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.
Bolgheri DOC Guado al Tasso Cont'Ugo 2022 Marchesi Antinori
Bolgheri Cont'Ugo dei Marchesi Antinori was born in the vineyards of the Guado al Tasso estate, located near the medieval town of Bolgheri, in the Tuscan Maremma area.
It is produced entirely with Merlot grapes, which after being selected and harvested manually, are left to ferment for 25 days in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures. Subsequently the wine undergoes the malolactic fermentation process at a controlled temperature of 30 ° C for about 25 days, a process that gives the win...
View product pageToscana IGT Merlot Quercegobbe 2022 Petra
The Tuscany Merlot Quercegobbe di Petra was born in vineyards located on the ferrous hills of the Val di Cornia, in the ancient village of Suvereto.
It is produced exclusively with Merlot grapes, harvested and selected entirely by hand. The must ferments in temperature-controlled vats. Subsequently the wine ages in oak barriques and for another 10 months in bottle before being put on the market.
It is characterized by an intense ruby red color. The nose opens with rich hints of red fruits, enriche...
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 pageToscana IGT Rosso L'Apparita 2020 Castello di Ama
The Apparita of Castello di Ama was born in the Bellavista vineyard located on the hills between Gaiole and Radda in Chianti, in the heart of the Chianti Classico area.
It is produced exclusively with Merlot grapes, harvested in mid-September. After a soft pressing, the grapes ferment in stainless steel tanks in contact with the skins for 4 weeks. Subsequently the wine ages in barriques for about 18 months, before being bottled.
It is a wine characterized by a deep red color, with bright reflectio...
View product pageLazio IGT Merlot Sodale 2022 Famiglia Cotarella
The Sodale red wine of Tenuta Montiano is a creation of the Cotarella winemaker.
The wine is made from 100% Merlot grapes which, once in the cellar, are fermented in steel tanks. After a 20% drain, fermentation begins, during which pumping over and délestage are carried out. The wine thus obtained ages in barrique for 9 months.
Intense ruby red in color with violet reflections, it is expressed on the nose with a bouquet reminiscent of licorice, dark chocolate, cardamom and porcini mushrooms. The s...
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 pageToscana IGT Merlot Quercegrosse 2020 Vallepicciola
Quercegrosse is a Tuscan wine from the young company Valle Picciola, located in the Pievasciata area, in the municipality of Castelnuovo Berardenga (SI), where it manages 105 hectares of vineyards following the principles of sustainable agriculture. The Merlot vineyards are located at 350-400 meters above sea level
The wine is a pure Merlot, harvested at the end of September. Maceration and alcoholic fermentation take place in concrete tanks at a controlled temperature for 20-25 days. The malolac...
View product pageToscana IGT Desiderio 2020 Avignonesi
Desiderio comes exclusively from Merlot grapes from the vineyards of Greppo, La Selva and Le Badelle, owned by Avignonesi. It owes its name to a bull that lived on the Le Capezzina farm in Avignonesi over a hundred years ago and was the largest bull in Tuscany at that time.
It is the result of only Merlot grapes harvested between the end of August and the first ten days of September. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature for 2-3 weeks. After the malolactic ...
View product pageToscana IGT Merlot Quercegobbe 2022 Petra
The Tuscany Merlot Quercegobbe di Petra was born in vineyards located on the ferrous hills of the Val di Cornia, in the ancient village of Suvereto.
It is produced exclusively with Merlot grapes, harvested and selected entirely by hand. The must ferments in temperature-controlled vats. Subsequently the wine ages in oak barriques and for another 10 months in bottle before being put on the market.
It is characterized by an intense ruby red color. The nose opens with rich hints of red fruits, enriche...
View product pageSaint-Émilion AOC Légende R 2022 Domaines Barons de Rothschild
Saint-Émilion Légende R combines the centuries-old tradition for the production of the Rothschild family wine with an idea of wine suitable for daily consumption.
Harmonic blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it is obtained from a traditional fermentation in red, followed by ageing of 12 months partly in steel and partly in oak barrels.
It is characterized by a medium intense ruby red colour. The aroma is intense and complex, with blackberry notes that mix with hints of wax, exotic woods and cocoa ...
View product pageCalifornia AVA Merlot Vint 2022 Robert Mondavi Private Selection
The Merlot Vint from Robert Mondavi's Private Selection line comes from renowned vineyards in the Central Coast of California, where the cool climate slows down the ripening process of the grapes, resulting in greater richness in aromatic terms.
100% Merlot wine. After a rigorous selection of the grapes, the must ferments in steel at controlled temperatures. The wine then undergoes a period of aging in wood, during which it refines its organoleptic characteristics.
With a very concentrated ruby re...
View product pageCollio DOC Merlot 2020 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 pageRibera del Duero DO El Anejón 2020 Pago de Carraovejas
El Anejón comes from the sloping western terraces of the Carraovejas Valley. It is produced with the three varieties planted on the estate: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
After careful monitoring during the ripening cycle and an initial selection in the vineyard, the grapes are harvested by hand in small boxes. The bunches pass through a cold room and a selection table where meticulous control is carried out. Fermentation takes place in small French oak vats to enhance the peculiarit...
View product pageSüdtirol - Alto Adige DOC Merlot Mollis 2020 Ritterhof
The vines from which Ritterhof's Merlot Mollis comes to life grow in Coste and Termeno at an altitude of 450-500 meters above sea level. The grapes ripen on sandy soils of porphyry origin capable of retaining the heat offered by the sun's rays and gradually returning it to the vineyard.
The grapes are pressed and fermented at a temperature of 28 ° C for 10 days. A long maceration allows an optimal extraction of colored pigments and aromatic substances. The wine ages for 12 months in small French ...
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 pageFriuli Merlot DOC 2023 Cormòns
The Friuli Merlot of the Cormòns winery is a wine that benefits from an unparalleled climatic balance, in which the mountains offer protection to the plains planted with vines from the north winds and the sea exerts a mitigating effect capable of conferring elegance and aromas to the final wine.
The harvest is done manually at the end of September and the grapes are first fermented in steel for 2 weeks, then racked and continue the process in large barrels. The wine matures for over a year in lar...
View product pageToscana IGT Messorio 2020 Le Macchiole
The Rosso Rosso Messorio of the Cantina Le Macchiole is born in vineyards located in the municipality of Bolgheri.
It is produced exclusively with Merlot grapes, harvested by hand between the first and second week of September. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature for 20 days. Subsequently the wine in barrique for 14 months before being bottled.
It is characterized by a deep ruby red color. The nose opens with fruity hints of raspberry and black currant, enri...
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...
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