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Merlot is a rich, red wine from the Bordeaux region of France. These grapes are planted on more acreage than the famous Cabernet Sauvignon, yet until recently, they were only used to blend with the Cabernet. Traditionally, this grape adds a soft smoothness to the sharper grapes. Its plummy richness adds a lush quality to the fine blended wines of Bordeaux, giving them a suppleness they wouldn’t have without it. It is now being produced as a fine wine in its own right. The thin skins of this variety of grapes produces fewer tannins, creating a soft, sweet red wine without the rough edges you can get with Cabernet. Merlot is known for its aromas of currant, plums, violets, black cherry, cedar, tea- leaf and green olive tones.

Merlot grapes first moved from France into Italy, and then Switzerland, Slovenia and other European countries that produced wine. Most continue to blend it with other grapes to add depth and softening. There are a few regions in Italy that produce merlot as a varietal wine, namely in Tuscany and Umbria. Merlot’s high points can also be its downfall, unfortunately.  Because it blends so well, merlot can be made into a rather dilute wine with no character. This is why it is still primarily a blending grape in Europe.

Recently, merlot grapes have been planted outside of Europe, most notably in California, Washington, Chile and Australia. These regions contain the perfect growing conditions for merlot grapes, allowing for earlier maturity without the risk of rot setting in. Merlot tolerates a cooler growing season than Sauvignon. The grapes also ripen earlier. They seem to grow exceptionally well in Napa, Santa Barbara, Sonoma and the Carneros valleys in California. In Washington, they prefer the Columbia and Yakima valleys.

Like with Zinfandel, a White Merlot is also made by limiting the contact of the wine with the skins of the grape. The resulting pink wine has a hint of raspberry flavor. There is a mutant merlot grape that is a white grape, but it is not used to make white merlot.

Merlot wine is a good introduction to the reds for people who are learning about wine. With its softer, fruitier tones, it appeals to the palate. It reaches its peak earlier in the aging process, making merlot a less expensive, tasty red wine that is suitable for accompanying beef, pasta and other robust dishes. While Cabernet Sauvignon still holds court over most of the world, in some places like the United States and Chile, merlot is becoming more popular all the time. This varietal wine has made a name for itself after a long history of working in the background.

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