red
Merlot
Soft, plummy, approachable
Grape Details
Serving Temp
15-17°C
Aging Potential
3-15 years for top examples
Origins
Bordeaux, France (first mentioned in 1784)
Food pairings
Roast chickenPorkPasta with red sauceMild cheeses
About the Grape
Merlot
"Soft, plummy, approachable"
Merlot is cherished for its supple tannins and plush fruit. While it plays second fiddle to Cabernet in Bordeaux blends, on its own it produces velvety, accessible wines that have earned it a massive global following.
Flavor Profile
Plum
defining
Cherry
prominent
Chocolate
prominent
Herbs
subtle
Soft tannins
defining
Where It Shines
Pomerol, France
Luxurious, complex, age-worthy
Saint-Émilion, France
Elegant, structured, refined
Napa Valley, USA
Rich, oaky, fruit-forward
Hawke's Bay, NZ
Medium body, elegant, fresh