What does merlot add to a Bordeaux blend?

What does merlot add to a Bordeaux blend?

Merlot adds softness and sweet fruit flavors to Bordeaux blends to offset the rough tannins and acidity of Cabernet Sauvignon – the second most planted variety in the area. Merlot’s verdant quality and tolerance of cool temperatures make it a favorite in Bordeaux, where other vines often prove less reliable.

Is Bordeaux wine a Merlot?

Bordeaux refers to a wine from Bordeaux, France. Over 86% of Bordeaux wines are red wines made with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Both grapes are originated from Bordeaux.

What is a Bordeaux red blend?

The phrase “Bordeaux-style red blend” may be used informally to describe red wines produced from a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and to a lesser extent Carmenère and Malbec.

What blends well with Merlot?

Cabernet is commonly blended with Merlot. If Syrah is blended, it’s with Grenache and Mourvèdre. What’s interesting, is you rarely, if ever, find Cabernet with Pinot Noir.

Are red wine blends good?

Red blends make up a massive category in the wine industry for a few reasons: Most importantly, they’re fairly inexpensive, and appeal to a range of audiences. Bottles below $15 tend to be sweeter and richer wines that are juicy and easy-drinking.

What is the difference between Meritage and Bordeaux?

Meritage is a name for red and white Bordeaux-style wines without infringing on the Bordeaux (France) region’s legally protected designation of origin. Winemakers must license the Meritage trademark from its owner, the California-based Meritage Alliance.

Are Bordeaux wines blends?

As with the reds, white Bordeaux wines are usually blends, most commonly of Sémillon and a smaller proportion of Sauvignon blanc. Other permitted grape varieties are Sauvignon gris, Ugni blanc, Colombard, Merlot blanc, Ondenc and Mauzac.

Are Bordeaux wines always blends?

All Bordeaux wine from the Medoc and Pessac Leognan are blends. Most of those blends utilize Cabernet Sauvignon for the majority of the blend, followed by Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.

Is Bordeaux sweet or dry?

Taste and Flavor Profile The red Bordeaux blend is a dry, medium to full-bodied wine high in tannins with medium acidity. Because a Bordeaux blend can be made with several different red wine grapes from different regions in differing proportions, the color, amount of acidity, texture, and exact flavors can vary.

What goes into a Bordeaux blend?

Typical top-quality Châteaux blends are 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Merlot. This is typically referred to as the “Bordeaux blend”. Merlot tends to predominate in Saint-Émilion, Pomerol and the other right bank appellations.

What are the most popular wine blends?

And some daring modern winemakers produce unusual, color-blended wines with vivid results. Among the most common traditional color blends is Champagne, which generally combines Chardonnay, a white grape, with red Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier.