Merlot

Merlot N

Name of the variety in France Name under which the variety is officially registered in the catalogue of grapevine varieties in France and under which it may be propagated and disseminated.

Name under which the variety is officially registered in the catalogue of grapevine varieties in France and under which it may be propagated and disseminated.

Merlot

Origin

This variety is originally from the Bordeaux vineyards. Based on genetic analyses, Merlot would be the result of crossbreeding Cabernet franc and Magdeleine noire des Charentes.

Synonyms

Recognised alternative names that may be used to identify the propagation material of the variety in France or in other member countries of the European Union.

There is no officially recognized synonym in France nor in the other countries of the European Union, for this variety.

Legal information This information indicates on which list the variety is registered (A or B), whether it is classified for wine grapes, and in which member countries of the European Union the variety is also officially registered (for more information, see the <a href="/en/reglementation">"Legislation"</a>menu).

This information indicates on which list the variety is registered (A or B), whether it is classified for wine grapes, and in which member countries of the European Union the variety is also officially registered (for more information, see the <a href="/en/reglementation">"Legislation"</a>menu).

In France, Merlot is officially listed in the "Catalogue of vine varieties" on the A list and classified. This variety is also listed in the catalogues of other Member States of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain.

Use

This information indicates the normal and statutory use for the grapes.

Wine grape variety.

Evolution of cultivated areas in France

The figures provided are taken from vineyard land registers (IVCC, ONIVIT, ONIVINS), general agricultural censuses (SCEES-INSEE) and the current computerised vineyard register (DGDDI, FAM).<br>
Regional vine planting data is available on the following site: <a href="https://visionet.franceagrimer.fr/Pages/DonneesInteractivesDocs.aspx?sousmenu=observatoire%20de%20la%20viticulture" target="">visionet</a>.

	1958	1968	1979	1988	1998	2008	2018
ha	16975	25124	38391	60007	90059	117354	114578

Descriptive elements

<p>Only the principal ampelographic elements enabling the varieties to be characterised and identified are provided. They are presented according to the descriptor code recognised by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), the Community Plant Variety Office (OCVV) and Bioversity International (for more information, see the <a href="/en/vocabulaire">"Ampelographic glossary"</a> menu).<br>
The photographs of leaves and grapes were taken in natural conditions, on the vine, in very similar situations in terms of growing conditions (sandy soil, Mediterranean coast):</p>
<ul>
<li>Domaine de l'Espiguette (IFV), Le Grau du Roi (Gard),</li>
<li>Domaine de Vassal (INRAE), Marseillan (Hérault),</li>
<li>La Gaillarde Campus (Institut Agro | Montpellier SupAgro), Montpellier (Hérault).</li>
</ul>
<p>Only a few photographs, including the tips of bunches, were taken in other conditions.</p>

The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shoot with a high density of prostrate hairs,
- the green young leaves,
- the shoots with green internodes,
- the wedge-shaped dark green adult leaves, with five or seven lobes, an open U-shaped petiole sinus, with sometimes naked petiole veins, medium teeth with straight or convex sides, no anthocyanin coloration of veins, a goffered, very blistered leaf blade, and on the lower side of the leaves, a low to medium density of prostrate hairs,
- the round-shaped berries.

Genetic profile

Microsatellite	VVS2	VVMD5	VVMD7	VVMD27	VRZAG62	VRZAG79	VVMD25	VVMD28	VVMD32
Allel 1	137	223	239	186	194	260	238	227	239
Allel 2	149	234	247	188	194	260	248	233	239

Phenology

<p>The growth stages indicated are the result of obsrvations made at the Domaine de Vassal Estate where the set of these varieties form a collection. The results are indicated compared to the Chasselas vine variety as a reference in order to make comparisons between years and different sites. As such, for information purposes, the dates for the Chasselas B growth stage at Domaine de Vassal are as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>Bud burst, 21 March (average over 50 years)</li>
<li>Grape maturity, 14 August (average over 50 years)</li>
</ul>

Bud burst: 2 days after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: mid-season, 2 weeks and a half after Chasselas.

Suitability for cultivation and agronomic production The data on suitability are the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and the study of bibliographic references.

The data on suitability are the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and the study of bibliographic references.

Merlot is a moderately to strongly vigorous variety that tends to produce a lot of off shoots and suckers. Its semi-erect to horizontal bearing requires sufficient trellising. Its fertility is good and it is better to prune it short. In certain climatic conditions, there is a risk of coulure. Merlot is well suited to clay-limestone terroirs. This variety is rather sensitive to winter and spring frosts (early budburst) and appears to be not very adapted to intense drought conditions.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests These remarks are also the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and study of bibliographic references.

These remarks are also the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and study of bibliographic references.

Merlot is particularly sensitive to downy mildew (on flowers and bunches), to vine leafhoppers and burls. It is also rather sensitive to grey rot. On the other hand, it is not very susceptible to powdery mildew and flavescence dorée and is not very affected by wood diseases.

Technological potentiality

<p>The size of grape clusters and berries indicated are based on the following scales:</p>
<table id="potentiel">
<thead>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">Wine grape varieties</td>
<td colspan="2">Table grape varieties</td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Size</td>
<td>Bunch (g)</td>
<td>Berry (g)</td>
<td>Bunch (g)</td>
<td>Berry (g)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Very small</td>
<td>≤ 100</td>
<td>< 1</td>
<td>< 150</td>
<td>< 2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Small</td>
<td>100 - 200</td>
<td>1,5 - 2</td>
<td>150 - 250</td>
<td>2 - 3,5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Moderate</td>
<td>200 - 250</td>
<td>2 - 2,5</td>
<td>250 - 400</td>
<td>3,5 - 5,5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Large</td>
<td>250 - 400</td>
<td>2,5 - 3,5</td>
<td>400 - 700</td>
<td>5,5 - 8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Very large</td>
<td>> 400</td>
<td>> 3,5</td>
<td>> 700</td>
<td>> 8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Remarks concerning the characteristics of the wines are generally based on tastings organised by juries of professionals.</p>

The bunches are small to medium in size, winged and berries are medium in size. Merlot produces round, powerful, rich in alcohol and colored wines with relatively low acidity. These full-bodied and structured wines, with rather supple tannins, can be aged in wood barrels. The aromas are complex and elegant.

Clonal selection in France In this section, the list of certified clones is given. Information on clone conservatories is also provided.

The twelve certified Merlot clones carry the numbers 181, 182, 184, 314, 342, 343, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349 and 519. A conservatory collection of more than 300 clones has been planted in the wine-growing region of Bordeaux since 1966.

Bibliographic references The main bibliographical sources are provided.

- Catalogue des variétés et clones de vigne cultivés en France. Collectif, 2007, Ed. IFV, Le Grau-du-Roi, France.
- Documentary collections of the Centre de Ressources Biologiques de la Vigne de Vassal-Montpellier, INRAE - Institut Agro | Montpellier, Marseillan, France.
- Dictionnaire encyclopédique des cépages et de leurs synonymes. P. Galet, 2015, Ed. Libre&Solidaire, France.
- Traité général de viticulture, Ampélographie. P. Viala and V. Vermorel, 1901-1909, Ed. Masson, Paris, France.

Description of clones certified in France In this section, the list of certified clones is given. Information on clone conservatories is also provided.

		Identity and availability					Agronomic data						Technological data						Autres informations
Clone no.	Marque	Origin	Selection	Year of certification	Agronomic references	Surface area used for propagation (year)	Fertility	Production level	Bunch weight	Vigor	Berry size	Susceptibility to grey rot	Sugar level	Color potential	Titrable acidity	Tannic structure	Aromatic intensity	Oenological suitability	New	General note	Agro-tecnic note	Note agronomique	Agronomic note	Links
181		Gironde	INRA	1973	Bordelais Languedoc Provence	69.67 ha	medium to high	low to medium	low	low	low to medium		medium to high	medium	medium	medium to high		wines appreciated in tasting		more drooping bearing. Clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained.
182		Gironde	INRA	1973	Bordelais Languedoc Provence	6.93 ha	medium	medium	medium		medium		medium to high	high	medium	low to medium		supple and balanced wines		clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained
184		Gironde	INRA	1973	Bordelais Languedoc Provence	9.68 ha	medium	medium to high	medium to high				low to medium		medium	medium		representative wines of the variety
314		Gironde	INRA	1973	Bordelais	4.54 ha	medium	medium	medium	low			medium		medium			balanced wines
342		Gironde	INRA	1975	Bordelais	1.63 ha	medium	medium	medium				medium		medium			representative wines of the variety
343		Gironde	INRA	1975	Bordelais Languedoc Provence	44.11 ha	low to medium	low to medium	medium		medium		high	medium to high	medium	medium		structured wines		clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and its aptitude to produce wines suitable for ageing
345		Gironde	INRA	1975																	Clone not widely distributed.
346		Gironde	INRA	1975	Bordelais Languedoc Provence	23.77 ha	medium	medium	low to medium	high	medium		medium to high		medium	medium		wines appreciated in tasting		clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained
347		Gironde	INRA	1975	Bordelais Languedoc Provence	37.66 ha	medium	medium	medium		medium		medium	medium	medium	medium		wines appreciated in tasting		clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained
348		Gironde	INRA	1975	Bordelais Languedoc Provence	36.41 ha	medium	medium	medium to high				medium	medium	medium	medium		wines appreciated in tasting		clone appreciated for its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained
349		Gironde	INRA	1975	Bordelais	7.94 ha	high	high	high				medium					representative wines of the variety		productive clone
519		Gironde	ENTAV	1976	Bordelais	20.85 ha	high	high	medium				medium					representative wines of the variety		productive clone

Note

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Catalogue of grapevines cultivated in France