Merlot is one of the most famous and popular red grape varieties in the world. The Merlot wine is therefore one of the most popular wines in the world. The name comes from the word merle, which is French for blackbird. A glass Merlot wine is known for being elegant, ripe, fruity, creamy and pleasantly soft due to the lack of tannins.
That's why it's a favorite Red wine belongs to many! It is a popular wine in both the old and the new world. It is an ideal wine with dinner. But it also tastes great on its own. Although some think there is also a White wine exists of this grape, day is absolutely not true. How much do you actually know about the Merlot wine?
Merlot wine in short
Flavor profile of Merlot:
- black cherries
- Plums
- Figs
- Blackberries
- vanilla
- Dark chocolate
Properties of Merlot:
- Few tannins
- Little acids
- Easy to drink
- Creamy
- Ideal for beginners Red wine drinker
- Good to combine with many dishes
- Almost always matures in oak barrels
- Merlot high quality wine last a very long time
Merlot wine has a smooth taste with low acidity and the fruity aromas of figs, cherries, berries, blackberries and sometimes a hint of cocoa. The colder the climate, the fresher the wine. An Merlot from a warmer climate tastes slightly creamier.
The origin of the Merlot grape
both the Merlot as Cabernet Sauvignon descend from the Cabernet Franc. Merlot is a blue grape variety. The Merlot grape was considered an inferior grape in the 17th century that had no personality of its own. However, they are quite different in taste.
In the French regions of the Médoc and Pessac-Léognan/Graves, the Merlot grape used only to take the sharp edges off cabernet. It was only much later that people began to appreciate the grape and the Merlot wine appeared with a surprising, full, ripe, luscious flavor structure. As time went on, the Merlot grape is also planted in other French areas, including Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.
Bordeaux region and merlot wine
For a long time, winemakers from outside Bordeaux Merlot grapes not interesting enough to grow. And that while wine lovers just love the uncomplicated creamy wine. Winegrowers from other regions eventually picked up on that signal. As a result, the Merlot grapes more and more planted and pure Merlot wine made.
Meanwhile, the Merlot grapes grown worldwide. Only when both wine regions step out of the shadow of their neighbors could Merlot step out of the shadows of Cabernet. Since then, it has been successfully planted in California. Later, almost all regions of the world followed. After that, the popularity of the merlot wine increased more and more. Today it is one of the most widely grown grape varieties in France.
Spread of the Merlot wine
As the popularity of Bordeaux wine spread around the world, so did the Merlot. When the grape arrived in California in the mid-100s, American winemakers began making wines with XNUMX% Merlot.
The mixing of Merlot with the Cabernet Sauvignon wine decreased as a result. The grape grew quickly and they found that Americans really liked the softness of the fruits on their own. Because it also has few tannins, it was quickly embraced.
Merlot from Croatia, Italy and California
Winemakers around the world have imitated Bordeaux blend for generations. Both winemaker from California, Italy and Croatia. This has also led to the faster spread of Merlot all over the world.
California was one of the first areas where Merlot was bottled and marketed without additional wine varieties. Many countries and regions around the world now only produce and bottle the wine itself. The softness of Merlot, as well as its aromatic complexity and full-bodied flavour, make it an easy wine to enjoy.
Rise of the Merlot wine
It became known for its unique smoothness and rich fruit tones. This wine is now coveted by the very many wine drinkers in the world. Wines from the Merlot often contain aromas of raspberries, cherries, plums, cocoa and vanilla. The taste of wine often depends on the origin and vinification.
Does the . grow Merlot in a cooler climate, the wines are often lighter and more spicy with notes of raspberries and plums. In a warmer climate, the Merlot often heavier and sweeter. It contains aromas of cherries, plums, cocoa and vanilla.
Merlot is a wine that contains about 13,5% alcohol, but it can easily reach 14,5%. This is often the case when the grapes are grown in a warmer Mediterranean climate such as Croatia, Spain or Italy. In recent years, planting the Merlot grapes have risen sharply worldwide. According to estimates, the Merlot in 2004 in 3rd place with 260.000 hectares.
De Merlot is a fairly large grape with a fairly thin skin. It contains less dye and less tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot The grape ripens early and is the first to be harvested of all the blue grapes. The rapid development of the Merlot grape is therefore ideal for regions with a cooler. A climate where it soon becomes autumn and the risk of rain in September is high is less good for the Merlot grape.
Around 1990 a lot of cheap and bad wines came on the American market that ruined the reputation of Merlot did no good. Now things are going in the right direction with the Merlot in America.
Other names including the Merlot also known:
- Marlot
- matelot
- Meral
- Shirt
- Merano
- Purport
- Merak
- Merana
- meramme
- Merakan
- Meracq
- melot
- merbau
- Meilot
taste of Merlot wine
The Merlot grape has a naturally low acid content, medium body and can be stored for a long time. The Merlot wine usually matures in oak and has a soft, smooth taste. This 'simplicity' of Merlot wine is therefore also ideal for those who are just starting to drink wine. It is an easy and pleasant wine that can be combined well with various wine-food combinations.
Merlot has a powerful aromatic taste with fruity aromas of berries, cherries and plums. You can also encounter the taste of chocolate in a merlot wine. The older Merlot Higher quality wines often resemble a truffle.
Merlot from a cooler climate tastes fresh and spicy. It has something of the fruitiness of a red currant. The fresh and spicy is because the merlot wine from these regions contains more acidity.
Wine food and Merlot
It is a wine that goes well with a wide variety of dishes. Due to low tannins, the dry taste of Red wine. It complements the taste of various meat dishes such as steaks.
The smooth texture and rich flavors of this wine make it an easy partner. You can drink the merlot wine very well on its own. But you can also combine it well with lamb, veal, stew and beef. Chicken or pork is also fine. But the sauce is very important here. This one could be a bit fuller and firmer. For example, a stew of chicken and chorizo, in a spicy garlic tomato sauce. A little oregano and parmesan on top to finish it off.
The only foods that do not go well together are very delicate dishes such as sushi, shellfish, dishes with a lot of sugar, acidic desserts or citrus dishes.
A small selection of dishes to combine with Merlot wine:
- Red meat: a grilled steak with zucchini and bacon or go for a juicy hamburger
- Stew and lamb with red berry sauce
- Hamburgers
- Pizza
- Poultry
- Old cheese, such as Gouda
- Roasted or grilled pork
- Portobello mushrooms,
- Chili con carne or enchiladas: choose a firm Merlot, from a sunny region
- Root vegetables: Roasted root vegetables such as pumpkin, carrots, parsnips or turnips go well with ripe Merlot from Dalmatia
Merlot wine from Croatia
This originally French wine is also very popular in Croatia. The Merlot grapes have been planted in all regions of Croatia for decades. Both in continental Croatia and the coast. In Istria, where the native Teran wine has the largest share is the Merlot also very popular.
Even in the extreme south of the Croatia, Dalmatia and the islands merlot wine is multiplied. This is mainly because it is an easy grape variety and is not too picky about soil. The Merlot The grape has adapted well to the karst region of Dalamtia. It copes well with soils with little water, long periods without moisture and can withstand sun exposure. Because of these 'customized' qualities, it has been successfully spread all over Croatia.
In the Slavonia and Danube regions, the Merlot grape offers a full-bodied, rich and fruity wine with pleasant fruit flavours. In some areas in Slavonia and Danube region, the merlot wine is often made as a cuvée wine. Ten percent Cabernet Franc is often mixed in. But other wines that are rich in acids and tannins also go well with the Merlot.
De Merlot from Istria compares well with the original from the right bank of the Gironde. Here the acids and tannins are more pronounced. This is often the case when the wine is young. To make it last longer, a longer maturation is necessary. The success of the Merlot is, also in Croatia, the yield per bunch of grapes. Outside Istria is the Merlot also very popular on the Croatian islands such as Korčula, Hvar, Brač. But also in the region around Dubrovnik, the Merlot the good.
In Croatia, the majority of merlot wine is classified as wine of protected origin in the category of quality wine and quality wine (top quality wine). The Merlot from Croatia has often won prizes.
Difference in taste per area
The taste of Merlot strongly depends on the climate in which the grape grows
- Continental Croatia (Slavonia): de Merlot wines here are a bit lighter and spicier. With these wines you mainly taste raspberries and plums.
- Coastal region (Istria and Dalmatia): here are the Merlot wines are often heavier and sweeter. You will taste more cherries, plums, vanilla and cocoa.
Merlot a versatile pleasant wine
In short Merlot is a classic grape variety that is often made as a cuvée in Bordeaux wines in combination with cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Merlot wine is therefore an easy-to-drink wine that goes well with various dishes. It is an easily accessible grape variety and is often recommended if someone is just starting to drink Red wine. That's because the merlot wine is very suitable to start with as an aspiring red wine drinker.
An average merlot wine that has not matured in oak barrels is best drunk within 4 years. Do you have Merlot higher quality at home? Then it can still be drunk decades later. The serving temperature of Merlot is at its best at 16,7 degrees Celsius. Don't have a wine fridge? Then make sure that the wine is between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius. In summary, the Merlot a special wine.
Merlot in our catalogue
Merlot is really everyone's friend. This soft and creamy Red wine tastes delicious during a dinner, but also does well without a plate of food. Are you a novice red wine drinker? Then is Merlot really something for you. You can de Merlot wine from Croatia order from us either per bottle or per box.
Alternatives
There are a number of alternatives to Merlot wine on the market. Some of these options include Cabernet Sauvignon, Plavac Mali, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, and many others. Each type of wine has its own unique characteristics and flavor profiles that make it stand out from the rest. Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, is known for being bold and intense due to its rich fruit flavors, while Pinot Noir often described as elegant and sophisticated.
These types of wines are very different from each other, but offer their own unique set of characteristics that make them great options for those looking for something different from Merlot† Cabernet Sauvignon is typically a bolder wine, with rich fruit flavors that can be intense. Pinot Noir, on the other hand, is often described as more elegant and refined, thanks to its delicate flavor profile. Plavac Mali is a dry wine with a balanced fruity aroma.
Whether you prefer more brutal wines or wines with a more nuanced taste, there are plenty of options for you when choosing from the alternative varieties of Merlot wine. So if you're looking for something other than what Merlot offers, be sure to check all your options before making your final choice.
