Merlot grapes (merlot)

We think that professionals and real connoisseurs will agree with us that Merlot grapes are considered one of the most popular grapes in our time. This grape variety belongs in accordance with the classification adopted in winemaking and viticulture to the technical varieties of the plant. This means that Merlot grapes are great for producing the world-famous red wine of the same name.

For the first time, Merlot grapes began to be cultivated in modern France back in the early Middle Ages. True, in written historical documents about Merlot grapes, only references dating from the 18th century have been preserved, when the variety was officially named the most popular among all varieties of grapes. Merlot's grapes were written in the winery book "Les grands vins de Saint-Emilion Pomerol Fronsac. "

According to international statistics, Merlot grapes are the second largest in terms of growing and processing after the recognized leader of grapes Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot grapes are distinguished by a diverse palette of colors, as well as tones and halftones in the taste of the plant's fruits. Professional tasters note that the taste of Merlot grapes combines fruity, vegetable and spicy flavors. It is believed that at first the fruity taste of Merlot grapes manifests itself, which absorbed the taste shades of blueberries, plums, mulberries and cherries.

Then a spicy and slightly vegetable note appears in the taste of merlot. Tasters say that the second stage shows mint, mushroom and at the same time spicy rosemary or fennel tastes of Merlot grapes. All the above shades of taste are inherent not only in Merlot grapes, but also in the eponymous red wine, which is produced on the basis of this variety. However, after some time and aging in special wooden barrels, Merlot's red wine acquires a distinctive caramel-chocolate as well as vanilla flavor, with coffee hues in the drink's aftertaste.

According to one legend, Merlot grapes got their original name thanks to the French word merle, which literally means "thrush. " The thing is that the berries of Merlot grapes are similar in color to black thrush. Merlot grapes are grown on the Mediterranean coast, as well as in Algeria and in the southern regions of our vast homeland. However, the most popular is red wine, which was produced from the Mediterranean grape Merlot.

It is believed that it was in the Mediterranean region that nature created simply the ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality Merlot grapes. It is noteworthy that in its appearance, Merlot grapes are somewhat similar to Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. However, only spherical in shape and black berries of Merlot grapes are called sepage monarchs in winemaking.