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Merlot Wine

Merlot wine is one of the most popular wines in the world. Its grapes are grown around the world, the third most popular grape variety on earth. It is used for varietal wines, where only merlot grapes are used, but it is also used in a number of blended wines especially from the Bordeaux region in France. Merlot is a red early ripening grape that has a very berry or currant flavor.

Merlot wine matures faster than many wines but many still develop well stored for decades. They can be made in a variety of levels as well, even white merlot. Some are very fruity with a light color and little tannins, while some are tougher with strong aromas and a high level of tannins. A white merlot wine is made by skimming the juice from the mush and allowing that pink liquid to ferment separately.

Merlot wine can have a wide range of complex flavors, plum being the most common. If aged in oak barrels they can impart interesting tones, or flavors, such as caramel, chocolate, and even vanilla. Some of the other tones associated with merlot are earthy flavors such as olive, leather, mushrooms, tobacco and fennel among others. Fruity and herbal notes are also very common and wide ranging.

 

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