Merlot

Supple, velvety and effortlessly elegant: few grapes marry fruit and finesse as masterfully as merlot – from Bordeaux to sun-blessed Ticino.

The most approachable of the great reds

Merlot is perhaps the most approachable of the great red grapes. Its soft tannins, ripe plum-and-cherry fruit and velvety texture make it an ideal gateway into the world of red wine – while still delighting the most discerning connoisseurs. It ranks among the most widely planted grapes in the world.

From Bordeaux to Ticino

Merlot's cradle lies in Bordeaux, where on the Right Bank – in Pomerol and Saint-Émilion – it produces some of the most expensive wines on earth. In Switzerland it is inseparable from Ticino: for almost a century it has shaped the southern valleys, yielding finely structured Mediterranean reds. South Tyrol and California offer expressive interpretations of their own.

Our Merlot recommendations

• San Grato Merlot Gran Selezione – a Ticino flagship with dense fruit and a silky, velvety core.
• Freiherr Merlot Riserva Alto Adige – the South Tyrolean take – spicy, precise and elegantly aged.
• Los Osos Merlot Paso Robles – Californian opulence with ripe dark fruit and gentle tannins.

Merlot at the table

Thanks to its supple nature, merlot is a generous companion at the table. It pairs with roast poultry, veal and pork fillet as readily as with pasta in tomato sauce or a Ticino risotto. With a medium-aged hard cheese it is especially charming.

Serving it right

Serve merlot at 16 to 18 °C. Younger wines benefit from half an hour of air; mature riserva bottlings deserve a decanter. It is in a generous glass that its velvety aroma unfolds most beautifully.

Discover our selection of red wines and find your favourite merlot. Free shipping from CHF 99 throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein.