merlot leaf
merlot grapes identified loose bunches of large berries. color has less of blue/black hue cabernet sauvignon grapes , thinner skin , fewer tannins per unit volume. ripens 2 weeks earlier cabernet sauvignon. compared cabernet, merlot grapes tend have higher sugar content , lower malic acid. ampelographer j.m. boursiquot has noted merlot has seemed inherit of best characteristics parent varieties—its fertility , easy ripening ability magdeleine noire des charentes , color, tannin , flavor phenolic potential cabernet franc.
merlot thrives in cold soil, particularly ferrous clay. vine tends bud gives risk cold frost , thinner skin increases susceptibility viticultural hazard of botrytis bunch rot. if bad weather occurs during flowering, merlot vine prone develop coulure. vine can susceptible downy mildew (though has better resistance powdery mildew other bordeaux varieties) , infection leafhopper insect varieties.
water stress important vine thriving in drained soil more @ base of slope. pruning major component quality of wine produced producing believing best prune vine short (cutting few buds). wine consultant michel rolland major proponent of reducing yields of merlot grapes improve quality. age of vine important, older vines contributing character resulting wine.
a characteristic of merlot grape propensity overripen once hits initial ripeness level, in matter of few days. there 2 schools of thought on right time harvest merlot. wine makers of château pétrus favor picking best maintain wine s acidity , finesse potential aging. others, such rolland, favor late picking , added fruit body comes little bit of over-ripeness.
Comments
Post a Comment