Grapevines Merlot

Merlot

Origin

This variety is originally from the Bordeaux vineyards.

Synonymy

There is no officially recognized synonym in France nor in other countries in the European Union.

Regulations

This vine variety is likewise listed in the Catalogues of other European Union member states: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Spain, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Malta, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania and Slovenia.

Use

Wine vine variety

Phenology

Bud burst: 2 days after Chasselas. 
Grape maturity: period II, 2 and 1/2 weeks after Chasselas.

Suitability for cultivation and agronomic production

• Merlot N is a moderate to strong vigor variety with a tendency of growing water and new shoots.
• Its semi-erect horizontal growth requires sufficient trellissing.
• Good fertility and preference is given to short pruning.
• In certain climatic conditions, there is a risk of coulure.
• Merlot N is well suited to clay-limestone terroirs.
• This variety is rather sensitive to winter and spring frost (early bud burst) and would appear to be not very adapted to intense drought conditions.

Sensitivity to diseases and pests

• Merlot N is particularly sensitive to downy mildew (on inflorescences and clusters), to leaf hoppers and burls.
• It is likewise rather sensitive to grey rot.
• On the other hand, it is not very sensitive to oidium and flavescence dorée and is seldom affected by wood disease.

Technological potential

• Grape clusters are small to moderate size, winged and berries are moderate size.
• Merlot N produces round, powerful, rich in alcohol and colorful wines with relatively low acidity.
• These full-bodied and structured wines with rather supple tannins can be matured in wood barrels.  
• Complex and elegant aromas.

Clonal selection

Merlot N clones carry the numbers 1-Davis

Source: PlantGrape