Merlot is one of the world's most widely loved red-wine grapes, with its home in the Bordeaux region of France. Soft and smooth on the palate, it is a great entry point to red wine. It takes the lead on Bordeaux's Right Bank (Saint-Emilion and Pomerol).
What does Merlot taste like?
Aromas of plum and blackberry, with a hint of chocolate and spice. The tannins are soft and the texture is velvety smooth. Neither too heavy nor too light, it is a red to enjoy with the shoulders relaxed.
| Attribute | Profile |
|---|---|
| Body | Medium to full |
| Acidity | Medium |
| Tannins | Soft |
| Style | Dry |
| Serving temp | 16 to 18C |
What food pairs with Merlot?
It pairs well with grilled and braised red meat, hamburg steak, and demi-glace dishes, and suits mushroom and truffle cooking. On the Japanese table, it sits well with rich, savory flavors like sukiyaki and nikujaga.
What is the difference between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon?
Merlot is soft, early-ripening, and easy to drink; Cabernet Sauvignon has firmer tannins and more power. In Bordeaux the two are blended to complement each other.
Saint-Emilion's Jurade and the harvest proclamation
In Saint-Emilion, Merlot's home on Bordeaux's Right Bank, the detail I love to share is the Jurade (La Jurade), a brotherhood that guards the town's wine like an order of knights. Its origin goes all the way back to 1199, when King John of England (John Lackland) set his seal to a charter granting the town its privileges of self-government. It lapsed during the French Revolution and was revived in 1948 by the growers. Members in scarlet robes and caps trimmed with white ermine parade through the town, and every year on the third Sunday of September they proclaim the start of the harvest from the top of the town's emblem, the Tour du Roy (the King's Tower). This is the ban des vendanges, the signal to begin picking. On the third Sunday of June they also hold a ceremony to judge the new wine. It is almost unknown in Japan, but knowing that a town-wide festival more than eight centuries old lives on behind the Merlot in your glass gives every sip a deeper story.
SWIRL's recommended Merlot
Made with the involvement of the owner of the prestigious Chateau Angelus, this Merlot-led Right Bank Bordeaux is the Chateau Rocher Gardat Montagne-Saint-Emilion, supple and complex. Curious about the difference? See What Is Cabernet Sauvignon? too.
FAQ
Q. Is Merlot good for beginners?
A. Yes. Its soft, mellow tannins make it a great choice for those new to red wine.
Q. What is its role in Bordeaux?
A. It leads on the Right Bank and is a key blending partner for Cabernet Sauvignon on the Left Bank.
Q. What is the serving temperature?
A. Around 16 to 18C. Give it a little time and the aromas will swell.
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