International Merlot Day Date in the current year: November 7, 2024

Merlot is one of the most widely planted grapes in the world. It is thought to have originated in France; the name Merlot is most likely a diminutive of the French word merle, which means “blackbird”, and is probably a reference to the dark blue color of the grape. The earliest recorded mention of Merlot, then spelled as Merlau, is dated 1784.

According to genetic research, Merlot is descended from Cabernet Franc and an obscure and unnamed grape variety that was first sampled in an abandoned vineyard in Brittany in 1996. Following the discovery of the mother grape of Merlot, it was formally registered as Magdeleine Noire des Charentes. The half-siblings of Merlot include Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, and Malbec.

Nearly two thirds of Merlot in the world is grown in France. It is the most planted grape in the wine region of Bordeaux because Merlot is one of the primary approved grapes that can be used in Bordeaux blends, alongside Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and occasionally Carménère.

Outside of France, Merlot is grown in Italy, Spain, Central Europe (Austria, Germany, Switzerland), Eastern and Southern Europe (Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Ukraine), the United States (primarily California and Washington State), Canada, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.

Merlot can be used for both varietal wines and blended wines. Merlot varietal wines usually have a medium or full body, with medium acidity, medium-high tannins, and high alcohol. The primary flavors of a Merlot wine depend on the wine-growing region. Wines made from Merlot grapes grown in a cool climate tends to have strawberry, red berry, plum, cedar and tobacco notes. Warm climate results in blackberry, black cherry and black plum notes, whereas hot climate results in chocolate and fruitcake notes.

Merlot is a very versatile wine that can be paired with a wide variety of foods. It pairs well with chicken and other poultry (for example, duck and turkey), red meat (lean cuts of beef, pork and veal), hard cheeses (Cheddar, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Grana Padano, Pecorino), semi-soft cheeses (Gouda, Gruyère, Emmenthal), olives, roasted vegetables and mushrooms, and some pasta dishes.

As we’ve already mentioned above, it is unknown who came up with the idea of celebrating International Merlot Day, but the holiday is quite popular in the wine world. To celebrate it, vineyards, wineries, wine bars, restaurants, and wine stores offer discounts and various promotions. Do not miss out on these offers and celebrate the holiday with your friends!

There are many ways to observe International Merlot Day. You can attend a winery tour or a wine tasting, buy a bottle of Merlot and share it with a friend, or watch a movie or read a book about wine-making with a glass of Merlot. And don’t forget to spread the word about the holiday with the hashtag #InternationalMerlotDay.