In the New World, many Merlots are brewed from a single variety, and the name of the grape is directly printed on the wine label. New World wines are generally not suitable for aging, and wines from very young vintages are generally drinkable. In Chile, Merlot seems to have found its own home. The quality is generally outstanding and it is not expensive. Good Merlot also has a velvety texture. I remember that at a wine tasting in Shanghai, I was deeply impressed by the bright and delicate wine of Casa Lapostolle. In the United States, Washington State performs well, while in California, the wine tastes sweeter, suitable for drinking before meals and with Chinese food. The reason why it is sweeter is because California has high daytime temperatures and sugar accumulates quickly. It is found in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

In China, the 2001 Merlot from Shanxi Yiyuan is worth recommending, followed by the Merlot from Sino-French Farm that has not yet been launched.

If you are drinking dry red, Merlot is the best choice for beginners, because its taste is not as astringent as Cabernet Sauvignon and is easier to drink.

Origin conditions Generally speaking, the beauty of a region’s scenery is matched by the quality of its wine. You can experience this law in any well-known wine-producing region. Saint-Emilion can be roughly subdivided into four small production areas. The best wines come from the 6,000 acres of vineyards located on calcareous slopes closest to the village. General Saint-Emilion wine is produced from 5,000 acres of vineyards located in the plains, near the banks of the Gironde River, and its soil is sandy. To the west of the village and between the Baumron production area is another production area with 3,000 acres of permeability and excellent irrigation conditions, which is the production area of ??high-quality wine. The last and most premium area is only 150 acres, shared by two famous wineries, Chateau Figeac and Chateau Cheval Blanc. It is located in the far west and has granite soil. Both wineries have a high proportion of Cabernet Franc in their wines. Among the wines of Figeac Winery, there is also 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is known as the most Medoc-style Saint-Emilion wine.

Generally speaking, tasty Merlot wines go well with rich-flavored dishes. Vinexpo, the Bordeaux wine event held every two years, also brings opportunities to the wines of Saint-Emilion. The Groupement des Premiers Grands Crus Classés, an organization composed of the best wineries in Saint-Emilion, organizes a sumptuous top wine dinner at Vinexpo every two years, inviting Michelin chefs to prepare for the guests The most exquisite food and wine pairing.

Merlot Although the quality of Saint-Emilion wine is excellent, like other Bordeaux wines, Saint-Emilion wine has too many grands crus (a winery level). So the best way to understand the wines here is to remember the name of the winery and the name of the winemaker. In addition, like wines from other places in France, the vintage is also very important. It is best to avoid the 2007 wines and choose the 2008 wines for better quality and lower prices.

Saint-Emilion is still a place full of places of interest. If you have the opportunity to come to Saint-Emilion, don’t get yourself drunk at the beginning. , because the medieval churches, underground rock paintings, Roman relics, etc. are all valuable. Climbing up to the bell tower of the church you will have an amazing view of the vineyards of Saint-Emilion, which is a moment of absolute enjoyment.

The movie "Sideways" has influenced many people's wine preferences. Ever since the protagonist in the film shouted: "No Merlot!", the sales of Merlot wine in California have been declining. Even grape growers had to uproot Merlot and replace it with the more fashionable Cabernet Sauvignon. Or Pinot Noir. However, what people don’t remember is that at the beginning of the film, the bottle of Cheval Blanc wine that the two brothers drank in the dilapidated car that made the protagonist heartbroken was made from Merlot-based grapes. of. This world-famous winery is located in Saint-Emilion, the Right Bank region of Bordeaux, France.

The soil and climate conditions in Saint-Emilion are very suitable for the growth of Merlot grapes. The cooler climate makes the grapes mature longer, and the wine produced can be very long. Clearly express the characteristics of its soil. Saint-Emilion is a well-known legal grape-growing area on the right bank of Bordeaux. It has 2,000 vineyards and nearly 14,000 acres. Like the famous Pomerol region next to it, it is famous for its Merlot grape; the wine it produces is softer and easier than the Cabernet Sauvignon wine produced in the Medoc region on the left bank. Be accepted by people.

So, world-famous wineries such as Chateau Angélus such as Cheval Blanc, Chateau Canon, Clos Fourtet, etc. were born in Saint-Emilion. Merlot wines here are often made from a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes, and have good fruity aromas and complex layers.

For those who are just beginning to understand Bordeaux, it is wise to first understand Saint-Emilion. This is not just because of the wine here, but also because Saint-Emilion itself is the most worth-visiting medieval pastoral in the Bordeaux region. These little vineyards are all easily accessible, one right after the other. The low stone walls, rolling hills and medieval village scenery make this place very attractive. The owners of wineries generally live in their vineyards and welcome visitors to visit their cellars and vineyards.

In the 2nd century AD, the Romans opened vineyards here; then Saint-Emilion (Saint-Emilion) became a religious holy place. In the 8th century, a monk named Emilion started A village was built here, surrounded by golden limestone. In 1999, this area was selected as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The reason why California Merlot is not highly praised is mainly because its climate is relatively hot and the grapes ripen too quickly, which results in the wines being produced relatively simple and with a jammy taste.

Times have changed, and Merlot is once again favored by American wine lovers.

Merlot In the year before December 7, 2007, the sales volume of Merlot wine in the U.S. market increased by 6% compared with 2006, with Blackstone Winery’s Merlot having the highest sales volume. , sales volume increased by 11.6% in January alone.

Black Diamond Merlot is the best-selling red wine in the United States, accounting for 16% of the U.S. high-end Merlot ($8-10.99/750ml) market share. In addition, Black Diamond is also the number one selling brand in all high-end red wine categories and has maintained a double-digit growth momentum for several years.

Black Diamond winemaker Gary Sitton said that the revival of Merlot lies in its enduring charm - soft tannins and a medium-long aftertaste. Hinton said: "American wine drinkers may be in a brief period of impatience, but in the end they still like the velvety soft texture of Merlot."

Obviously, Hinton's remarks have been confirmed by the market, and the U.S. wine market It is still dominated by the three major varieties of Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, accounting for 45% of total wine sales, of which Merlot sales are double that of Pinot Noir.

With the release of the 2006 Black Diamond Merlot, the share of Black Diamond products in the high-end market in the United States will continue to increase. Hinton said: “2006 was a great vintage with cooler weather and we kept the berries on the branches longer until they reached ideal ripeness. The 2006 Merlot we made had rich black cherries. Aromatic, rich fruit aroma, extremely soft tannins and a long aftertaste.

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