Merlot

Synonyms: bigney, crabutet, langon, médoc noir, merlau, merlot noir, picard, sémillon rouge.

Together with cabernet sauvignon, it is the most widely planted grape variety in the world, with over 266,000 ha, 112,000 of which are in France. Early budding and medium ripening, it is sensitive to mildew, botrytis and overripening. For the latter reason, it requires cool and not very hot climates. It is responsible for the warmth and softness of Bordeaux de Pomerol, in which it represents at least 85% of the blend, and only reaches majority proportions in the reds of Saint Emilion.

In Spain it has a good implantation, more than 12,000 hectares, mainly located in Castilla la Mancha, Catalonia, Aragon and Navarra.

The wines obtained from this variety are different depending on the soil and climate, but since it is sensitive to excess heat and overripeness, in certain Spanish regions it tends to produce wines with high alcohol and candied nuances. It is in those cooler, less sunny regions, or where human action is more vigilant of the sun exposure of the cluster, where more balanced wines are produced, with a round tannin. Depending on its greater or lesser maturity, it can produce herbaceous aromas.