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It is at once the nation’s heritage grape—a survivor of the Gold Rush era—and its most misunderstood varietal. For decades, the market was dominated by monolithic, high-octane bottlings, often jammy and over-extracted, designed to appeal to a palate that equated
While it produces some of the world’s most celebrated, elegant, and expensive wines, its journey from vine to bottle is fraught with challenges. Its difficulty is not a mark of poor quality, but rather a testament to its sensitivity and
To understand the impact of climate change, one must first appreciate Merlot’s inherent character. It is a mid-ripening grape, prized for its soft, fleshy texture, moderate acidity, and flavors of plum, cherry, and herbal notes. Its success hinges on a
Traditionally, Merlot thrives in a “Goldilocks zone”—it must avoid the under-ripeness of a cool climate and the over-ripeness of a hot one. In its classic expression, it offers a harmonious balance of red fruit flavors (like cherry and raspberry), supple
