Originally from Bordeaux , an area where some of the most prestigious wines are born, Merlot is a black grape variety widespread internationally, in particular due to its high adaptability.

Generally these grapes are the most faithful companions of their brother Cabernet Sauvignon , also of Bordeaux origin, and together they create some of the most loved blends. But due to its peculiar characteristics, interpretations of pure Merlot with great personality are increasingly found throughout the world. First of all, in Italy this vine is widespread in every territory: from Friuli to Alto Adige , Veneto, Emilia Romagna, but also in Tuscany , especially in the Bolgheri area , and in Sicily .

Merlot comes in two different versions depending on the climatic conditions in which the grapes ripen. The most common is the one in which the grapes are grown in environments where a warm or moderate climate prevails, giving rise to a wine with characteristic hints of wild berries, mainly black berries such as blueberries, blackcurrants, plums, cherries but also fresh herbaceous notes of undergrowth, characterized by a soft and velvety body in perfect balance with the full-bodied tannins and high alcohol content. The other interpretation is more elegant and is possible in colder climatic conditions which is characterized by greater tannicity and acidity. In both cases, Merlot almost always undergoes an aging process in oak barrels, gaining spicy and fragrant notes of vanilla and coffee.

It is the red wine loved for its persuasive elegance, its soft and rich fruit, its smooth profile, its balanced, long and persistent sip, without sharp edges or roughness. An enveloping and rounded wine, which has conquered the palates of connoisseurs from all over the world. Merlot was born in the Bordeaux area from a spontaneous cross between Cabernet Franc and Magdalene Noir de Charentes. Today it is one of the main grapes of the famous Bordeaux blends.

Merlot in France

If in the Médoc region it is a complementary grape to Cabernet Sauvignon in the Saint-Emilion area it is the most cultivated vine and often offered in purity, especially in the Pomerol area, a true paradise for this extraordinary grape. In this area the gravelly soils of alluvial matrix have sedimented with sands rich in iron minerals and clays, creating a mix that has proved perfect for the needs of the vine. The most famous Merlots in the world are born in this AOC, which stand out for the finesse of the aromas of small dark berries, for their extraordinary harmony and complexity and for a refined evolution towards balsamic and mentholated notes.

The territory of Pomerol was not classified in 1855, but over the centuries a scale of values has nevertheless been created and today the most highly rated labels of all come from: Château Petrus, Château La Fleur, Château L'Eglise Clinet, Château Le Pin, Château La Violette, Château Trotanoy, Château Housanna, Château L'Evangile, Château Clinet, Vieux Château Certan.

Merlot in Italy

Merlot is one of the most widespread varieties in the world and is present in almost all European states, as well as in the countries of the New World. In Italy, it arrived especially after the crisis caused by phylloxera. The need to replant new vineyards has often directed the choice towards the most famous French varieties, which are easier to market than many ancient native vines. The vine quickly settled in the Triveneto area, in areas that reminded me of the pebbly and gravelly soils of Bordeaux, such as the alluvial areas of Greve del Friuli or the Piave area. The vine then spread throughout the peninsula, finding especially in the area of the Tuscan coast, Bolgheri and its hinterland, the pedoclimatic conditions to express itself at high quality levels, with a decidedly Mediterranean, mature, rich and intense face.

It is also cultivated with excellent results in Alto Adige , in particular in the Cortaccia area, the sunniest and warmest in the region, in Veneto in the Colli Berici and Breganze areas and in Umbria. For those wishing to deepen their knowledge of Italian Merlot, we recommend some absolutely prestigious labels, among the absolute best versions of this noble vine: Toscana Rosso IGT Masseto Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, Toscana Merlot IGT Messorio Le Macchiole, Toscana IGT l'Apparita Castello di Ama, Toscana Rosso IGT Redigaffi Tua Rita, Suvereto Docg I'Rennero Gualdo del Re, Delle Venezie Merlot IGT Sante Rosso Cecchetto Giorgio, Veneto Merlot IGT Crosara Maculan, Lazio Merlot IGT Montiano Falesco.

Toscana IGT Rosso Redigaffi 2020

Toscana IGT Rosso Redigaffi 2020 Tua Rita

0,75 ℓ
96
95
254 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  338.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Lazio IGT Rosso Montiano 2020

Lazio IGT Rosso Montiano 2020 Famiglia Cotarella

0,75 ℓ
92
94
64.90 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  86.53 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Toscana IGT La Lallera 2020

Toscana IGT La Lallera 2020 Borgo San Frediano

0,75 ℓ
95
Discount 40%
11.90 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  15.87 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 19.90 € 
Lowest price: 19.90 € 
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Toscana IGT Massetino 2021

Toscana IGT Massetino 2021 Masseto

0,75 ℓ
96
98
392 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  522.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Only 5 left
Bolgheri DOC Guado al Tasso Cont'Ugo 2022

Bolgheri DOC Guado al Tasso Cont'Ugo 2022 Marchesi Antinori

0,75 ℓ
94
94
46.60 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  62.13 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Bolgheri Superiore DOC Bell'Aja 2021

Bolgheri Superiore DOC Bell'Aja 2021 San Felice

0,75 ℓ
95
93
63 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  84 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Cortona Merlot DOC In Violas 2019

Cortona Merlot DOC In Violas 2019 Poliziano

0,75 ℓ
Sale
16.80 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  22.40 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 19.80 € 
Lowest price: 16.80 € 
Halloween
Ending soon
Merlot Drago Rosso 2021

Merlot Drago Rosso 2021 Paladin

0,75 ℓ
10.90 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  14.53 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC Les Roches de Yon-Figeac 2014

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC Les Roches de Yon-Figeac 2014 Château Yon-Figeac

0,75 ℓ
Quantity discount 5%
28.40 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  37.87 €/ℓ
for at least 6 bottles
incl. VAT and taxes
Regular price: 29.90 €
Toscana IGT Merlot Quercegobbe 2021

Toscana IGT Merlot Quercegobbe 2021 Petra

0,75 ℓ
25.90 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  34.53 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Toscana IGT Rosso Volta di Bertinga 2016

Toscana IGT Rosso Volta di 2016 Bertinga

0,75 ℓ
97
98 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  130.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
Napa Valley Merlot AVA 2021

Napa Valley Merlot AVA 2021 Duckhorn

0,75 ℓ
Discount 14%
50.50 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  67.33 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 59 € 
Lowest price: 59 € 
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Only 4 left
Friuli Merlot DOC 2022

Friuli Merlot DOC 2022 Cormòns

0,75 ℓ
Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia
Discount 23%
8.70 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  11.60 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 11.40 € 
Lowest price: 11.40 € 
Halloween
Terre Siciliane IGT Merlot 2020

Terre Siciliane IGT Merlot 2020 Cantine Fina

0,75 ℓ
Discount 19%
10.80 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  14.40 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 13.40 € 
Lowest price: 13.40 € 
Halloween
Trevenezie IGT Rosato Rosa dei Masi 2023

Trevenezie IGT Rosato Rosa dei 2023 Masi

0,75 ℓ
Italy, Veneto
Discount 11%
11.90 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  15.87 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 13.50 € 
Lowest price: 13.50 € 
Halloween
Toscana IGT Contessa di Radda 2021

Toscana IGT Contessa di Radda 2021 Geografico

0,75 ℓ
Discount 16%
9.50 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  12.67 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 11.40 € 
Lowest price: 11.40 € 
Halloween
Pomerol AOC La Ballade 2021

Pomerol AOC La Ballade 2021 Château La Pointe

0,75 ℓ
France, Bordeaux
Sale
23.90 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  31.87 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Was: 39.90 € 
Lowest price: 23.90 € 
Halloween
Only 5 left
Toscana IGT Rosso L'Apparita 2020

Toscana IGT Rosso L'Apparita 2020 Castello di Ama

0,75 ℓ
95
95
250 
per bottle  (0,75 ℓ)  333.33 €/ℓ
incl. VAT and taxes
Free shipping
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