Merlot grapes: description and characteristics of the variety, advantages and disadvantages with a photo

The selection of Merlot grapes is a natural choice for domestic winemakers. It is not as capricious as other well-known varieties. Decent wine is obtained from it even in not ideal climatic conditions of a large number of regions of our country. But, like every technical grape variety, it has its own characteristics, which are strictly taken into account. Otherwise, the harvest from him will not wait.

Variety history

For the first time, a grape variety called "Merlot" is mentioned at the very end of the 18th century, in the notes of an official from the Bordeaux wine region. The name itself came from the local name of the blackbird - this bird is very fond of berries of this variety.

The history of the origin of the cultivar has not yet been fully elucidated. It is known for sure that among the ancestors there was another famous French variety - Cabernet Franc. This, in turn, makes Merlot a relative of the popular technical variety, Cabernet Sauvignon.

Description of Merlot grapes

The standard description of Merlot grapes, like any other, includes information about the height of the bush, flowers, clusters and ripening time.

So, merlot boasts the following characteristics:

bush vigorous, with vines of moderate length;
capable of self-pollination due to the presence of flowers of both sexes;
bunches large, cylindrical, weighing up to 150 grams;
berries - blue-black;
number of grains in a berry - 2-3;
sugar content - 22 grams per 100 cubic centimeters.

Due to these characteristics, the variety is easily recognized among other crops.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

This grape has a number of advantages that have made it a favorite raw material for winemakers. At the same time, it is worth remembering that this is not a canteen, but a technical culture. It is not eaten in bunches, but only made into wine.

The main benefits of Merlot include:

quick ripening;
sugar accumulation by October;
tolerates drought easily;
not afraid of moderate frost;
not susceptible to the scourge of vineyards - mildew;
Merlot wine has a rich bouquet.

At the same time, this does not mean at all that this variety is devoid of flaws (and this is not about the taste preferences of wine lovers). Like any culture, Merlot has a number of negative qualities:

easily affected by powdery mildew (oidium);
prone to peas.

Like all technical grape crops, highly dependent on terroir.

Features and Specifications

Merlot characteristics should take into account a number of features, the knowledge of which will help potential winemakers decide whether to grow this variety. In particular, these characteristics include ripening terms.

To obtain dry table wines, grapes must ripen for 152 days. And for dessert wines, this period is extended by another two weeks.

This means that, under favorable conditions, the harvest is in September or October. In the conditions of Russia - this is done in the climate of the Voronezh, Rostov regions and to the south.

Sugar content in fruits is strongly affected by the amount of precipitation - the less rain, the sweeter the berries.

Fit Tips

Like other grape varieties, Merlot is propagated by cuttings. The latter are planted in a sunny place, preferably on the south side, if the climate of the area is frosty. The site is chosen taking into account the fact that the culture will grow on it for several decades, at least. Plant in well-drained, loose soil, with an acidity level of about 7. The soil is used that is not rich in trace elements and nutrients.

Rules of care

Care for technical grape varieties is not difficult. All that is required is to loosen the soil in time, remove weeds, carry out the prevention of diseases and pests, and, of course, water. Merlot is watered in the evening, when the sun sets below the horizon. To do this, water is poured into special drainage holes. As for loosening the soil, this is done once every couple of weeks.

Disease resistance

Merlot belongs to varieties that are highly resistant to grape diseases and pests. He copes well with fungal diseases like mildew. He is not afraid of rotting berries. At the same time, it is highly susceptible to powdery mildew. Often it affects the plant in wet years with not very high temperatures.

Conclusion

Merlot is not in vain referred to as winemakers' favorite varieties. Resistant to diseases and weather difficulties, it is, at the same time, able to become a raw material for wine rich in aromas and taste. Its ripening period is one of the earliest - only 152 days. And in dry years, it is also rich in sugar. Of course, there are no problems, but they are easily solved.