Merlot

Merlot is a major Vitis vinifera red wine grape originating in the Bordeaux region of France, where DNA analysis shows it is an offspring of Cabernet Franc. Its name derives from the French for young blackbird. Merlot produces loose clusters of medium blue-black berries and ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, making it suitable for a wider range of sites. It yields soft, supple, fruit-forward red wines with plum and black-cherry character and gentler tannins, and is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to round out the blend. Widely planted in Bordeaux, California, Italy, and Chile, the vine is vigorous and relatively adaptable, though its early budding can expose it to spring frost. Growers value its approachable wine and reliable ripening.