Merlot
Originally from the French area of Bordeaux from which the most prestigious wines based on this blend still come today, Merlot is one of the most popular black grape varieties internationally thanks to its great drinkability and high adaptability. Generally the Merlot grapes are processed and vinified with the aim of creating precious blends based on Cabernet Sauvignon where the role of Merlot consists in adding finesse and expressiveness of the fruit by expanding and emphasizing the organoleptic potential of Cabernet Sauvignon. Compared to the origin, Merlot is born in the Bordeaux area from a spontaneous cross between Cabernet Franc and Magdalene Noir de Charentes. If the complementary grape of Cabernet Sauvignon remains in the Medoc region, in the Saint-Emilion area it is the most cultivated and often proposed grape variety, especially in the Pomerol area, a true paradise of this extraordinary grape. Unlike the coastal part where the pebble suitable for the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, in this area the gravelly soils of alluvial matrix are sedimented with sands rich in ferrous minerals and clays, creating a perfect mix for the needs of the vine. The most famous Merlots in the world are born in this AOC, which stand out for the finesse of the aromas of small dark berries, for the extraordinary harmony and complexity, as well as for a refined evolution towards balsamic and mentholated notes. The Pomerol territory was not classified in 1855, but over the centuries a scale of values was created and today the most highly rated labels ever come from: Château Petrus, Château La Fleur, Château L'Eglise Clinet, Château Le Pin, Château La Violette, Château Trotanoy, Château Housanna, Château L'Evangile, Château Clinet, Vieux Château Certan. In addition to this French peculiarity, Merlot remains one of the most widespread varieties in the world, present in almost all European countries, as well as in the countries of the New World. Thus, especially in consideration of its peculiar characteristics, the vinification of Merlot in purity appears increasingly widespread in recent years, offering wines with great personality. In Italy the spread of this grape involves regions such as Friuli Venezia Giulia, South Tyrol, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Sicily. Precisely in the case of Tuscany, the extreme compatibility of coastal climatic conditions with those present in the Bordeaux area has allowed in recent decades the creation of very successful and qualitatively competitive blends despite the maintenance of recognizable specificities. In addition to being subject to very different harvest times, designed to obtain fresher and less alcoholic or more robust wines in consideration of the ripeness of the fruit, Merlot usually comes in two different versions depending on the climatic conditions affecting the grapes. The most common is the one in which the Merlot grapes are grown in environments where a warm or moderate climate prevails, giving life to a wine with characteristic hints of wild berries mainly black berries such as blueberries, black currants, plums, cherries, often followed also from fresh herbaceous notes of undergrowth; the result is a wine characterized by a soft and velvety body in perfect balance with the body of the tannins and the high alcohol content. The other interpretation is more elegant and slender and is pursued with colder climatic conditions that allow Merlot, thanks to the different maturation, to stand out for greater tannins and acidity. In both cases, Merlot almost always undergoes an aging process in oak barrels, gaining spicy and fragrant notes of vanilla and coffee. Versatile and disruptive wine, Merlot is the red wine loved for its persuasive elegance, soft and rich fruit, smooth profile and balanced, long and persistent sip, without edges or harshness. An enveloping and round wine that over time has conquered the palates of connoisseurs from all over the world. In the Italian case, the appearance of Merlot in response to the damage caused by phylloxera depended on the need to plant new vineyards by selecting better known and more easily marketable varieties. The vine quickly settled in the Triveneto area, in areas that could recall the pebbly and gravelly soils of Bordeaux, such as the alluvial areas of the Greve del Friuli or the Piave area. The vine then spread throughout the peninsula, finding especially in the area of the Tuscan coast, Bolgheri and its hinterland, the pedoclimatic conditions to express itself with high quality levels, exhibiting a decidedly Mediterranean, mature, rich and intense profile. It is grown with excellent results also in Alto Adige, in particular in the Cortaccia area, the sunniest and hottest of the region, in Veneto in the area of the Berici and Breganze hills and in Umbria. I Merlot is history, discovery, adaptation: many are the labels that exalt it at the highest levels such as Masseto Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, Messorio Le Macchiole, Apparita Castello di Ama, Redigaffi Tua Rita, Rennero Gualdo del Re.
Buy Merlot online
If Merlot is a wine appreciated by many amateurs and easily available in wine shops, buying Merlot online is often the best way to reveal its full potential thanks to the immediate comparison of labels and origins. By purchasing Merlot online you can take a journey into the universe of this grape, discovering for example the blends from the coastal areas of Bordeaux and trying stimulating comparisons with Bolgheri wines. Before purchasing, you can devote every attention to discovering its fruity scents and let yourself be surprised by their combination by identifying the delicate herbaceous notes that accompany them. For an even more complete tasting experience, you can decide to buy two pure Merlots online which, if distinguished by harvesting period and winemaking techniques, will allow you to discover if your taste appreciates the freshness and momentum or body of the wine more ripe and expertly refined fruit. In short, buying Merlot online means getting to know wine from the right direction.
What are the characteristics of the Merlot grape?
The main characteristics of the Merlot grape include high vigor and high productivity, both conditions which, when the climatic configurations allow it, make it very adaptable and preferable for new plants.
What is the taste of a Merlot wine?
A wine composed of a high percentage of Merlot or made with pure Merlot has hints of red fruits and ripe plums with interesting herbaceous and spicy hints that manage to complete the organoleptic profile giving a fuller and more structured taste.
Which Italian Merlot is a must try?
There are many Italian Merlots that deserve consideration but some pure Merlot wines such as Masseto have gained worldwide fame to the point of rightfully entering the Olympus of labels to try at least once in a lifetime.
Toscana IGT La Lallera 2021 Borgo San Frediano
The Toscana IGT La Lallera pays homage to the song of the same name by the great Florentine chansonnier Riccardo Marasco, which humorously refers to the love life of Florentine girls.
La Lallera is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon with a small percentage of Petit Verdot. The grapes come from Eocene soils, composed of limestone and marl. The carefully selected grapes are vinified separately in stainless steel tanks. This is followed by a maceration process that contributes to the harmonious a...
View product pageToscana IGT 2021 Masseto
Masseto is excellence made wine. A legendary wine, coming from a terroir with unique vocational characteristics. Unanimously considered as one of the most prestigious wines in the world.
Obtained from a masterful interpretation of pure Merlot grapes, coming from three sub-areas of the homonymous Masseto vineyard, namely Masseto Centrale, Masseto Junior and Masseto Alto, favored by the coexistence of a mild-temperate climate and the breezes that blow in the vicinity of the marine expanse. The harv...
View product pageCollio DOC Merlot 2021 Villa Russiz
The Collio Merlot of Villa Russiz is born in vineyards located in the municipality of Capriva del Friuli, in the province of Gorizia.
It is produced entirely with Merlot grapes, harvested exclusively by hand once they have reached perfect ripeness. Fermentation takes place with maceration for 15 days in contact with the skins, in steel and at a controlled temperature. Subsequently the wine is aged for 12-15 months in oak barrels and for a further 5 months in glass.
Villa Russiz's Merlot is present...
View product pageLazio IGT Rosso Montiano 2021 Famiglia Cotarella
Montiano is one of the flagship labels of the winery, born from Riccardo Cotarella's passion for Bordeaux varieties and in particular for Merlot. In the Montefiascone area, the vine has found soils of ancient volcanic origin rich in skeleton and beautiful exposures at about 300 meters above sea level, which allow for the production of wines of great elegance.
The vinification is in the most classic Bordeaux style, with fermentation and maceration on the skins for a dozen days and a maturation per...
View product pageBolgheri Superiore DOC Campo al Mare Baia al Vento 2021 Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari
Bolgheri Superiore Baia al Vento by Folonari was born in the Campo al Mare estates, located in the Livorno municipality of Castagneto Carducci, near the sea. This area has gained international fame for the affirmation of the Bolgheri DOC denomination.
This wine is mainly produced with Merlot grapes. After a maceration of approximately 30 days at 28°, at the end of the alcoholic fermentation, the malolactic fermentation takes place in stainless steel containers. Subsequently the wine is placed in ...
View product pageVenezia Giulia Merlot IGT 2021 Schiopetto
This Merlot from the Schiopetto winery comes from a selection of Merlot grapes from the Podere dei Blumeri, from marly soils of Eocene origin.
The harvest takes place manually in the first half of September. In the cellar a traditional red vinification is carried out, with fermentation in steel for 10-12 days at a controlled temperature of 18 ° C and maturation in steel with subsequent stop in the bottle for at least 4 months.
It is revealed in the ruby red colored glass. The olfactory bouquet on ...
View product pagePomerol AOC 2021 Château Clinet
Château Clinet is one of the most prestigious wines of the Pomerol AOC denomination, known for its extraordinary expression of Merlot. The estate uses careful viticultural practices to enhance the unique characteristics of its terroir.
The winemaking involves a careful use of malolactic fermentation in barrique, perfectly balancing the fruity expression with subtle woody notes. This process gives the wine a velvety texture and aromatic complexity.
On the nose, Château Clinet offers intense aromas ...
View product pageCôtes de Bordeaux AOC Rouge 2021 Château d'Aiguilhe
Château d'Aiguilhe is a wine produced in the Château of the same name located in the Castillon region, in the Côtes de Bordeaux area. This prestigious vineyard boasts a long winemaking tradition, located on land that enjoys an exceptional microclimate, ideal for growing grapes.
The carefully selected grapes are subjected to cutting-edge winemaking methods at Château d'Aiguilhe. Fermentation and aging techniques are aimed at preserving the elegance and complexity of the wine, emphasizing its disti...
View product pageSaint-Émilion AOC 1er Grand Cru Classé B 2021 Clos Fourtet
Clos Fourtet, a prestigious 1er Grand Cru Classé B from Saint-Émilion, is known for its elegant expression of Merlot, accompanied by touches of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, reflecting the richness of the Saint-Émilion terroir.
Winemaking focuses on delicate extraction and aging in French oak barriques, perfectly balancing fruity richness with notes of spice and wood, for a complex and harmonious profile.
On the nose, the wine opens with intense aromas of ripe red fruits, floral notes and...
View product pagePomerol AOC 2021 Chateau Le Gay
The Pomerol of Château Le Gay was born in Bordeaux and precisely in Libournais, from the work of Catherine Peré-Vergé, supported by the famous oenologist Michel Rolland.
It is obtained from Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes, which are cold pre-fermented (10-12°C) for 10-12 days. The maceration takes place in small new French oak barrels from Darnajou. Finally the wine is aged in new French oak barrels for 18 months.
The wine is characterized by a deep purple-red color and reveals fragrant notes of ...
View product pageSaint-Émilion AOC 1er Grand Cru Classé B 2021 Château Larcis Ducasse
Château Larcis Ducasse, the first wine from the estate of the same name which has been active since the 17th century, was elevated to the rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion in 2012, a recognition due to the commitment of Nicolas Thienpont, who has led the estate since 2002. conservation and enhancement of the terroir and care of the vineyards are the fundamental principles of this historic estate.
It is the fruit of Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes from vines with an average age of...
View product pageRubicone IGP Merlot 2021 Enio Ottaviani
Merlot Rubicone by Enio Ottaviani is a wine produced in Romagna, precisely in the San Clemente area in Rimini, where the vineyards benefit from an optimal position exposed to the south, south-east. The clayey soil, together with the influence of the Adriatic Sea, gives the wine unique characteristics, enhancing the qualities of the Merlot vine.
The harvest takes place with a careful and selective manual harvesting of the grapes. The fermentation is carried out in concrete to preserve the authenti...
View product pageStellenbosch WO Merlot 2021 Morgenster
Morgenster Merlot is a wine produced in the renowned Stellenbosch area, famous for its ability to excellently express the varietal characteristics of the wines produced. This range of varietals is created to be fruity and approachable, enhancing the unique qualities conferred by the Merlot grapes grown in this area.
The vinification follows traditional methods in red, while the refinement takes place for 12 months in second and third passage French barriques. This process helps develop complexity...
View product pageToscana IGT Contessa di Radda 2021 Geografico
A blend of international vines among which Merlot stands out followed by a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon 5% and Petit Verdot 5% gives life to an unforgettable red, an irrepressible and at the same time fine and elegant wine. It matures for one year in oak barrels, and then completes the ageing for another year in barrique.
Ruby red in colour with slightly garnet reflections, the nose releases hints of plum jam, ripe red fruit and black cherries, fading into spicy memories. The sip is bro...
View product pageNapa Valley Merlot AVA 2021 Duckhorn
Merlot Duckhorn is mainly produced from Merlot grapes from different Napa Valley vineyards that reflect the various microclimates and soils of origin of this unique appellation. It is the result of a traditional red vinification, with aging for 15 months in partially new French oak barrels.
In the glass it is ruby red in color. Seductive aromas of cherry, raspberry and cocoa take shape. It has a silky mouth, with fine tannins that spreads over an elegant matured plum carpet.
It is the ideal compan...
View product pageLazio IGT Rosso Montiano 2021 Famiglia Cotarella
Montiano is one of the flagship labels of the winery, born from Riccardo Cotarella's passion for Bordeaux varieties and in particular for Merlot. In the Montefiascone area, the vine has found soils of ancient volcanic origin rich in skeleton and beautiful exposures at about 300 meters above sea level, which allow for the production of wines of great elegance.
The vinification is in the most classic Bordeaux style, with fermentation and maceration on the skins for a dozen days and a maturation per...
View product pageMaremma Toscana DOC Merlot 2021 Cantina 8380
The Maremma Toscana Merlot from Cantina 8380 is a 100% Merlot with great personality, proof that a vine treated with care and skill can give life to wines of extraordinary complexity and pleasantness.
The harvest takes place exclusively by hand with selection of the best grapes. Fermentation takes place in steel at a controlled temperature, then gives way to aging in French oak barriques for 12 months. Followed by further refinement for 4 months in the bottle.
Of a beautiful ruby red color, it ope...
View product pageVeneto IGT Merlot 2021 Torresella
This Merlot Veneto is produced by Torresella, whose vineyards are located between the Alps and the Venice lagoon, creating peculiar climatic conditions and a fertile land rich in minerals.
The path towards sustainable growth began in 1984, which takes the form of the use of energy deriving from renewable resources, the abandonment of chemical herbicides and the self-production of recycled glass-based bottles.
The wine is composed exclusively of Merlot grapes, vinified thanks to the addition of sel...
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