Merlot grape is a close cousin to Cabernet Sauvignon because it is lower in tannins and it produces wines that mature faster and are softer in texture, according to Cellarnotes.net, a website dedicated to wine information. Merlot is often blended with sauvignon in order to soften the blend because it can be a very dry wine, thin in taste and texture and not pleasant to consume. However, it can be dry, rich in flavor with a smooth texture as it finishes in your throat. "Majority of merlots are of good quality and are rich in flavor," says Hay. It can be great on its own but can be stellar when blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
The growing conditions of a merlot are different from a cabernet because it is able to mature in regions that are cooler in climate than those of a sauvignon. It is able to withstand diseases such as fungus and mold, but these traits also make it harder to grow. Because merlot ripens at least a week earlier than cabernet, it is a grape that can be counted on. According to Cellarnotes.net, an example of a fine merlot is Chateau Petrus.
The grape's taste consists of soft and fruity blends. It is very smooth in texture with very slight tannins. It can have long aging potential, but most are ready to consume in a shorter time period than Sauvignon and can be consumed in four to eight years. The wine does not require extended bottle age, which is an added bonus especially for consumers who do not own a cellar. Ripeness seems critical to the taste of the grape because it can stem away from fruit and lean towards herbaseouseness, according to Professional Friends of Wine, a website dedicated to wine information.
It is gaining in popularity, and additional land is being devoted to merlot grapes throughout the world. According to CellarNotes.net, it came to California in the mid-1860s and has become one of the most popular wines since its surge in popularity in the 1990's. California seems to garner the highest honors when growing merlot grapes; the reason is because of labeling. According to Internet Wines and Spirits, a website that sells wine and liquor, it states that a wine can be labeled merlot and still contain up to 25% other grapes, whereas in other countries, it is 100% or nothing.
Merlot should be served slightly below room temperature. When it reaches a certain degree level it can cause an unpleasant sharpness in taste. By cooling the bottle in a refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes, it can reach its desired serving temperature.
