Photo by VIVC - Vitis International Variety Catalogue
Description
Merlot comes from the Bordeaux vineyards and is a cross of Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire des Charentes. The bunches are small to medium and winged, with medium berries. It makes round, powerful, deeply coloured wines that are rich in alcohol, with relatively low acidity and supple tannins, and they take well to oak ageing. It ripens mid-season, earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Characteristics
Black wine grape; small to medium, winged bunches; medium berries; round, supple, deeply coloured wine with low acidity; mid-season ripening (September); early budbreak; moderately to strongly vigorous with many side shoots; risk of poor fruit set; sensitive to winter and spring frost; particularly sensitive to downy mildew; little affected by powdery mildew
Growing Tips
Merlot buds early and is sensitive to winter and spring frosts, so choose a sheltered site. It sends out many side shoots and suckers, so needs regular shoot thinning and a good trellis. Prune it short. It is particularly sensitive to downy mildew, so focus spraying there. It copes poorly with severe drought.