Merlot grape

The Merlot is a black grape variety resulting from the crossing of Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire des Charentes, originating from the Basque Country and the Poitou-Charentes region (France) respectively. Today, it is the second most widely planted black grape variety in the world, with a total of 266,000 hectares, only behind Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ampelography

Merlot is a long-cycle variety with early bud break and ripening (two weeks earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon). The vines are vigorous, with medium yields and an upright growth habit. The bunches are small, loose, and cylindrical in shape. The berries are small, conical, and bluish-black in color. The skin is relatively thin, firm, and low in tannins. The pulp is colorless, soft, and slightly sweet.

It is listed under number 7,657 in the Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC), a database of various species and varieties of the Vitis genus.

Agronomic characteristics

It adapts very well to cold climates, especially in clay-iron soils. In very warm climates, however, it quickly loses its acidity. It is a variety that does not adapt well to drought and is quite sensitive to early frosts. Due to its thin skin, under conditions of high heat and humidity, it is very susceptible to downy mildew and botrytis. In contrast, it is very resistant to esca (a wood disease).

The variety was first introduced in the Penedès in the late 1960s. Today, Merlot wines can also be found in Catalonia, Navarra, Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Extremadura.

Oenological characteristics

It produces high-quality wines that are smooth, velvety, and with very good acidity. Its considerable content of tannins and polyphenols makes it a suitable variety for producing wines with long ageing potential.

It is known for its aromas of red fruit (strawberry) and chocolate. In cold climates, it develops aromas of red berries, while in warm climates it shows notes of blackberry and plum. As the wines age, they may develop aromas of vanilla and bay leaves.

Our Merlot vineyards are located in Sant Martí Sarroca, in the Alt Penedès region, on well-drained soils, at low altitude, with good sun exposure.

Origin of the name and synonyms

The name comes from the Occitan diminutive of merla (Turdus merula), probably due to its resemblance to the bird’s black plumage.

The Merlot grape is also known as bégney, bidal, bidalhe, bigney, bigney rouge, bini, bini ruzh, bioney, bordeleza belcha (Basque Country), crabutet, crabutet noir, crabutet noir merlau, hebigney, higney, higney rouge, langon, lecchumskij, médoc noir, merlau, merlaut, merlaut noir, merle, merle petite, merleau, merlô, merlot noir, merlot black, merlot blauer, merlot crni, merlot nero, merlott, merlou, odzalesi, odzhaleshi, odzhaleshi legkhumskii, petit merle, picard, pikard, plan medre, planet medok, plant du médoc, plant médoc, saint-macaire, same de la canan, same dou flaube, sème de la canau, sème dou flube, semilhon rouge, semilhoum rouge, semilhoun rouge, sémillon rouge, sud des graves, vidal, vini ticinesi, vitrai and vitraille.