The grape variety Merlot

Red Grape Variety

Merlot is a renowned red grape variety, widely appreciated for its plush texture and approachable character. Aromatically, Merlot displays notes of ripe plum, black cherry, raspberry, and subtle hints of chocolate and bay leaf. On the palate, it is typically medium- to full-bodied with soft, velvety tannins, balanced acidity, and flavours echoing dark fruits, cocoa, and sweet spice.

The grape thrives in Bordeaux, particularly in the Right Bank appellations such as Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, and in key New World regions including California, Chile, and Australia. Merlot can be crafted as a varietal wine or blended, most notably with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, contributing roundness and fruit-forward depth.

Typical styles range from plush, easy-drinking reds to structured, age-worthy examples, especially from premium sites. Oak ageing is common, lending richness and notes of vanilla or toast.

Food pairings with Merlot are versatile. Its supple tannins and fruitiness work excellently with roasted or grilled meats, such as lamb, beef, or duck. It also matches well with tomato-based dishes, mild cheeses, and earthy flavours like mushrooms, making it a reliable choice across a broad spectrum of cuisines.

Key regions for the Merlot grape variety

Drapeau France France

Drapeau Italie Italy

Drapeau Suisse Switzerland

Drapeau Espagne Spain

Drapeau USA USA

Drapeau Afrique du Sud South Africa

Drapeau Chili Chile

Drapeau Autriche Austria

Drapeau Canada Canada

48,3%

Ontario

Drapeau Argentine Argentina

92,0%

Mendoza

Drapeau Israel Israel

67,5%

Galilee

27,5%

Judea

Drapeau Bulgarie Bulgaria

Drapeau Slovénie Slovenia

Drapeau Allemagne Germany

26,5%

Baden

Drapeau Australie Australia

Drapeau Grèce Greece

12,0%

Crete

Drapeau Maroc Morocco

63,6%

Meknès

13,6%

Agadir

Drapeau Liban Lebanon

90,5%

Bekaa

Drapeau Hongrie Hungary

35,0%

Eger

Drapeau Moldavie Moldova

27,8%

Budesti

27,8%

Codru

22,2%

Purcari

Drapeau Croatie Croatia

56,2%

Istria

Drapeau Roumanie Romania

Drapeau Nouvelle Zélande New Zealand

Drapeau Portugal Portugal

Drapeau Malte Malta

Drapeau Mexique Mexico

Drapeau Brésil Brazil

Drapeau Uruguay Uruguay

Drapeau Chine China

Drapeau Macédoine du Nord North Macedonia

Drapeau Serbie Serbia

Drapeau Tunisie Tunisia

100%

Tunis

Drapeau Japon Japan

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Wines made from Merlot

Drapeau IT Tuscan Wines Unspecified Castello Nipozzano (Frescobaldi) Vecchie Viti 2022
Maturity

Tuscan Wines - Unspecified - 2022
Castello Nipozzano (Frescobaldi) - Vecchie Viti
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau IT Tuscany Tenuta di Biserno Insoglio del cinghiale 2022
Maturity

Tuscany - 2022
Tenuta di Biserno - Insoglio del cinghiale
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Bordeaux Supérieur Château La Ture des Moines 2020
Peak

Bordeaux - Bordeaux Supérieur - 2020
Château La Ture des Moines
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Saint-Estèphe Château Montrose Le Saint-Estèphe de Montrose 2016
Peak

Bordeaux - Saint-Estèphe - 2016
Château Montrose - Le Saint-Estèphe de Montrose
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Pomerol Domaine Domaine de l'Eglise 2020
Maturity

Bordeaux - Pomerol - 2020
Domaine Domaine de l'Eglise
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois Château Peyrabon 2017
Peak

Bordeaux - Haut-Médoc - 2017
Château Peyrabon
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Médoc Château Patache d'Aux Le Relais de Patache d'Aux 2021
Maturity

Bordeaux - Médoc - 2021
Château Patache d'Aux - Le Relais de Patache d'Aux
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Grand Cru Château Laniote 2014
Peak

Bordeaux - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru - 2014
Château Laniote
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux Château Grand Peyrou 2017
Peak

Bordeaux - Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux - 2017
Château Grand Peyrou
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Grand Cru Château Fonbel 2018
Maturity

Bordeaux - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru - 2018
Château Fonbel
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Saint-Julien Château Beychevelle Aspirant de Beychevelle 2023
Youth

Bordeaux - Saint-Julien - 2023
Château Beychevelle - Aspirant de Beychevelle
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Moulis-en-Médoc Château Lalaudey Supérieur 2016
Peak

Bordeaux - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2016
Château Lalaudey - Supérieur
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Château Larcis Ducasse 2013
Peak

Bordeaux - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru - 2013
Château Larcis Ducasse
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau AF Northern Cape Unspecified Marianne wine estate Cape Red 2024
Youth

Northern Cape - Unspecified - 2024
Marianne wine estate - Cape Red
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Château Beau Regard Da Casse 2021
Maturity

Bordeaux - 2021
Château Beau Regard Da Casse
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Pauillac Château Armailhac 2014
Peak

Bordeaux - Pauillac - 2014
Château Armailhac
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau CA Ontario Niagara Peninsula Trius The Icon 2023
Youth

Ontario - Niagara Peninsula - 2023
Trius - The Icon
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Moulis-en-Médoc Château Pomeys 2023
Youth

Bordeaux - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2023
Château Pomeys
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Bordeaux Supérieur Château Pont de Pierre 2021 2021
Maturity

Bordeaux - Bordeaux Supérieur - 2021
Château Pont de Pierre - 2021
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Moulis-en-Médoc Château Lalaudey 2023
Youth

Bordeaux - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2023
Château Lalaudey
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Pessac-Léognan Château Luchey-Halde Lorenzo 2017
Peak

Bordeaux - Pessac-Léognan - 2017
Château Luchey-Halde - Lorenzo
Magnum (1.5L)