MERLOT

The most cultivated black grape variety in France

Merlot

Merlot, a black grape variety from the right bank of the Bordeaux region, was for a long time confined to its region before becoming a world leader due to its robustness, its adaptability and above all its aromatic qualities. This recent adoption has earned it the rank of the second most planted red grape variety in the world. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Cabernet Franc for more body and structure. Unblended Merlot produces soft and fruity red wines. In a word, Merlot is roundness!

WHERE IS IT FOUND?
In France and all over the world

FRANCE

Bordeaux (Gironde), South-West, Languedoc, Vaucluse, Var, Bouches-du-Rhône, Ardèche

WORLDWIDE

United States, Australia, Italy, Spain, Argentina and South Africa

MAIN APPELLATIONS
By type of wines: Red and rosé

Bordeaux : Pomerol, Saint-Émilion. Sud-Ouest : Côtes de Bergerac, Duras, Buzet. Languedoc : Pays-d’Oc

Bordeaux Clairet, Bergerac

SHALL WE TASTE?
Merlot in the glass

Deep, dark, dense garnet colour.

Rich in black and red fruit aromas. Notes of prune, leather and undergrowth with maturity.

Silky tannins. Round on the palate, fleshy and fruity.

Rosé wines are the result of a blend and give different styles.

Pale to strong colour depending on the length of maceration.

Notes of red fruits, sometimes accompanied by spices or vegetal notes.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS
Merlot with your meals

Red wine

Young wine focused on fruit: fine charcuterie (terrines, pâté, ham cooked with herbs), roasted white meats (Basque chicken, veal sauté). Bolognese pasta, stuffed vegetables, ratatouille.

Worth keeping wine: Grilled red meats (prime rib, rib steak), duck breast, rack of lamb, rabbit with prunes. Big game in sauce, game birds (guinea fowl, capon with prunes). Mushrooms: Morel sauce, pan-fried mushrooms.

ROSE WINE

Dry-cured meats (mangalitza, coppa, black ham from Bigorre, dried beef, meat from the Grisons, dried duck breast, Corsican sausage...).

Vegetable dishes (tian, moussaka, small stuffed dishes, stuffed eggplants languedocian style).

Savoury tarts: pizza, tuna pie...

Barbecue: merguez and grilled fishes

OUR MERLOTS...

MORE INFORMATION

Merlot, a black grape variety from the right bank of the Bordeaux region, was for a long time confined to its region before becoming a world leader due to its robustness, its adaptability and above all its aromatic qualities. This recent adoption has earned it the rank of the second most planted red grape variety in the world.

Once considered a second-class grape variety, it is now triumphing in the greatest Bordeaux estates and châteaux such as Saint-Émilion. It is notably the grape variety that is almost the majority of the Pomerol region from which the very famous Château Pétrus originates.

It is as famous for its varietal wines to be drunk young and fruity as it is for its ample, complex and deep wines meant for ageing... Merlot lovers appreciate it for its roundness and its sweetness evoking red and black fruits.

As it ages, it can open up to notes of prune, leather and undergrowth.

It is often used in blending with Cabernet Sauvignon to soften the powerful tannins of the first years.