Merlot, Explained
Merlot is the world's second most planted red grape and one of the most misunderstood. At its best — in Pomerol, Saint-Émilion, and Ticino — it produces some of the most compelling red wines made anywhere.
· 6 min read
Key takeaways
- Merlot's reputation was damaged by a decade of bland over-produced examples. The grape itself is not the problem — poor viticulture and over-cropping are.
- Pomerol and Saint-Émilion on Bordeaux's right bank are the spiritual home of Merlot — including Petrus (virtually 100% Merlot) and Cheval Blanc.
- Ticino in southern Switzerland produces excellent Merlot that is among the best Swiss wine of any colour.
- Merlot softens faster than Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink most Merlot between four and twelve years of age.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Merlot a good wine?
- Yes — at its best, it is exceptional. The right-bank Bordeaux wines of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, including Petrus and Cheval Blanc, are among the world's greatest and most expensive red wines. The quality problem with Merlot is not the grape but the volume of over-cropped, industrial Merlot produced in the 1990s and 2000s. Quality Merlot from a serious producer bears no resemblance to these commercial examples.
- What does Merlot taste like?
- Classic Merlot: plum, black cherry, chocolate, and a velvety, round mouthfeel with softer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Quality expressions add dried herbs, tobacco, and a mocha richness. The right-bank Bordeaux style adds truffle and earth. Ticino Merlot tends toward a darker, more rustic fruitiness with Italian character.
- What is the difference between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Merlot has softer tannins, rounder texture, and riper, plummier fruit than Cabernet Sauvignon. It reaches drinkability earlier (three to five years for quality Merlot versus eight to twelve for serious Cabernet) and has a shorter optimal window. Cabernet Sauvignon is more structured, more age-worthy, and more mineral. In Bordeaux, the two are almost always blended — the combination is more complete than either alone.
- Where can I find good Swiss Merlot?
- Ticino, Switzerland's Italian-speaking southern canton, is the home of Swiss Merlot. Look for wines bearing the VITI quality seal — a guarantee of Ticinese origin and minimum quality standards. Producers like Vinattieri, Tamborini, and Brivio make wines of genuine quality. Ticino Merlot is significantly undervalued relative to its quality and rarely found outside Switzerland — one of the best reasons to explore Swiss wine directly.
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