The Wine VaultMerlot
A soft, velvety grape that produces approachable wines with plum and chocolate notes. Often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to add roundness.
Origin
Bordeaux, France
Serving temperature
15-17°C
Aging potential
3-15 years depending on style
What Merlot tastes like
Plum, black cherry, chocolate, vanilla, herbal notes.
Food pairings
- Roast duck
- Mushroom risotto
- Beef stew
- Semi-hard cheeses
Classic regions
- Bordeaux (Saint-Émilion, Pomerol)
- Napa Valley
- Washington State
- Tuscany
Fun fact
The name comes from the French word for blackbird ("merle"), possibly because the birds loved eating the ripe grapes.