bank wine?
Right Bank (Pomerol AOC/Saint-Emilion AOC)
- Full-bodied
- Pronounced Black Fruits
- Pronounced Oak flavours
- Complex aromas (dried fruit, tobacco)
Is Merlot grown in South France?
Yes
Some Single-varietal
Some blended with:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Grenache
- Syrah
What are two areas in California that grow Merlot?
- Napa Valley
- Sonoma
What is the typical profile of a California or Napa/Sonoma Merlot wine?
California - Fruit, Medium-bodied
Napa/Sonoma - Full-Bodied
Both:
- Vanilla, coconut, smoke (oak aging)
What region grows Merlot in Chile?
Central Valley
What style is a typical Chilean Merlot?
- Soft
- Medium-bodied
- High volume easy drinking
What region in South African grows Merlot?
Stellenbosch
- Complex, age-worthy Merlots similar to Bordeaux wines
Where does Merlot grow in Western Australia?
Margaret River
- Usually blended with Cabernet Sauvignon
Does Merlot grown in Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand?
Yes
- styles range from light-bodied to full-bodied
- Blend or single-varietal
So Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown in pretty much the same areas?
Yup.
Different Appellations but same areas.
Try to remember that!
