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Merlot

By Grant Klover. Merlot. Overview. Facts. Pronounced mer -LOW Merlot means “young blackbird” Merlot should be served at 64F. almost always blended with other grapes Is used to make ice cream because of it’s low tannins. History.

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Merlot

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  1. By Grant Klover Merlot

  2. Overview

  3. Facts • Pronounced mer-LOW • Merlot means “young blackbird” • Merlot should be served at 64F. • almost always blended with other grapes • Is used to make ice cream because of it’s low tannins

  4. History • The earliest recorded mention is in 1784 in the notes of local Bordeaux official, who noted that it was the best grape from the Libournaisregion. • In the 19th century it is being planted in the left bank of the Gironde. • Banned from being planted in France between 1970-1975 • Started being planted in Italy in 1855 • Introduced to the Swiss between 1905-1910 • 1990 saw an upswing of popularity in the US

  5. Viticulture • Loose bunches of large berries • A Blue Black hue to the grapes • Thrives in cold soil, particularly ferrous clay • Higher sugar content and lower malicacid • Normally ripens up to two weeks earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon • Propensity to quickly over ripen once it hits its initial ripeness level, sometimes in a matter of a few days.

  6. Old World • Merlot is the most commonly grown grape variety in France • In 2004, total French plantations stood at 115,000 hectares (280,000 acres) • The Bordeaux wine region wide spreads 60 miles around the city on the biggest estuary in Europe along 3 rivers (Gironde, Garonne, Dordogne) • In Italy, a large portion of Merlot is planted in the Friuli wine region • Italian Merlots are often characterized by their light bodies and herbal notes

  7. New World • In the 1980s, Merlot helped put the Washington wine industry on the world's wine map • Today it is the most widely grown red wine grape in Washington and accounts for nearly one fifth of the state's entire production • In California, Merlot can range from very fruity simple wines to more serious, barrel aged examples • In Napa, examples from Carneros, Mount Veeder, Oakville and Rutherford tend to show ripe blackberry and black raspberry notes • In Chile, Merlot thrives in the Apalta region of Colchagua • Chilean Merlot is a catch-all to include wine that is made from a blend of indiscriminate amounts of Merlot and Carmenere • Carménère being more strongly flavored with green pepper notes and Merlot having softer fruit with chocolate notes

  8. White Merlot • Reputedly first marketed in the late 1990s • Some producers are Sutter Home Winery, Forest Glen, and Beringer • Made the same way as White Zinfandel.

  9. Taste, and Aroma

  10. Food Parings • Cabernet-like Merlots pair well with grilled and charred meats • Softer, fruitier Merlots share many of the same food pairing affinities with Pinot noir and go well with dishes like salmon, mushroom based dishes and greens like chard and radicchio. • Light bodied Merlots pair well with shellfish like prawns or scallops • Avoid pairing with strong blue veined chesses, and spicy foods; as it will over power the fruit flavors of Merlot.

  11. Conclusion • Merlot is a soft light red wine • Is very similar to Cabernet Sauvignon • One of the most widely produced types of wine • Can be used to make Ice Cream! • Because of the low tannin it pairs well with lighter foods but not with spicy foods

  12. Work Cited • Merlot Wine. Web. 12 Sept. 2010. <http://www.merlotwine.net/>. • "Merlot Wine Information." Lisa Shea'sWineIntro - Basic Wine Tips, FAQS, Information. Web. 12 Sept. 2010. <http://www.wineintro.com/types/merlot.html>. • "Merlot." Wine Information, Education, Appreciation | Professional Friends of Wine. Web. 12 Sept. 2010. <http://www.winepros.org/wine101/grape_profiles/merlot.htm>. • "Bordeaux Region Wine Geography and Climate Guide." French Wine Guide. Web. 12 Sept. 2010. <http://www.terroir-france.com/wine/bordeaux_region.htm>.

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