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Merlot DOC
Denomination: Colli Orientali del Friuli › Linea tradizionale
In the Friuli wine region, Merlot has been cultivated with exceptional results; it is made as a varietal or sometimes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc. The tradition ‘Pergola Trentina’ and ‘Guyot’ cultivation systems produce low yields and concentrated berries that result in more dense and complex Merlot wines.
Among red wines from Friuli, Merlot is always the local king. Its characteristics are most often: lighter body, dry, mellow, with a slightly astringent taste. Colli Orientali Merlot vines grow loose bunches of large berries and the colour has less of a blue/black hue than Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, with a thinner skin and fewer tannins.
Italian Merlot grapes tends to have higher sugar content and lower malic acid then other varietals and normally ripens up to two weeks earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon. The age of the vine is also important, with older vines contributing character to the resulting wine.
There are two schools of thought on the right time to harvest Merlot. French wine makers favor early picking to best maintain the wine's acidity and finesse as well as its potential for aging. As common practice, UVA℠ favours late picking and the added fruit body that comes with a little bit of over-ripeness.
characteristics ....
This elegant grape can produce wines
with big blasts of tar and very black fruit
notes on the nose. It follows through with
a lush smooth palate, shares many of the same food pairing affinities with Pinot
Noir well accompanied with fish dishes, tomato based pasta dishes, and grilled
meats.
Merlot wines are a deep red color tinged
with ruby-red reflections. It is soft and
lovely in the modern red style, with
aromas of well-ripened blackberry fruit.
It has subtle tannins and a long, complex finish characterized by notes of spice and cherry on the palate.
Available as frozen must in 30L & 220L drums
Vineyard & varietal information
● Sourced from vines that are 10 to 25 years old
● The soil is clayey and no irrigation is allowed. All vines are located on a plain
● The law for growing Merlot calls for a single branch coming from any single trunk
with a maximum of 2 to 3 clusters per branch
● Vines are planted 7 feet apart with only 5600 plants per hectare and 10 clusters per
plant
● Yield is 7 tons per hectare [3 tons per acre]
● Harvest is strictly done by hand and the freezing facilities are less than 1/4 hour from
the vineyards
● Merlot is a red skinned grape. Wines made from this grape demonstrate good tannins,
red-violet colour, with alcohol generally between 12.5 and 13.5% by vol.
● Traditionally fermented dry and aged in barriques for 12 to 18 months
● Wine can age 1 to 5 years
Photo:
Merlot grapes from 2009 harvest
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