{"id":44453,"date":"2024-11-07T05:00:58","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T05:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test10.co.za\/C\/?p=44453"},"modified":"2024-11-07T07:09:26","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T07:09:26","slug":"getting-to-know-merlot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test10.co.za\/C\/getting-to-know-merlot\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting to Know Merlot"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve always recommended Merlot as the ideal wine to acclimatise new consumers of red wine. Whether it\u2019s a friend broadening their horizons from white wine, or my dad, leaving the beer and whisky world behind and getting into the wine arena, a Merlot is normally a good place to start. To celebrate International Merlot Day, 7 November, we get to know Merlot and the classic Merlot grape that originates from the Bordeaux region of France.<\/p>\n

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Most appreciate Merlot for its general characteristics like the red fruits, easy tannins and a soft finish, but there\u2019s more to Merlot…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Owing to its soft and fruity character and easy-drinking status, the grape has been crowned a favourite by many enthusiasts, \u00a0ensuring a large following. Most appreciate Merlot for its general characteristics like the red fruits, easy tannins and a soft finish, but there\u2019s more to Merlot than being smooth.<\/p>\n

When thinking of Merlot tasting notes, ‘Christmas cake’ comes to mind \u2013 yum! A range of fresh flavours such as plums, cherries, blueberries and blackberries mixed with cocoa and black pepper tones often dominate this type of red wine.<\/p>\n

Owing to its soft and fruity character and easy-drinking status, the grape has been crowned a favourite by many enthusiasts…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Merlot is popular as a companion to the very rowdy Cabernet Sauvignon<\/a> or Cabernet Franc. In a Bordeaux-style red blend<\/a> where the Cabernets \u2013 which give the backbone \u2013 are slightly softened or mellowed a little, the Merlot rounds-off the wine, allowing more definition.<\/p>\n

Cool climate Merlot is more structured, with a higher presence of tannins and earthy flavours like tobacco and eucalyptus. Warm climate Merlot wine is more fruit-forward and the tannins are less prevalent. In using a sporting analogy, I would usually refer to a Merlot as a ‘cricket player’ \u2013 a wine full of finesse, culture, etiquette, almost gentlemanly \u2013 compared to some of the more robust characters that are apparent in other red grapes.<\/p>\n

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3 Interesting Facts About Merlot<\/h3>\n