Merlot

Merlot is an easy-drinking red wine, celebrated for its soft, juicy, plummy character.  

The name “Merlot” (pronounced ‘mur-low’) is believed to be inspired by ‘merle’, the French word for blackbird – a nod to the deep colour shared by the bird and the grapes. Another theory suggests it’s named after the blackbirds themselves, which were known to like eating the early-ripening grapes from the vine.  

Merlot is originally from the Bordeaux region of France, where it still dominates in vineyards  alongside Cabernet Sauvignon. However, thanks to its adaptability, Merlot is now popular with winemakers across the globe. This grape thrives in a range of climates, from Central Europe and Canada, to Argentina and Chile, and even spots like New Zealand, United States of America and South Africa.  

On the hunt for a good Merlot? Dive into our handpicked range of Merlot wines from all corners of the globe and find your next beloved red.  

Learn more in our beginner’s guide to Merlot. 

Merlot can produce wines in a range of styles, from fruit-forward to full-bodied, sophisticated and age-worthy.   

This is because Merlot adapts to most soils and climates … and because of this, you’ll find different styles of wine depending on where the grapes are grown. Bordeaux Merlots tend to be rich and robust, while Chilean Merlots are much fruiter.   

Most are dry, with medium acidity, and deeply rich in colour (though lighter than its Cabernet Sauvignon sibling).   

So smooth and velvety, expect a range of flavours – everything from fresh plum, cherry and baked blackberry, to dark chocolate and heady spices like clove. When aged in oak, Merlot can develop vanilla and mocha notes … and those spice flavours will become ever deeper.

Because of its versatility, there’s a Merlot style and price-point for everyone.   The top regions for good Merlot include:  

Bordeaux

Bordeaux remains the home of the most iconic and classic Merlots.   

The regions of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol produce benchmark Merlot-rich wines and blends that are perfect for long-term ageing as they develop more depth and complexity over time.   Bordeaux Merlots are typically complex with notes of ripe plum and black cherry and subtle undertones of cedar and truffle.  

When aged, Bordeaux Merlots can develop spice, leather and tobacco flavours.  

Southern France 

Winemakers in southern France have more freedom to experiment when crafting their wines – they aren’t restricted by strict rules like other appellations. This means that Merlot from southern France is unapologetically fruit-forward – and good value.   

Southern French Merlots are typically medium-bodied, with soft tannins and vibrant red fruit flavours. This style of Merlot is perfect for casual drinking and pairing with hearty red meats.

Chile

Chilean Merlots are known for their ripe, expressive flavours of plum and blackberry, which are often complemented by subtle notes of chocolate.   

Typically medium to full-bodied, Chilean Merlots are velvet-smooth with soft tannins and balanced acidity.   

Chilean Merlot often punches way above its price point, offering great value for money.  

Australia

Big, bold and fruity … Aussie Merlot in a nutshell. Expect lush, rich flavours of plum, black cherry and hints of vanilla if a wine has been oak aged.  

Australian Merlots are typically full-bodied with rounded tannins that make them the perfect crowd-pleasing tipple.   

California

If you’re looking for a ripe, fruit-driven Merlot, then look across the pond, to sun-kissed California. The range of terroirs means California produces a range of style, from bold and oaky, to elegant and refined.   

The warmer climate means Californian Merlots can have a sweeter profile – expect cherries, blackberries and notes of mocha spice and cedar.

Merlot’s broad flavour spectrum makes it a delightful wine for food pairings. In fact, because of its versatility, it’s hard to go wrong when pairing Merlot.  

As a general rule, fruity Merlot, like those from Australia or Chile, is ideal for everyday foods like pizza, lasagna, or burgers.   

If you’re enjoying richer foods like rib eye, roasted pork or lamb, or filet mignon, you’ll want to pair that with a finer Merlot, like a Saint- Émilion claret.

As with most red wines, Merlot is best served after it’s been allowed to breathe.   

Decant 30 minutes before pouring and serve in an oversized wine glass to let those rich, fruity flavours develop and reach their full potential.   

Serve Merlot at room temperature, between 16 and 18°C.  Interested in learning more? Read our guide to wine serving temperatures.

Yes, you can send Merlot as a gift.   

Whether you want to send a single bottle of wine or a gift set, we have wine gifts for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and more.  

Explore our special occasion wine gifts.

The date of your delivery will depend on which option you choose at checkout. We offer:  

Standard delivery is ideal if you’re buying for yourself or as a thank you gift. We’ll deliver your order within three working days.  

Next-day delivery is a great choice for last-minute gifts, while Named-day delivery is perfect for anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions. Do bear in mind that we don’t deliver on Sundays or Bank Holidays.  

Top tip: for the best experience, subscribe to our Unlimited service. You’ll make a one-off payment of £29.99 which entitles you to free delivery for a year – as often as you like – even on single bottles.

With a Laithwaites wine subscription, you’re can tell us what kind of wine you prefer, and how many bottles you’d like to receive on each delivery. You can then choose how often you’d like to receive your case – every four or eight weeks.