All about Merlot: the most planted grape variety in France

Appreciated for its suppleness, fruitiness as well as its ability to produce wines of great quality, Merlot is one of the most planted varieties in the world. It indeed plays a central role in the entire wine industry, notably in Bordeaux where it is regularly blended with the grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

In this article, we will explore together the history of Merlot, its origins, its taste characteristics, its main production regions, and the food and wine pairings to consider with it.After this reading, you will know everything about this fabulous grape variety!

History and origins of Merlot

Although it is likely that Merlot was cultivated in the Bordeaux region earlier, it was not until the late 18th century that the grape variety was formally identified in the Libournais. 

While its temporal origins remain uncertain, it is nevertheless now established that Merlot is the result of a crossbreeding between Cabernet Franc and a variety now almost extinct: the Magdeleine Noire des Charentes.

Its name, in turn, would echo the blackbirds (or merleaux), small birds that are fond of the berries of this grape and possess a very dark color, similar to the variety.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, Merlot experienced a growing popularity, eventually becoming the leading grape variety in the Bordeaux vineyard. 

After World War II, its ease of cultivation and its ability to adapt to various climates and soils made it a popular choice in many wine regions around the world, notably in Italy, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Chile.

Today, with 266,000 hectares, it is the second most planted red wine grape variety in the world behind Cabernet Sauvignon (341,000 hectares). Quite impressive, isn't it? 

The cultivation areas of Merlot

With 116,000 hectares, France is the world's largest Merlot vineyard, accounting for nearly 43% of its global surface area. Within our beautiful country, it is primarily located in the Bordeaux region, where 65,000 hectares are planted, representing over 55% of the domestic plantings of the grape variety.

The variety notably sets the pace in the appellations of Libournais such as Canon-Fronsac, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Pomerol and also Saint-Émilion as well as its satellite AOCs (Puisseguin, Saint-Georges, Lussac, Montagne, etc.). In Médoc, on the left bank, it is less present but certain appellations like Moulis-en-Médoc and Listrac-Médoc have made a special place for it. Finally, it is also found in Pessac-Léognan as well as in Graves, further south of the vineyard.

Still in France, it has also flourished in the South-West as in Bergerac or to a lesser extent in Madiran and Cahors where it is used as a complementary grape variety. Merlot is also firmly established in  Languedoc-Roussillon where it covers nearly 30,000 hectares. Finally, the variety is also present in Provence as well as in the Rhône Valley but in much smaller quantities.

Abroad this time, Merlot is grown in almost all major wine regions:  Italy, United States, Chile, Argentina or even Australia and New Zealand... the Libourne grape variety has now conquered the entire planet !

Merlot represents more than half of the Bordeaux vineyard

The characteristics of Merlot

Merlot is an early-ripening grape variety, meaning it matures earlier than many other varieties.Therefore, it is suitable for relatively cool climates where harvesting can be done before the autumn rains.  However, this early ripening also makes it susceptible to spring frosts. Additionally, Merlot is also prone to gray rot and other fungal diseases, requiring increased attention from winegrowers. Finally, it is on clay-limestone terroirs that it gives its best. 

In tasting, Merlot is often described as a grape variety producing supple, fruity wines, with a velvety texture and tannins that are present but rather round. Moreover, its medium acidity makes its wines pleasant from a young age.

In terms of aromas, the typical markers of Merlot include red and black fruits  (strawberry, plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, etc.). As it ages, it can develop more complex notes of truffle, chocolate, leather, and tobacco.

Of course, this description is a generalization and does not reflect the great diversity of wines that Merlot is capable of producing! Indeed, depending on the quality of the plant material, the terroir, or the winemaking process, this great grape variety can offer radically different cuvées.

Thus, a  Merlot focused on pleasure and fruit will produce a delicious red wine for aperitif, while a Merlot from a prestigious terroir and aged in barrels will produce a great wine complex that will only fully reveal itself after a long aging! Similarly, a Californian Merlot with jammy aromas and a high alcohol level will leave you with a completely different impression than a French or Italian Merlot!

 Bordeaux Merlot and Californian Merlot: very different aromatics and balances!

What are the differences between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon?

Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are often blended to create balanced and harmonious wines.However, the two grape varieties have notable differences.

Firstly, and as already mentioned, Merlot is a rather early-ripening variety that prefers cool climates and clay-limestone soils. On the other hand, Cabernet Sauvignon is much more late-ripening and prefers warm climates and gravelly soils that retain heat.

From a visual and taste perspective, Merlot also presents a ruby color, a fruity aromatic profile, and marked but rather elegant tannins. In contrast, Cabernet Sauvignon offers  a darker purple color, more structured tannins, a more pronounced acidity, and an aromatic profile focused on black fruits as well as spices or bell pepper.

In short, there's no need to compare them... if the two varieties are regularly blended, it's precisely because their qualities complement each other perfectly!

Merlot vines in the Pomerol appellation 

Food and wine pairings with Merlot

Merlot lends itself to a wide variety of food and wine pairings. Here are some suggestions to enhance your meals.

• Red meats : the fruitiness, roundness of Merlot, and its tannic structure often balance very well with the strong flavors of red meats. Here, don't hesitate to open a bottle of Merlot blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. The pairing will be ideal with a barbecue, a rib of beef, or lamb chops!

• White meats : thanks to its balance, Merlot pairs very well with roasted poultry (chicken, turkey, etc.) as well as pork-based dishes.

• Cheeses : although cheeses generally pair better with white wines, you can still try pairing Merlot with gorgonzola or Brie. In this case, choose a young, fruity, and low-tannin Merlot! For older Merlots, opt for Gruyère or Comté. 

• Charcuteries: A red aperitif wine made from Merlot (light, fruity, and low in tannins) will be ideal to accompany a charcuterie board! Dry sausage, Grisons meat, country ham, and rillettes will indeed pair very well with this type of wine!

• Tapas: The small appetizer bites (croquettes, tomato bread, potatoes, etc.) will also find in fruity and low-tannin Merlots ideal companions.

Finally, to fully enjoy a Merlot, it is generally recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Younger wines can also be decanted before tasting to reveal their aromas. 

 A classic but magical pairing: Merlot and roast chicken

The best Merlots

Although it is very complex to identify the best Merlots, two appellations mainly come to mind when this grape variety is mentioned: Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. These two vineyards indeed highlight this grape variety, and their respective terroirs are ideal for its cultivation.

In this regard, we therefore recommend the wines from Château de Valois in Pomerol as well as from Château Leydet-Valentin in Saint-Émilion.Both properties belong to the same family (Leydet) and offer elegant and complex grand red wines where Merlot is predominant in the blends. The produced cuvées can be enjoyed in their youth but are also capable of long aging...for our greatest pleasure. Go ahead without hesitation, you won't be disappointed!

Finally, we also recommend the Cru Bourgeois from Château Saransot-Dupré in AOC Listrac-Médoc. Here too, Merlot is predominant and allows for the creation of graceful wines offering immediate pleasure as well as excellent aging potential.

You are now an expert on the magnificent grape variety that is Merlot! All that's left is to move from theory to practice! Cheers, and don't hesitate to contact La Cave Éclairée for any questions!