Merlot is the most important grape in the Bordeaux region, most famous for its St Emilion and Pomerol wines it is highly productive and easy to ripen making it vulnerable to spring frosts.
 Although it can be used to make wine in its own right it is often blended with stronger grapes to give the wine a higher tannin content. Whilst the majority of Merlots are meant to be drunk young, Pomerol ages into wonderfully intense fruity wine.

The Pinot Noir’s ancestral home is the Côte d’ Or in Burgundy, and although it is widely produced across the globe, producers struggle to reproduce the quality of the Burgundy wines. Pinot Noir relies on the perfect growing season.
 
St Emilion is a full bodied wine, excellent with Duck, Beef, Offal, Pates and Terrines. Cheese also makes a good partner, try Reblochon, Cantal and Comté. Pomerol wines are at their best after four years but as they age they become much fuller bodied and represent Bordeaux at its finest level.
The best example of Pomerol has to be Pétrus, with only a small amount of Cabernet Franc it showcases Merlot at its very best with the highest prices paid. Other countries making notable Merlots include Northern Italy and Switzerland, South Africa, California and Australia.

Recommended Producers

Producers in Pomerol Château Pétrus Château Clinet Château La Conseillante Château La Croix de Gray Producers in St Emilion Château L’Angélus Château Ausone Château Belair Château Canon