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

France

87,1%

Bordeaux AOC

5,2%

South West AOC

2,5%

Languedoc-Roussillon IGP

1,8%

South West IGP

0,9%

Languedoc AOC

0,4%

Aquitaine and Charentes IGP

0,4%

Bordeaux Vin de France

0,3%

Alps and Rhone Valley IGP

0,3%

Provence, Lower Rhône Valley, Corsica IGP

0,2%

South West Vin de France

0,2%

Poitou-Charentes AOC

0,2%

Rhône Valley AOC

0,1%

Languedoc Vin de France

Italy

39,0%

Tuscan Wines DOC

14,4%

Tuscany IGT

9,0%

Tuscany DOCG

7,4%

Wines of Veneto DOC

3,0%

Wines of Friuli Venezia Giulia DOC

2,5%

Wines of Trentino-Alto Adige DOC

2,2%

Veneto IGT

2,1%

Tuscany DOC

1,9%

Umbria DOC

1,6%

Wines of Sicily DOC

1,5%

Wines of Veneto IGT

1,5%

Umbria Wines DOC

1,5%

Trentino-Alto Adige IGT

1,2%

Piedmont Wines DOC

1,2%

Lombardy Wines DOC

1,1%

Emilia-Romagna Wines DOC

1,0%

Veneto DOCG

1,0%

Sicily IGT

0,7%

Lazio Wines DOC

0,7%

Umbria IGT

0,4%

Abruzzo IGT

0,4%

Sardinian Wines DOC

0,4%

Lazio IGT

0,3%

Unspecified Vino Italia

0,3%

Abruzzo Wines DOC

0,3%

Apulia IGT

0,3%

Friuli Venezia Giulia IGT

0,3%

Apulia Wines DOC

0,2%

Veneto Vino Italia

0,2%

Lombardy IGT

0,2%

Campania Wines DOC

0,2%

Emilia-Romagna Vino Italia

0,2%

Marche IGT

0,2%

Sardinia IGT

0,1%

Calabrian Wines DOC

0,1%

Tuscany Vino Italia

0,1%

Apulia Wines IGT

0,1%

Sicily DOCG

0,1%

Marche Wines DOC

0,1%

Wines of Liguria DOC

0,1%

Calabria IGT

0,1%

Emilia IGT

0,1%

Friuli Venezia Giulia Vino Italia

0,1%

Lombardy Vino Italia

0,1%

Marche DOCG

0,1%

Campania IGT

0,1%

Basilicata Wines DOC

0,1%

Umbria DOCG

0,1%

Apulia Vino Italia

0,1%

Apulia DOCG

USA

92,9%

California AVAs AVA

4,5%

Northwest American AVA AVA

1,9%

East Coast AVA AVA

0,3%

California

0,3%

Unspecified

Spain

34,1%

Castile and León DO

28,5%

Catalonia DO

9,9%

Aragon DO

4,4%

Navarre Vino de España

4,1%

Navarre DO

3,7%

Balearic Islands DO

2,9%

Castilla-La Mancha DO

2,9%

Andalusia DO

2,6%

Castile and León VT

1,5%

Murcia DO

1,1%

Valencian Community DO

0,9%

Vitoria DO

0,7%

Andalusia VT

0,6%

Andalusia Vino de España

0,6%

Navarre VT

0,4%

Aragon Vino de España

0,4%

Balearic Islands Vino de España

0,4%

Rioja DO

0,4%

Catalonia Vino de España

South Africa

84,5%

Coastal Region

8,6%

Northern Cape

2,0%

Others

1,8%

Cape South Coast

1,4%

Breede Valley

1,2%

Worcester

0,6%

Olifants

Switzerland

47,1%

Ticino AOC

21,4%

Valais AOC

13,5%

Vaud AOC

13,1%

Geneva AOC

2,8%

Neuchâtel AOC

1,2%

Schaffhausen AOC

0,6%

Zurich AOC

0,4%

Vaud AOC

Chile

40,7%

Maipo Valley

17,9%

Colchagua Valley

14,3%

Maule Valley

11,4%

Rapel Valley

8,1%

Wimemdo Valley

3,7%

Curico Valley

2,6%

Aconcagua Valley

0,7%

Casablanca Valley

0,7%

Chaopa Valley

Argentina

90,7%

Mendoza

9,3%

Patagonia

Austria

82,9%

Burgenland DAC

15,8%

Lower Austria DAC

1,4%

Vienna DAC

Canada

50,4%

British Columbia

46,3%

Ontario

3,3%

Quebec

Germany

44,7%

Palatinate

35,5%

Baden

14,5%

Württemberg

5,3%

Rheinhessen

Hungary

36,6%

Eger

32,4%

Villány

12,7%

Szekszárd

7,0%

Balaton

4,2%

Tokaj

4,2%

Tokaj and Upper Tisza

2,8%

Pannonhalma

Bulgaria

58,2%

Thrace Valley DOP

12,7%

Danube Plain PGI

10,9%

Black Sea Region PGI

10,9%

Bulgaria Vin de Bulgarie

7,3%

Struma River Valley DOP

Israel

61,1%

Galilee

29,6%

Judea

5,6%

Samson

3,7%

Golan Plateau

Slovenia

69,2%

Primorska

19,2%

Primorska

5,8%

Primorska

5,8%

Not specified

Australia

50,0%

Western Australia

45,8%

South Australia

4,2%

New South Wales

Lebanon

85,4%

Bekaa

7,3%

Lebanese Mountains

7,3%

North Lebanon

Croatia

63,4%

Istria

17,1%

Dalmatia

9,8%

Slavonia

9,8%

Baranja

Moldova

39,5%

Codru

23,7%

Stefan Voda

18,4%

Purcari

18,4%

Budesti

Morocco

70,3%

Meknès

13,5%

Agadir

10,8%

Aïn Chock

5,4%

Benslimane

Greece

52,8%

Macedonia

13,9%

Peloponnese

13,9%

Ionian Islands

11,1%

Thessaly

8,3%

Crete

Romania

100%

Romania

New Zealand

67,9%

Hawke's Bay

32,1%

Auckland

Portugal

73,7%

Portugal DOC

26,3%

Setúbal Peninsula IGP

Mexico

84,6%

Baja California

15,4%

Coahuila

Malta

83,3%

Island of Malta DOK

16,7%

Gozo Island DOK

Serbia

45,5%

Šumadija-Great Morava

27,3%

Syrmia

27,3%

Metohija

Brazil

100%

Serra Gaúcha

Japan

75,0%

Yamanashi

25,0%

Nagano

China

57,1%

Ningxia

42,9%

Hebei

Czech Republic

100%

Moravia

North Macedonia

100%

Vardar Valley

Uruguay

100%

Canelones

Tunisia

100%

Tunis

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