Here is What You Must Search for When Shopping for Pinot Noir and Merlot, Based on Consultants

Cabernet Sauvignon could be the world’s hottest pink wine, however Pinot Noir and Merlot have lengthy been fan favorites. And whereas all three grape varieties couldn’t be extra completely different, it’s the latter two which can be most confused. 

“There’s a time and place for every little thing, and whereas I am drawn to Pinot Noir for its magnificence and flexibility, Merlot shines for its approachability,” says Giulia Dwight, beverage supervisor at Cucina Alba in New York Metropolis.

Merlot tends to indicate aromas and flavors of darker fruits and candy spice, whereas Pinot Noir gives notes of pink fruit and earth. 

“Merlot is fruitier,” says Gabriella Borg Costanzi, service and wine director at French bistro Le Crocodile in Brooklyn, New York. She cites signature notes of pink and black plums in addition to blackberries, along with juicy ripeness on the palate.

Borg Costanzi finds Pinot Noir to be a bit extra restrained, lighter-bodied and taut in construction. “I at all times assume half-forest fruit, half-stemmy, leafy traits,” she says. 

Mirko Razzini, a sommelier at Lake Como’s Grand Lodge Tremezzo in Italy, says that Pinot Noir tends to have major aromas of pink and black cherry, strawberry, and raspberry. These are adopted by earthy, floral-tinged notes of roses and violets. 

“Merlot, then again, is characterised by darker fruits, like plums and blackberries, in addition to natural notes and spices akin to cinnamon or tobacco,” says Razzini. Whatever the selection, he says, terroir, local weather, and vinification strategies will closely play right into a wine’s closing taste profile. 

Finest areas for Pinot Noir and Merlot

Though Pinot Noir and Merlot are cultivated world wide, every boasts its personal signature areas. 

Pinot Noir thrives in its homeland of Burgundy, in addition to in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and on California’s Sonoma Coast. The grape additionally has a powerful presence in New Zealand’s cooler areas like Marlborough and Wairarapa, in addition to throughout northern Italy, the place it goes by Pinot Nero. 

“Pinot Noir is a troublesome [variety],” says Borg Constanzi. “It’s early budding, so vulnerable to spring frost, in addition to early ripening, that means it hates the warmth, so it is fairly effectively suited to cool-to-moderate local weather areas.” 

Elsewhere in Italy, Pinot Nero has a powerful presence in Oltrepò Pavese and Trentino-Alto Adige, in addition to in Franciacorta,  a small area within the north.

Merlot shines in Bordeaux’s Proper Financial institution, the place it could possibly ripen on the area’s sometimes cooler, clay-based soils. Within the U.S., nice expressions are present in California’s Napa Valley and Washington State.

 “Past its varietal expressions, a few of that are amongst the world’s most famous wines, it is also a prized mixing grape, including depth to Bordeaux blends and Tremendous-Tuscans,” says Dwight.

Razzini says that Chile, Argentina, and Australia are additionally locations the place Merlot is extensively grown.

The distinction in construction and physique

Past aroma and taste, Pinot Noir and Merlot additionally differ in physique and construction. 

“Merlot is fairly medium throughout the board: medium tannin, medium acid, medium physique,” says Borg Costanzi. She says that Pinot Noir tends to be increased acid, decrease tannin, and leaner in physique. 

Razzini agrees and says that Merlot-based wines are typically juicier and fuller-bodied than Pinot Noir. Dwight says that the “plush, velvety” nature of Merlot makes it simple and accessible for quite a lot of wine drinkers to take pleasure in.

Bottles to search for

To grasp the distinction between these two iconic grape varieties, strive bottles that exemplify every expression. We selected the next bottles that finest specific Pinot Noir and Merlot so that you can evaluate and recognize.

Pinot Noir

Domaine Bachelet-Monnot Maranges Vieilles Vignes (Burgundy, France)

This wine is spearheaded by brothers Marc and Alexandre Bachelet, who’re serving to to pioneer this particular, higher-elevation space of Burgundy (Hautes-Côtes). Made with 20% complete clusters, fermented with native yeasts, and aged in barrel (20% new), the bottling gives high-toned flavors of cranberry and raspberry, with brilliant acidity that results in a refreshing, crunchy end.

Cooper Mountain Vineyards Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon, U.S.)

This entry-level Pinot from Cooper Mountain gives a wonderful gateway into the property and Willamette Valley as a complete. Fruit for this wine comes from 4 of the Valley’s oldest winery websites and is aged for 10 months in oak. Medium-bodied and supple, the wine gives flavors of pink cherry, forest flooring, and a touch of pink flower

Craggy Vary Martinborough Pinot Noir (Martinborough, New Zealand)

This bottle is a reminder to not sleep on Pinot from New Zealand. This varietal expression is produced from 100% hand-harvested fruit grown within the estate-owned Te Muna Highway Winery. Within the cellar, 15% complete clusters are used, and fermentation is finished with native yeasts. Fleshy and floral-tinged, the wine reveals flavors of pink fruits, crushed rose pearls, black tea, and damp earth.

Merlot

L’Ecole No. 41 Merlot (Columbia Valley, Washington, U.S.)

Over the previous twenty years, Washington State has turn into famend for its Merlot, and expressions like L’Ecole No. 41 are partly accountable. Fruit for this wine comes from the Seven Hills and Ferguson vineyards. Submit-fermentation, it’s aged for 18 months in oak (30% new). Full-bodied and flavor-packed, the wine gives flavors of pink plum, blackberry jam, cola, and a contact of sage.

Château Coutet St-Émilion Grand Cru (St-Émilion, Bordeaux)

Like many reds produced in St-Émilion, Château Coutet’s expression makes use of 4 of Bordeaux’s signature varieties, although it’s made with a mix dominated by Merlot. Ripe and wealthy, the wine gives notes of ripe pink and black fruits, tobacco, and a touch of used leather-based.

Mayacamas Vineyards Merlot (Napa Valley, California, U.S.)

With a historical past that dates to the late nineteenth century, Mayacamas is a pillar in California viticulture. The property’s signature Merlot comes from Mt. Veeder and is fermented in a mixture of metal (70%), concrete (20%), and large-format oak (10%). Flavors of raspberry jam, blueberry, and a contact of graphite result in a protracted, cedar-tinged end. (Notice: A proportion of Cabernet Franc is mostly included.)