THE 18 NOBLE GRAPES :

1. Article on MERLOT :

November  7-th   " INTERNATIONAL MERLOT DAY''

The name is derivative of an Old French word for "young blackbird" (“merle”), probably to indicate the dark color of the grape.

Merlot is the second most widely grown wine grape in the world. In France, it’s number one. The height of its expression is found in the legendary Bordeaux. It is also grown successfully in Tuscany and in smaller numbers in Australia, Switzerland, Argentina, and other countries, including the United States. 62 percent of all the vineyards in Bordeaux grow Merlot grapes. The fruit is round and fleshy and very pleasing to the eye.

Merlot vineyard's 

MERLOT  started earning a reputation for producing quality wine in 1784, due to the growing fame of the wines produced in the RIGHT BANK  of Bordeaux. While the Right Bank of Bordeaux discovered Merlot in 1784, it took several decades until the grape started to become widely accepted in the ME DOC, even though it is only used as a blending variety in that region.

Merlot is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux. In fact, 62% of all Bordeaux vineyards are planted to Merlot. Merlot is the dominant grape in the Right Bank. Its unique ability to tame the strong tannins and structure found in the Cabernet Sauvignon that’s grown LEFT BANK of Bordeaux, as well as in PESSAG LEOGNEN, make it the ideal blending grape.

In France, Merlot is the most widely planted red wine variety of all, and it is also extremely popular in northern ITALY and the warmer areas of southern Switzerland. The popularity of Merlot in the United States resulted in a significant increase in planting in the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly in California and Washington on the country's west coast. 

However, while Merlot-based wines were the height of fashion then, popularity has since dropped significantly in favor of Cabernet Sauvignon,Zinfandel and Pinot Noir.

Merlot has been planted at a lick in both North and South America. It has a proven track record in Washington state where its charms are attractively balanced by crisp acidity and good colour. Andrew Will is the most impressive producer here to date.

REST OF THE NEW WORLD:

In Argentina, plantings are rising steadily, with the Uco Valley in Mendoza proving particularly well-suited to a soft but full-bodied style of merlot.

Australia produces large quantities of merlot, though the grape has not enjoyed as much exposure or plantings as shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. There are nonetheless a wide array of single-varietal and blended wines, many showing excellent quality with a richer texture and darker fruit flavours than its European counterparts.

 The most sophisticated examples come from the cooler regions in Western Australia, such as Margaret River.
Though there are surprisingly few fine single-varietal wines in South Africa and New Zealand, Bordeaux blends are responsible for many of the finest reds each country produces. Merlot is therefore used extensively in areas such as Stellenbosch and Paarl in South Africa.

MERLOT WINE GRAPES :

Vieux Remparts 2012 Lussac St-Emilion

• Grape
  Cabernet Franc, Merlot

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  Origin
  Lussac is one of five villages to the northeast of St-Emilion with the right to add that name to their own. Lussac makes excellent 'satellite' wines, slightly more rustic than its big brother, but rounded and with great charm.

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  Taste
  This is a rich, full bodied wine showing great concentration of flavor. With juicy black fruit on the nose and palate backed up by a smoky sandalwood character.

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  Château Coufran 2004 Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois Supérieur

  • Grape
  • Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

  Origin

  • Located in the Haut-Médoc part of Pauillac, Coufran is notable for its unusually high proportion of Merlot, which forms around 85% of the blend. Being a more typical feature of right-bank wines, this has earned Coufran the nickname 'Pomerol of Haut-Médoc'.

  Taste

  • This wine has a soft, fleshy and ample feel, combining soft bramble and ripe plum flavours with smooth tannins. Subtle cedar and leaf aromas complete the picture.
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