Why is it so hard to find 100% Merlot wines?

Want to challenge that question? You can enter the Global Merlot Masters until 21 January for the chance of winning a medal. Open to both Merlot blends and single varietials.

Merlot is planted over 266,000 hectares – making it the second most grown grape variety in the world. Yet, as Patrick Schmitt MW noted during last year’s Global Merlot Masters competition, it has become more and more difficult to find 100% Merlot wines. And that’s not only due to the 2004 movie Sideways, which sadly damaged the variety’s reputation.

Nowadays, the trend is often to use Merlot as part a blend, with a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc for instance.

The increasing and devastating effects of global warming isn’t helping, as Merlot is now struggling to grow in some areas.

However, Patrick Schmitt MW stresses an important point about Merlot: this is a delicate grape variety that requires a lot of care and specific conditions to grow successfully. But when you find the right place and put in the effort, Merlot can result in fantastic wines, from a round and plummy expression to an age-worthy powerful wine!

At the Global Wine Masters, we want to celebrate this chameleon grape variety, and our Merlot-dedicated competition returns in February for its second edition.

Open to any Merlot varieties or blends with at least 50% of Merlot, the Global Merlot Masters will identify the best expressions of this grape variety across the world.

Entries are open for another week and results will be published in the March issue of the drinks business magazine and online.

Ready to show us how marvellous is your Merlot? Enter the competition here before 21 January.

Entries cost £159 ex VAT

For more information contact: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

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