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 Argentine Argentina

94,3%

Mendoza

Drapeau Canada Canada

42,2%

Ontario

Drapeau Slovénie Slovenia

Drapeau Bulgarie Bulgaria

Drapeau Autriche Austria

Drapeau Allemagne Germany

26,3%

Baden

Drapeau Grèce Greece

18,8%

Crete

Drapeau Australie Australia

Drapeau Moldavie Moldova

36,4%

Codru

27,3%

Budesti

18,2%

Purcari

Drapeau Croatie Croatia

70,0%

Istria

Drapeau Nouvelle Zélande New Zealand

Drapeau Hongrie Hungary

Drapeau Israel Israel

Drapeau Portugal Portugal

Drapeau Roumanie Romania

Drapeau Liban Lebanon

100%

Bekaa

Drapeau Malte Malta

Drapeau Maroc Morocco

Drapeau Mexique Mexico

Drapeau Macédoine du Nord North Macedonia

Drapeau Chine China

Drapeau Serbie Serbia

Drapeau Tunisie Tunisia

100%

Tunis

Drapeau Uruguay Uruguay

Your cellar deserves better than Excel!

──── 🍷 ────

  • 📦 Organise your bottles effortlessly
  • 💰 Discover your cellar's value in one click
  • ⏳ Enjoy your wines at their peak
  • 🍽️ Receive food & wine pairings tailored to your cellar
✅ Already 70,000+ enthusiasts use Viniou

🚀 Why not you?

🚀 Try now

👉 Or discover the app in detail

⭐ Rated 4.9/5 on the stores

Viniou - wine cellar management made simple

Wines made from Merlot

Drapeau FR Bordeaux Château Ponchemin Emma & Alexia 2016
Peak

Bordeaux - 2016
Château Ponchemin - Emma & Alexia
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR South West Buzet Croix de Taillac 2018
Peak

South West - Buzet - 2018
Croix de Taillac
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau CH Wimemdo Valley Unspecified DO Valle Central 2022
Maturity

Wimemdo Valley - Unspecified - 2022
DO Valle Central
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau IT Tuscany Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni Giramonte 2022
Maturity

Tuscany - 2022
Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni - Giramonte
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Grand Cru Classé Couvent des Jacobins 2022
Youth

Bordeaux - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru - 2022
Couvent des Jacobins
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Margaux Grand Cru Château Tertre 2020
Maturity

Bordeaux - Margaux - 2020
Château Tertre
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Grand Cru Château Guadet 2015
Peak

Bordeaux - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru - 2015
Château Guadet
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Grand Cru Classé Château Guadet 2016
Peak

Bordeaux - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru - 2016
Château Guadet
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Barberousse L'Esprit de Barberousse 2019
Maturity

Bordeaux - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru - 2019
Barberousse - L'Esprit de Barberousse
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Francs Côtes de Bordeaux Château Le Puy Émilien 2010
Peak

Bordeaux - Francs Côtes de Bordeaux - 2010
Château Le Puy - Émilien
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Margaux Château Brane-Cantenac 2020
Maturity

Bordeaux - Margaux - 2020
Château Brane-Cantenac
Magnum (1.5L)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Pessac-Léognan Château Pape Clément 2011
Peak

Bordeaux - Pessac-Léognan - 2011
Château Pape Clément
Magnum (1.5L)
Drapeau FR Languedoc-Roussillon Côtes de Thongue Les Larmes Alexandra 2022
Maturity

Languedoc-Roussillon - Côtes de Thongue - 2022
Les Larmes Alexandra
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau IT Piedmont Wines Langhe Revello Fratelli L'Insieme 2021
Maturity

Piedmont Wines - Langhe - 2021
Revello Fratelli - L'Insieme
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux Petit Sociando 2020
Maturity

Bordeaux - Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux - 2020
Petit Sociando
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé de Graves Château Pape Clément 2019
Maturity

Bordeaux - Pessac-Léognan - 2019
Château Pape Clément
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau AT Burgenland Unspecified Heinrich Gabarinza 2019
Maturity

Burgenland - Unspecified - 2019
Heinrich - Gabarinza
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Domaine Cheval Blanc 2008
Peak

Bordeaux - 2008
Domaine Cheval Blanc
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Lussac-Saint-Émilion A Fundo Cordis 2019
Maturity

Bordeaux - Lussac-Saint-Émilion - 2019
A Fundo Cordis
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau AR Mendoza Valle de Uco Septima Tierra 2022
Maturity

Mendoza - Valle de Uco - 2022
Septima - Tierra
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Graves Château Mayne 2018
Peak

Bordeaux - Graves - 2018
Château Mayne
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Unspecified GRC Rémy Garde et Fils La Cabane 2023
Maturity

Bordeaux - Unspecified - 2023
GRC Rémy Garde et Fils - La Cabane
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Lussac-Saint-Émilion Château La Grande Clotte 2022
Maturity

Bordeaux - Lussac-Saint-Émilion - 2022
Château La Grande Clotte
Bottle (75cl)
Drapeau FR Bordeaux Pauillac Maison Johans Boubee d'Exception 2018
Maturity

Bordeaux - Pauillac - 2018
Maison Johans Boubee - Cuvée d'Exception
Bottle (75cl)