General information about the Merlot vine variety :

The name is derived from the French “le Merle”, the blackbird, which according to tradition has a special preference for this early-ripening red wine variety. In France, Merlot has its historical roots in Bordeaux, probably as early as the 15th century as a descendant of Cabernet Franc. In the 19th century, the variety was extensively described by Victor Rendu in his standard work “Ampélographie française”. Due to its early ripeness, the wines reach an aromatic and tannic physiological ripeness even in the shorter growing season of the northern growing regions, which explains its popularity and share in Bordeaux. In addition to its positive cultivation characteristics, Merlot also shows its sensory assets. The variety does not impose itself in the cuvées, but supports the blending partners with its fullness, bright ruby ​​red colour and discreet tannin structure. The first-class Merlot wines from “Chateau Pétrus” are among the most expensive cult wines from Bordeaux. It is also a heavyweight in terms of cultivation. With a vineyard area of ​​200,000 hectares, Merlot ranks sixth in the world ranking of most popular grape varieties.

Grape :

The typically cylindrical, loose-grained grapes are medium-sized and partially shouldered. The round, thin-skinned berries are black-blue in colour and medium-sized with juicy flesh.

Wine :

The wine is full and round in the mouth due to the moderate acidity and tannin structure and the high ripeness. Typical aromas range from black cherries and currants, ripe plums to dark chocolate and spicy aromas of cloves and juniper.

Growing advice for Merlot vine:

The variety has a medium to strong growth and prefers deep soil with a good water supply. Due to the early budding, Merlot is very sensitive to May frosts and rather moderately frost resistant. On warm, early and well-fed sites, an early to medium ripening, possibly very high yields and a high alcohol content can be expected. Parallel to the early ripening, the acidity drops rapidly as the ripeness increases.

Preparation for Merlot vine :

Put your vine in a bucket of water for 24 hours. This way it can suckle itself full again before planting out.

Ground preparation :

You can improve your soil with lava grit (if lime soil) or with bentonite and lava flour (if sandy soil).

Planting out a grapevine:

Make a hole with a diameter of 10 cm and +/- 30 cm deep with a ground drill or spade. And plant the vine with the graft just above the ground. The vine may come out of the ground between 5 and 10 cm. Plant your vines between May 1 and May 15 and leave 1 meter between the plants and 1.5 to 1.8 meters between the rows.

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