Merlot

Question 1

What type of Grape is Merlot?

Answer 1

Black Grape

Question 2

What are the typical characteristics of a single-varietal Merlot wine?

Answer 2

• Dry
• Medium Acid
• Medium Tannins
• Light-Medium Body
• Red fruit flavours (strawberry, red plum)
• Herbaceous (green pepper, capsicum)

Question 3

If a Merlot Grape is riper, what characteristics does the wine have?

Answer 3

• Medium-Full Body
• Cooked Black-Fruit (blackberry, black plum)

Question 4

What grape is Merlot usually blended with?

Answer 4

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 5

How does Merlot change Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 5

• Added Red Fruit flavours
• Lower Tannins

Question 6

Is Merlot Oaked or Unoaked?

Answer 6

Both - depends on style.

• Light-Bodied/Lighter style –> little to no oak
• Fuller-bodied –> Oak softens and added complexity

Question 7

Can Merlot be aged for a long time?

Answer 7

Yes - for best Merlots

• Flavours of Dried Fruit and Tobacco

Question 8

What is an important region in France for Merlot?

Answer 8

Bordeaux

(Bordeaux South-West France - classic region for Merlot)

Question 9

What are the two regional appellations for Merlot-dominated wines in France?

Answer 9

• Bordeaux AOC
• Bordeaux Superieur AOC

Question 10

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

Answer 10

Stricter rules on:

• Yields
• Aging
• Minimum alcohol levels.

Question 11

What are the Left Bank Appellations for Merlot?

Answer 11

• Medoc AOC (North of city of Bordeaux)
• Graves AOC (South Bordeaux)

Question 12

What sub-appellations exist in Medoc AOC?

Answer 12

• Haut-Medoc AOC
  
  • Margaux AOC
  • Paulliac AOC

Question 13

What is the sub appellation for Graves AOC?

Answer 13

Pessac-Leognan AOC

Question 14

Are the Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Superieur AOC’s Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon dominated?

Answer 14

Merlot-dominated

Question 15

Are the Left Bank Medoc AOC or Graves AOC Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon dominated?

Answer 15

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot blended in.

Question 16

What are the two Right-Bank Appellations for Merlot?

Answer 16

• Pomerol AOC
• Saint-Emilion AOC

Question 17

What is the prestigious AOC under Saint-Emilion AOC?

Answer 17

Saint-Emilon Grand Cru AOC

Question 18

Are Right-Bank AOC’s Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot dominated?

Answer 18

Merlot-dominated.

Question 19

What are the typical characteristics of a Right-Bank wine?

Answer 19

Right Bank (Pomerol AOC/Saint-Emilion AOC)

• Full-bodied
• Pronounced Black Fruits
• Pronounced Oak flavours
• Complex aromas (dried fruit, tobacco)

Question 20

Is Merlot grown in South France?

Answer 20

Yes

Some Single-varietal

Some blended with:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Grenache
• Syrah

Question 21

What are two areas in California that grow Merlot?

Answer 21

• Napa Valley
• Sonoma

Question 22

What is the typical profile of a California or Napa/Sonoma Merlot wine?

Answer 22

California - Fruit, Medium-bodied

Napa/Sonoma - Full-Bodied

Both:

• Vanilla, coconut, smoke (oak aging)

Question 23

What region grows Merlot in Chile?

Answer 23

Central Valley

Question 24

What style is a typical Chilean Merlot?

Answer 24

• Soft
• Medium-bodied
• High volume easy drinking

Question 25

What region in South African grows Merlot?

Answer 25

Stellenbosch

• Complex, age-worthy Merlots similar to Bordeaux wines

Question 26

Where does Merlot grow in Western Australia?

Answer 26

Margaret River

• Usually blended with Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 27

Does Merlot grown in Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand?

Answer 27

Yes

• styles range from light-bodied to full-bodied
• Blend or single-varietal

Question 28

So Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown in pretty much the same areas?

Answer 28

Yup.

Different Appellations but same areas.

Try to remember that!