Every wine lover has drunk a Merlot more than once! But do you really know this extraordinary grape/wine?
What is certain is that Merlot is among the most widespread red grape varieties in the world. In practice, it is grown almost everywhere.
They call it the '' globe-trotting vine ''; born and raised on French soil, originally from the Gironde region, Bordeaux to be precise, but soon decided to become independent from its homeland and become great. Its international fame is proof that it succeeded, indeed!, reaching the United States, Australia, Chile, South Africa, Brazil, New Zealand.
THE GRAPE VARIETY
Among the most curious aspects of this vine is above all its name. Although it is known - especially in France - with the terms Médoc Nir, Sémillon rouge and Picard , Merlot is the most universally known name, derived from the French term for "blackbird". This particular association could depend on the fact that the grapes of this vine take on a very dark color, almost black, similar to the feathers of the blackbird , but it is also likely that it is called this way because Its early ripening makes it a very tasty meal for this species .
Merlot is a vine variety capable of adapting to different climatic conditions and to variable soils. This great adaptability is one of the secrets of its diffusion. Furthermore, Merlot is a vine that has a rather early ripening and it's quite productive.
A LE LASE, it is the earliest variety among the red grapes. It is usually harvested around mid-August, often even earlier than certain white grape varieties.
In any case, it prefers fresh hilly soils, mainly sandy and clayey, capable of retaining water and avoiding even earlier ripening. In these environments it can express itself to its full potential.
The bunch is of medium size, as are its grapes which are characterised by a compact, resistant, pruinose skin and a typical blue colour, very dark and tending towards black.
The history of Merlot in Italy begins at the end of the 19th century, when this grape variety arrived in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. It is said that the spread of this vine is due to the interest of Friulian winemakers in the new grape varieties that were emerging in France. Thanks to the similar characteristics of the Friulian soil compared to that of the Gironde, Merlot adapts perfectly to the soils of the region and begins to produce wines with marked organoleptic qualities. Over the years, the Merlot vine spread and, thanks to its excellent results, became one of the most cultivated grape varieties not only in Friuli-Venezia Giulia but also in Veneto and Trentino, and then arrived in practically all the Italian regions, giving life to wines of considerable value (think, for example, of the creation of the famous Supertuscans in the Bolgheri area).
THE WINE
It is difficult to define unique characteristics for wines that derive from this grape variety given its enormous diffusion throughout the world, the environmental and climatic influences as well as the different winemaking and refinement processes that generate different products each time.
Delicious and velvety, Merlot is at the centre of constant and heated debates among winemakers and enthusiasts for its versatile nature capable of giving life, on the one hand, to accommodating and flattering wines but also to wines of extraordinary structure, class and elegance.
It is also known for its blend with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and to a lesser extent Petit Verdot and Carmenere (the so-called Bordeaux blend ), giving birth to famous, great and award-winning wines throughout the world.
From an organoleptic point of view, wines obtained from Merlot grapes, whether pure or predominant, present common characteristics. In particular, they are soft and velvety wines on the palate, typically fruity , with hints of red fruits, and with delicate herbaceous notes .
When you are undecided about the type of wine to give as a gift, when you don't know how to choose the right bottle at a restaurant, when you are confused about food pairings... opt for a MERLOT! and 99.9% of the time you won't regret it!
And now all you have to do is try FIAMMA , our interpretation of pure Merlot.
Some have called it a "flattering" wine, others call it a "pleaser", "affectionate" terms that indicate that its soft and persuasive organoleptic profile, its enveloping and velvety texture, its well-defined but at the same time rounded and soft tannin conquer even the most demanding palates.
A very versatile wine, our FIAMMA is a perfect companion at the table , suitable for the entire meal, but which gives its best with some specific flavors. In appetizers or aperitifs, for example, it pairs perfectly with cured meats and mature cheeses, even better if characterized by blue-veined notes.
Also excellent with first and second courses. Appreciate pasta and risotto , both with delicate and bold flavours, while it can be easily paired both white and red meats, but also more pungent flavours such as game , which it pairs well with thanks to its defined tannicity and robustness. It also pairs well with fatty fish such as eel, or particularly tasty ones, such as stewed cod.
In short, as we usually say during tastings, Merlot is to Wine as the color black is to fashion. Timeless, always elegant, perfect for every occasion and goes well with everything!!
Cheers!!