Red grape
Merlot
A red grape of plum and black cherry with medium tannin and a round texture, and the dominant variety across much of Bordeaux's Right Bank.
At a glance
- Plum
- Medium tannin
- Round texture
Recognize it
Round, medium tannin with medium acidity and a broad, plush body. Plum and black cherry are common markers. It usually feels gentler than Cabernet Sauvignon from the same place.
Similar grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
Similar medium to full body and dark fruit.
Difference Cabernet Sauvignon is firmer, more tannic and more cassis-driven.
Cabernet Franc
Similar medium body and red-to-dark fruit.
Difference Cabernet Franc is lighter, leafier and more floral.
Explore
Wines made from Merlot
- Red Bordeaux
- Saint-Émilion
- Médoc
- Margaux
- Pomerol
- Pauillac
- Pessac-Léognan
- Graves
- Bergerac
- Saint-Estèphe
- Saint-Julien
- Bordeaux Supérieur
- Haut-Médoc
- Lalande-de-Pomerol
- Bordeaux Clairet
- Bordeaux Rosé