Old world: Merlot is a native of Bordeaux in south-west France and its most widely grown grape.
Where was the Merlot grape originally grown?
Merlot is a variety of black wine grape that is originally from the Bordeaux region of France dating back all the way to the first century AD.
How did wine come to Europe?
Ancient Wine Influencers: The Phoenicians and Greeks
From West Asia, wine grapes followed cultures as they expanded into the Mediterranean. Sea-fairing civilizations including the Phoenicians and Greeks spread wine throughout much of Europe . As grapes came into new areas they slowly mutated to survive new climates.
Who brought wine to France?
A new study confirms what archaeologists had long figured: Though the ancient Romans brought their own wine to France, the country was making and importing it long before they arrived. In 525 B.C.E., the people of Lattara, on the Mediterranean coast near Montpellier in present-day France, were France's native Celts.
Did the Romans introduce wine to France?
The Romans did much to spread viticulture across the land they knew as Gaul, encouraging the planting of vines in areas that would become the well known wine regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace, Champagne, Languedoc, Loire Valley and the Rhone.
Is Merlot a Bordeaux wine?
Along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, Merlot is one of the primary grapes used in Bordeaux wine , and it is the most widely planted grape in the Bordeaux wine regions. Merlot is also one of the most popular red wine varietals in many markets.
Who invented Merlot?
The first recorded mention of Merlot was made in 19th Century France .
Is Merlot a French wine?
Merlot is a red wine grape variety with strong historic ties to Bordeaux and the southwest of France . Currently the the most searched-for wine on our database that is made from the grape is Petrus, from Pomerol.
Where is Merlot grown in France?
Merlot, like the Cabernets, is widely grown throughout south-west France, notably in Bergerac and in Cahors where it is the common blending partner of Malbec. It is also very widely planted in the Languedoc where it can make juicy, plump IGP wines (generally more successful than Cabernet Sauvignon).
Is Merlot a French grape?
The word Merlot is French for “the little blackbird.” Merlot also refers to a red grape variety used to make wine around the world.
How did Merlot get its name?
Merlot derived its name from the French word Merle, meaning blackbird . Probably receiving the name from its dark color. Merlot originated from the two grapes Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire des Charentes. Merlot tends to have some different characteristics depending on where it is planted in the world.
How did wine originate?
Georgia is generally considered the ‘cradle of wine', as archaeologists have traced the world's first known wine creation back to the people of the South Caucasus in 6,000BC . These early Georgians discovered grape juice could be turned into wine by burying it underground for the winter.
Who invented wine first?
The earliest evidence of steady production of wine has been found in Armenia (c. 4100 BC) while the earliest evidence of a grape and rice mixed based fermented drink was found in ancient China (c. 7000 BC),.
How was wine first discovered?
Wine was discovered about 6,000 years ago in either Mesopotamia, Palestine/Israel, or what is now called Georgia. It originally fermented by accident when native yeasts stuck to grapes stored in containers turned the sugars in the grapes into alcohol .
Did the French invent wine?
What is this? Wine did not come from France . The origin of wine is up to some dispute, but most experts say that the very first form of alcoholic beverage made by fermented grapes came from Georgia (6000 BC).
Did French peasants drink wine?
Beverages. The most popular drink in France was wine , followed by cider. The wine was watered down, and the poor often had to resort to water alone. Apples were grown along the western coast from the south of France to Normandy, and cider was sometimes favored over wine.
What is the oldest wine in the world?
Oldest Wine in Existence Today: 325-350 AD Speyer Wine Bottle . Found in 1867 in the tomb of Roman soldier, the Speyer wine bottle is believed to be the oldest wine in existence.
Was ancient wine an alcoholic?
Ancient wines were considerably more alcoholic than modern wine , and that is why they were watered down in Graeco-Roman cultures.
Why did Romans drink wine?
Romans believed that wine was a daily necessity, so they made it available to slaves, peasants, woman and aristocrats alike . As Pliny, the Elder famously said, “There's truth in wine.” At the high point in the empire's history of wine, experts estimate that a bottle of was being consumed each day for every citizen.
Was Roman wine alcoholic?
The main difference between Roman and modern wines was likely their alcohol content, as both Greek and Roman wines likely had as high as 15% or 20% ABV , compared with 10-12% or so in most modern wines.
Is Malbec or Merlot lighter?
The Malbec grape variety itself is described as a black-blue color, further deepening its richness. Merlot is much lighter ; however, the actual color depends on the wine region it comes from. While there are some deep red Merlots, they tend to be lighter than Malbecs.
What does Merlot mean?
Definition of merlot
: a dry red wine made from a widely grown grape originally used in the Bordeaux region of France for blending also : the grape itself.
Is Merlot full bodied?
Wines between 12.5% and 13.5% ABV are considered medium-bodied. Good examples of medium-bodied wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Rose . Wines that are over 13.5% ABV are considered full-bodied wines. Some wine varieties considered full-bodied include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec .
What does Merlot pair with?
- Beef, particularly grilled or roast beef and filet mignon.
- Blue cheese, Cheddar cheese, Gorgonzola.
- Chicken, particularly grilled or roast chicken.
- Berries and Fruit, particularly red fruit sauces.
- Garlic.
- Mushrooms.
- Lamb.
- Pork, especially roast pork and pork loin.
Which country produces the best Merlot wine?
Merlot's spiritual home is in France , specifically Bordeaux and it remains the most widely planted variety in the region.
What is the most expensive Merlot in the world?
Fun Fact: the most expensive Merlot was sold at auction in 2011. A case of 1961 Petrus went for $144,000 USD which comes to $12,000 a bottle!
