Merlot grapes are a dark technical variety that is traditionally used for the production of red dessert wines. In terms of the number of harvested crops annually, only “cabernet sauvignon” is ahead of it. Let's look at what Merlot grapes are. Description of the variety and its advantages is the topic of today's article.
Bushes
Merlot grapes have vigorous bushes with shoots of brownish color, on which dark nodes are clearly distinguished. Leaves of medium size are rounded five-lobed in shape, have a dark green color. In mid-autumn, leaves are saturated with yellowish shades with barely noticeable red blotches.
Berries
Grapes "Merlot" gives spherical fruits, collected in clusters of conical shape. The length of the latter is on average from 12 to 17 cm, and the width is up to 10-12 cm. The grapes here have a dark blue color. During ripening, an unstable wax coating forms on their surface. On average, the weight of the berry is about 1-2 grams.
Merlot grapes have a dense peel. As for the pulp, it is characterized by the highest juiciness. The liquid that flows from the fruit during the spin cycle has a neutral hue. Each berry contains 1 to 3 small seeds.
Application features
The Merlot grape variety is used exclusively for the production of alcoholic beverages. For fresh consumption, such a product is used extremely rarely, since its peel gives a rather unpleasant tart taste with pronounced acid tones.
Dry dry wines are produced from Merlot, which are distinguished by a variety of taste shades. During their tasting, sommeliers note the presence of tones of sweet cherry, plum, chocolate and even coffee. Thanks to such a rich bouquet, such wines are suitable for consumption as an aperitif before serving dishes of poultry, beef, pork, vegetable and fruit salads.
Merlot grapes: description of useful qualities
The grape variety is extremely rich in sodium. The specified trace element is involved in numerous metabolic processes in the body, in particular, is indispensable for maintaining water balance. The use of wine made from such grapes, due to the sodium content, contributes to the production of intercellular fluid and the renewal of the blood composition.
An impressive amount of potassium is also concentrated in the berries, which strengthens the vascular walls and positively affects the work of the heart muscle. The trace element makes it possible to avoid the development of ailments that affect the cardiovascular system.
Merlot grapes are saturated with calcium. The latter is required by the body to maintain bone density, growth of nails and hair.
It is contained in the grapes of the presented variety and magnesium. The substance allows the body to maintain stable functioning of the digestive system.
Components that are concentrated in Merlot grapes can only harm consumers whose body is individually intolerant of this variety.
Scent
In the case of growing plants in arid, hot regions, the fruits give a bouquet of powerful aromas saturated with spicy shades. When making wine from grapes ripened under such conditions, alcohol will be more strongly felt.
On the contrary, when growing grapes in a moderately cool climate, floral smells and notes of “greenery” dominate in the finished product. Alcohol plume is less pronounced here.
The quality of wines made from Merlot
Making products from the presented grape varieties looks like a good solution for beginner winemakers. The berry mass, which is used to prepare the base of the wine, is undemanding to aging. An alcoholic product matures faster. Therefore, you can uncork bottles in the early stages of aging. Even so, the wine will be soft according to the structure, mature in taste.
Due to the large size of the berries and an insignificant percentage of the peel in relation to the pulp, wine from such grapes is characterized by a reduced content of tannins - substances that have a thickening effect. Therefore, the finished product has a uniform structure that does not gag.
"Merlot" is often used to combine with other grape varieties in the manufacture of wines. The use of such juice can soften the structure of alcoholic beverages saturated with tannins.
Grade Advantages
Among the main advantages of grape varieties are the following:
- the possibility of producing inexpensive wine, which has a rich taste and rich aroma;
- relatively quick ripening of berries;
- plant resistance to drought and high humidity;
- immunity of shoots and berries to the effects of low temperatures;
- good rooting of seedlings in almost any climatic conditions.
Finally
In the end, it is worth noting only that the features of growing Merlot grapes in each region are individual. Some winemakers have their own secrets of preparing berries for the full disclosure of the taste and aromatic qualities of the finished product. At the same time, the Merlot variety is most often used for making wine of the same name brand, which continues to be in great demand on the international market.