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 Graf de la Tour 2020 Villa Russiz
The Collio Merlot Graf de la Tour 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 in contact with the skins for 15 days in steel at a controlled temperature. Subsequently the wine is aged for 12-15 months in oak barrels and for a further 5 months in glass, before being market...
View product pageToscana IGT Rosso Palafreno 2020 Querciabella
Querciabella is an innovative Chianti winery, which has been cultivating its vines in organic farming since 1988. Currently it manages a vineyard park of over 70 hectares, with plots located in the territories of Greve, Radda and Gaiole, surrounded by olive groves and oak woods.
Produced for the first time in 2000, Palafreno is produced from pure Merlot grapes from the vineyards of Ruffoli, Greve in Chianti, Cipresso and Marrone, grown on soils rich in marl. After the classic red vinification wit...
View product pageToscana IGT 2001 Masseto
Masseto is excellence made into wine. A legendary wine, coming from a terroir with unique vocational characteristics. Unanimously considered one of the most prestigious wines in the world.
Obtained from a masterful interpretation of Merlot grapes in purity, 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. T...
View product pageToscana IGT 1996 Masseto
Masseto is excellence made into wine. A legendary wine, coming from a terroir with unique vocational characteristics. Unanimously considered one of the most prestigious wines in the world.
Obtained from a masterful interpretation of Merlot grapes in purity, 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. T...
View product pageToscana IGT 1997 Masseto
Masseto is excellence made into wine. A legendary wine, coming from a terroir with unique vocational characteristics. Unanimously considered one of the most prestigious wines in the world.
Obtained from a masterful interpretation of Merlot grapes in purity, 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. T...
View product pageToscana IGT 1998 Masseto
Masseto is excellence made into wine. A legendary wine, coming from a terroir with unique vocational characteristics. Unanimously considered one of the most prestigious wines in the world.
Obtained from a masterful interpretation of Merlot grapes in purity, 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. T...
View product pageToscana IGT 1999 Masseto
Masseto is excellence made into wine. A legendary wine, coming from a terroir with unique vocational characteristics. Unanimously considered one of the most prestigious wines in the world.
Obtained from a masterful interpretation of Merlot grapes in purity, 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. T...
View product pageToscana IGT 2000 Masseto
Masseto is excellence made into wine. A legendary wine, coming from a terroir with unique vocational characteristics. Unanimously considered one of the most prestigious wines in the world.
Obtained from a masterful interpretation of Merlot grapes in purity, 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. T...
View product pageToscana IGT 2002 Masseto
Masseto is excellence in a bottle. A legendary wine, from a terroir with uniquely distinctive characteristics. Unanimously regarded as one of the most prestigious wines in the world.
Obtained from a masterful interpretation of pure Merlot grapes from three subzones of the vineyard of the same name, Masseto, namely Masseto Centrale, Masseto Junior, and Masseto Alto, favored by the coexistence of a mild-temperate climate and breezes blowing near the marine expanse.
The year 2002 experienced signific...
View product pageSicilia DOC Merlot Sito dell'Ulmo 2020 Planeta
The Sicily Merlot Site of Planeta's Ulmo originates on the shores of Lake Arancio, in the municipality of Sambuca di Sicilia, in the province of Agrigento.
It is made entirely from Merlot grapes from a single vineyard, harvested when perfectly ripe in September. Following a 14-day maceration on the skins, the must ferments at a controlled temperature of 28 ° C. The malolactic fermentation is carried out in steel, after which the wine is aged for 14 months in Allier oak barriques before being bott...
View product pageCollio DOC Merlot Graf de la Tour 2018 Villa Russiz
The Collio Merlot Graf de la Tour 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 in contact with the skins for 15 days in steel at a controlled temperature. Subsequently the wine is aged for 12-15 months in oak barrels and for a further 5 months in glass, before being market...
View product pagePomerol AOC La Ballade 2022 Château La Pointe
La Ballade is produced by Château La Pointe, one of the oldest estates in Pomerol, in the Bordeaux region.
The wine is a blend of Merlot with a small addition of Cabernet Franc. The grapes are vinified in thermo-controlled steel tanks and aged in French oak barriques for about 12 months.
Dark ruby red in color, the nose reveals aromas of black and red fruits, blueberry, currant, blackberry, strawberry and raspberry, as well as spicy notes. The sip has a good structure and a persistent finish.
It go...
View product pageFriuli Colli Orientali DOC Merlot Vigne Cinquant'anni 2020 Le Vigne di Zamò
Friuli Colli Orientali Merlot Vigne Cinquant'anni by Le Vigne di Zamò was born in vineyards located in the municipality of Manzano, in the Province of Udine.
It is produced exclusively with Merlot grapes, harvested and selected entirely by hand. Fermentation takes place, with maceration, in wooden vats and tonneaux open at controlled temperature for 20 days. After malolactic fermentation in barrique, the wine ages in the same containers for 18 months, followed by further ageing of 2 months in lar...
View product pageCampania IGT Merlot Pàtrimo 2017 Feudi di San Gregorio
Pàtrimo is a Merlot from Campania born in a vineyard located in the heart of the DOC Irpinia.
It is produced exclusively with Merlot grapes, carefully picked and selected by hand. Fermentation takes place, with maceration, in steel tanks for about 3 weeks. Subsequently the wine ages for a minimum of 18 months in medium toasted French oak barriques, and finally for another 10 months in the bottle, before being placed on the market.
It is characterized by a dark ruby red colour. The nose opens with ...
View product pageBolgheri Superiore DOC Bell'Aja 2022 San Felice
Bolgheri Superiore Bell'Aja is born from a net prevalence of Merlot grapes, harvested from the first parcel of the vineyard owned by San Felice located in Le Sondraie, in Bolgheri, in a suggestive and fascinating place near the sea expanse, to which small quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are added. The must ferments in contact with its own skins for 25 days, after which it refines in French oak barrels for 18 months.
With a concentrated ruby red color, the nose is intense with hints of rip...
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 ...
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