Merlot is originated from Bordeaux and is a crossing with Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot grape has little berries with a hard skin, which contains the colour and tannins. The variety likes soils with sand and clay. Merlot vines are producing many fruits. Reducing the crop and halving the fruits to harvest grapes of quality is a big must!

Characteral flavours are black pepper and cassis. Great Merlot wines taste very fruity and its softness combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot a popular grape for blending with the later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to be higher in tannin.