Merlot

Merlot is by far the most widely planted grape in the Bordeaux region and the third most planted black variety in France. It is a distant relative of Cabernet Sauvignon; the main difference being that the skin of the Merlot grape is thinner, allowing Merlot to ripen earlier and have a lower tannin level. This gives Merlot a reputation for making soft, round and drinkable wines with low acidity and rich, plum-like fruit, almost jammy in its concentration, with a pleasantly round texture.

Merlot is not well suited for long aging, and is often used solely as a blending wine, softening and rounding out the edges of the more astringent Cabernet Sauvignon in the Bordeaux wines, bringing them a more mellow aspect. However, the grape is increasingly being planted, particularly in the USA, Australia, Chile and the Languedoc, for the production of varietal wine. When varietally bottled, Merlot has fruity and herbaceous flavours similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, but also has a smooth, lush mouthfeel, without the bite of tannins.