Merlot - The French Italian Wine

Found almost is every wine producing country on the planet and used predominantly as a softener even in the most famous wines but now gaining ground as a 100% variety, Merlot has gained notoriety in recent years as a popular, smooth, well rounded wine in its own right that easily compliments most meals.

Merlot is a French grape but now found globally. Originally from Bordeaux where it is often used to blend with world’s most famous and most expensive wines. Some of the world's greatest wines are composed almost entirely of Merlot, such as the sought-after Bordeaux wine Chateau Petrus and other blends of Bordeaux superior.

This versatile grape has had an international surge in plantings over the two last decades, with production soaring to new heights in California, South America, Italy, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. The reasons are well known. Merlot blends very well and is also highly sought after straight varietal. Its finest expression is found in the delicate reds of the Bordeaux appellations of St Emilion and Pomerol.

However, Merlot wines have increased in popularity in recent years with increased production of both blended wines as well as 100 percent Merlot wines. When added to grapes that are tannin and intense and/or acidic, the Merlot can soften and add roundness and fruity aromas to the resulting wine. Merlot is one of the major varieties, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Petite Verdot and some others that are included in the production of the immensely popular Bordeaux-style wines known as Super-Tuscans.

One of the best qualities about Merlot is its ability to match well with all different types of food. Try favourite winter dishes like a beef stew, a roast, baked lamb chops or experiment with chili dishes, rich, Italian-style, red sauced pastas, and even salads. It goes well with an array of dishes and many hosts turn to Merlot for a safe bet! The soft, fleshy nature of Merlot ensures it partners with all foods. The supple sweet fruit characters of some Merlots are best to match with pastas, roasted meats or Mediterranean vegetables and enhance flavours perfectly.

The styles of Italian Merlot wines vary considerably from region to region and from producer to producer. With regard to just pure Merlot (i.e., 100 percent Merlot) wines, the styles of wines produced run the gamut from full-bodied, oakly, international-style wines to those that are varietal, pure and silky smooth with soft textures and classic Merlot flavours.

Indicated below are what I consider to be two of Italy’s best and most inexpensive Merlot wines from the lesser known region of Le Marche in Central Italy. The first vineyards of Merlot were planted in Italy after the grape epidemic “phylloxera” (daktulosphaira vitifoliae of 1855). It is found in large qualities in Veneto but used in all of Italy as a softening agent.

However outside Veneto there are small family wine makers like the Gagliardi who produces small quantities of quality and exceptional 100% merlot wines. A third generation family wine producers since 1940’s are famous for their Italian white wine Verdicchio di Matelica in DOCQ quality called Maccagnano and their DOC Verdicchio di Matelica Selezione. They have three hectares of pure Merlot grapes from which they produce their IGT Merlot and their IGT Ardiale Merlot wine.

Merlot Indicazione Geografica Tipica priced at Euro 8 per bottle is produced with 100% Merlot grapes cultivated in the hills round the Roman City of Matelica about 450 metres above sea level. The wine is ruby red in colour with purple tinge, has fruity wood aromas, soft flavour medium body, and tannin. The wine is matured in French oak barrels, for about one year. The Ardiale Merlot Indicazione Geografica Tipica is priced at 20 euro a bottle , and produced from hand selected Merlot grapes and matured in French oak for two years.

Vini Gagliardi has its wine producing facility close to the center of Matelica in via A.Merloni 5, 62024 Matelica, Le Marche, Italy. Visit Vini Gagliardi producer of Verdicchio di Matelica website.

Vini Gagliardi has recently expanded their  international client base in The Netherlands by attending the well established Italian event called De Smaak van Italie and appointing wine importers.  Assisted by European based web marketing agency SEO Synovation, Vini Gagliardi were able to extend their offerings to the  Netherlands.  For wine tasting and buying contact Wijnen van Vermeer and Il Conte for further information.