Merlot is grown in just about every region of Australia

Philippines wine supplier Manila wine shop discusses wine by the grape variety Merlot.

October 4, 2010

Merlot grapes

Merlot

Merlot is one of Australia’s most important red grape varieties. Behind Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, it comes in third with a production total over 90,000 tonnes. There has been a dramatic increase in plantings over the last eight years with production soaring by 900%! It is a versatile variety, playing an important role in blends as well as being successful as a straight varietal. However, it suffers from a touch of an identity crisis, as there is no one statement that adequately defines the character of Australian Merlot.

Merlot is most famous in its homeland of Bordeaux in France, where it is used to make some of the world’s greatest and most expensive wines. It is most suited to the right bank appellations of Pomerol and St Emilion, however it is also used in the prestigious left bank appellations of the Medoc to flesh out the mid palate of Cabernet dominant wines. Over the last ten years, plantings have rapidly expanded across the globe, most notably into California, South America, Italy, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Merlot is grown in just about every region of Australia, only shying away from the coldest of vineyards. In the hot regions of the Riverina and Murray Valley, it is grown in huge quantities, fulfilling the needs of Australia’s thirsty mass export market. Merlot helps our big export brands have richness and softness. From a quality point of view, Australia’s best Merlot comes from well-managed vineyards in cooler areas such as the Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley, Orange and the Limestone Coast (including Coonawarra). In Western Australia, it is particularly successful when blended with Cabernet Sauvignon.

The one characteristic of Merlot that is universal is its fleshy, supple mid-palate. This is the reason it makes such a good blending component. Traditionally it has been blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, where its inclusion improves the balance and structure of a wine. However, as a straight varietal, Australian Merlot can often look simple due to the absence of prominent front and back palates. This is why few great varietal Merlots exist.

For Merlot to be good, it must be picked at optimum ripeness, to avoid the presence of herbal characters. Flavours of plums, red currant, mint, pimento, game, earth and leather can be found. Its tannins are invariably soft, making Merlot a good early drinking style, but this does limit its aging potential. Being medium bodied and restrained in style, Merlot suits French oak over American oak, due to its more subtle influence.

Because of the soft, fleshy nature of Merlot, it partners food exceptionally well. Pasta, roasted meats or Mediterranean vegetables compliment the variety. For cheese, pate or game, try a Cabernet Merlot blend, where you can enjoy all the supple sweet fruit characters of Merlot, enhanced with some acidity and tannin from the Cabernet.

Source: http://www.winediva.com.au/grapes/merlot.asp

Although wines are widely available in most Asian countries, especially in Hong Kong which has eliminated import tariff on wines altogether, the availability of fine vintage wines is still very scarce.  Most wine merchants offer big names, young vintages and cheaper wines for everyday consumption.  Wine lovers and connoisseurs looking for something special often travel to Clark Pampanga Philippines to do their shopping at this Wine Shop in Manila.

At Yats Wine Cellars we believe that a little bit of knowledge in wine goes a long way to developing expectations in the wines we choose to buy or drink.  Without expectation, it is difficult to really enjoy wine to its fullest.  With this in mind, efforts are made by Yats Wine Cellars to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for our clients to learn more about wine.

Birthday wine gifts is one of the most popular birthday gifts to give someone living in the Philippines.  Fine Vintage wine from Yats Wine Cellars is a sure winner and it does not have to cost a great deal to send someone a bottle in Philippines

To avail of wine catering service of Yats Wine Cellars, just contact this wine supplier in Manila or Angeles Clark Philippines for a meeting to design a theme for the event.  The venue for a wine event can be in the privacy of a home, the convenience of an office in Manila for example or in a clubhouse of a subdivision.   Wine glasses and accessories necessary for wine service are included in the wine catering service.  Moreover, interesting wine notes accompany the wine to help participants enjoy the event even more by learning a little bit about wine while enjoying the party.  A wine steward will be present to serve the wine.

There is also an exciting collection of white wine from Burgundy at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Meursault, Chablis, Chassagne Montrachet, Puligny Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne and St. Aubin.  Red wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhone are also available with a good depth of back vintages too.  Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila

Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple:  after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave.  From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City.  From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Clark Wine Center

Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building

Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,

Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023

0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars

Manila Sales Office

3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,

Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605

(632) 637-5019   0917-520-4393  ask for Rea or Chay

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.