Welcome to the Merlot Forum

Merlot is a fascinating grape that lends itself to producing wines in an excitingly wide array of styles. At its best, Merlot makes a wine that is dry yet full-bodied, rich in flavor and smooth as it finishes in your throat, with the legendary Chateau Petrus being the stellar example of a fine Merlot. Likewise, Merlot is often used as blending partner to soften blends. But Merlot is also a controversial variety: At the lower end of the range, many a Merlot is simple and thin, with often dry and - even worse - greenish tannins and .. o.k. you know!

Judging by its popularity and its extensive distribution all over the world, one should think that Merlot is an easy grape to grow and to make wine with - but its not! Viticulturists agree that the very site and climate sensitive Merlot should be considered the most challenging of commercial red grapes in South African vineyards today. And that it is a difficult variety in the cellar too, will gladly confirm every winemaker. It requires a very exact and hands on approach and the fact that it is still not well understood, is a further reason why viticulturists, winemakers, journalists and judging panels are often left scratching their heads.

And this is exactly where this project comes in: This website has been designed as a tool to boost communication between all interested parties, to collect information and to exchange experience, and ultimately to further knowledge about this grape.

So this is not a website where you just can consume! In fact, we need YOUR input, your knowledge and your experience to build our site, whether you are viticulturist, winemaker, marketer, consumer or critic. Only a teamwork effort can build this site to what it is intended to: To improve our understanding of Merlot, and ultimately to bring South African Merlot to the height of its ability.

Give your input and send your comments, articles, pictures, reviews and news to admin@merlotforum.co.za , and we will publish it on this site. We are looking forward to your contribution!

The Merlot Forum South Africa
An initiative of the South African wine industry, supported by VinPro/SANW