Merlot beginnings can be traced back as far as the first century in France. Throughout its long “travels,” merlot has picked up other names including Petit Merle, Bigney and Vitraille.
Merlot wine is made from Merlot grapes which ripens early and is harvested well before winter sets in. These grapes make an excellent red wine but can also be vulnerable to early spring frosts. The Merlot grape are large and thin skinned which makes them a prime target for birds. History is filled with stories of acres of grape crops being destroyed by flocks of hungry birds. And, unlike some other types of red wine grapes, Merlot grapes cannot tolerate any kind of bird damage. On the positive side, Merlot grapes have always been able to thrive in colder climates than other grape varieties and soils that are too poor for other vines.
In addition to its hardy nature, one of its great advantages is that it is very versatile. Not only do the Merlot grapes make excellent wines all by themselves but they are a popular blending grape used to make softer varieties of red wine. Much of the Cabernet Sauvignon sold in the U.S. actually has small amounts of Merlot blended in to help tame the Cabernet’s mighty tannins. Merlot is often called “Cabernet without the pain.”
Throughout its history, the most famous home for this wine is the Bordeaux region of France. Approximately forty percent of the wine grapes grown in the Medoc region are Merlot grapes. They are also grown with great success in the northeast of Italy. The world’s most famous producer of French Merlot wines is Chateau Petrus and the 1990 Chateau Petrus Merlot wine costs a staggering $1700 a bottle! But there are many more great tasting Merlot’s at much lower prices.
The history of Merlot wine has seen many variations of this delicious wine. Some of the more common flavors are plum, cherry and blackcurrant. Lightly oaked (fermented in oak barrels for a short time) Merlot wines produce touches of vanilla and coconut while heavily oaked (fermented in oak barrels for a longer time) varieties produce smoke, tar and oak flavors. Flavors such as mint, caramel, clove and bay leaves can even be found. If a bottle has been properly aged, you may find earthly aromas of mushrooms, coffee, leather and cigars.
Merlot goes excellent with most pasta dishes, meats and even chocolate. It has proven to be an excellent wine for all wine drinkers. I personally recommend Beringer California White Merlot 2007. This carefully crafted wine has enticing flavors of ripe red berries. It is soft, smooth and delicious. Whether you are a red or white wine drinker, you will find a Merlot to your liking.
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