appreciation

This is the place to discuss tasting results, style issues, marketing related topics, competitions, media releases etc. etc.

Give us 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!

And here our question of the week in the discussion forum:

Comparative Merlot tastings: Is there something like a SA Merlot style?

"It seems that particularly Merlot tastings in SA leave contestants, onlookers and even the panelist more often confused and frustrated about the outcome, than this is the case with other varieties. Perhaps a main reason lies in the fact that in SA, it is not generally accepted that Merlot can be made in entirely different styles. Inevitably, this leads to comparative tastings of completely different wines in one single category, i.e. comparing apples and pears though still measuring everything by the same yard stick.
In my opinion, this doesn't work for a variety that allows for such a broad spectrum of styles. It is for example just impossible to compare easy drinking unwooded, fruit-driven and mellow soft drinks to barrel-matured, full-bodied and well structured monuments, though both of them might be excellent to drink and perfectly made for what they are intended for. Consequently, the outcome of tastings is then just depending on the preferences of the tasters and as erratic as the composition of the panels.
In Europe, where the diversity of Merlot based wines is generally acknowledged, tastings are usually organized in several categories, allowing the correct assessment and positive appreciation of the respective characteristics of the different styles.
I am convinced that we could make a great step forward, when we would define the different styles and could agree on generally acceptable categories, and even find guidelines for the judgment of Merlot wines.
I am looking forward to other opinions about this subject.

Luca"

And what is your opinion? Lets discuss it !