Merlot is one of the classic grapes widely grown in the Bordeaux region of France and in many other countries. Our Merlot comes from the Italian Veneto region.

This vine was introduced in Italy near Udine at the end of the 19th century by the count Savorgnan of Brazza and it obtained a great success. One of the first bottles of Italian Merlot was launched at the Cividale exposition in 1896 where it won the gold medal.

In Italy today this grape is vinified in Piemonte, Lombardia, Emilia and Toscana as well but it reaches its highest quality levels in Veneto on the Colli Berici, in Friuli and in Trentino Alto Adige where the wines obtained the DOC denomination.

These areas have very different characteristics which is reflected in the wines; The Merlot from the Berici Hills is slightly more alcoholic, more full bodied and acid. The Merlot Friulano and the Trentino have more delicate and refined flavours.

A Merlot in general is somewhat softer in flavour and acid than the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, Merlot is often blended with Cabernet in order to round out the wine and hasten maturation.

The grape has many alias names such as Médoc Noir, Petit Merle, Vitraille, Crabutet Noir and Bigney.