This is the most widely cultivated red wine in the Primorje region: the vine prospers in dry and warm sites. Merlot originates in France where it constitutes an essential ingredient of any good red Bordeaux. Interestingly enough, it is named after its "worst enemy," the merle or blackbird which loves to gorge on ripening Merlot berries. The grapes ripen rather late, and the yield is satisfactory and regular.
The wine is ruby-red, the colour being distinctly lighter than that of Cabernet Sauvignon or Modri Pinot. Acids are low to moderate, alcohol never very high. Merlot has a gentle, pleasant taste and a characteristic raspberry aroma. The wine is quite pleasant when young, but it also ages well; aged Merlot develops a particular, noble bouquet.
Merlot is a very popular wine for the barrique treatment and seems to absorb the aromas of fresh wood particularly avidly - the result is a wine with a very strong tannin taste, very refreshing but not to everyone's liking.
Merlot is cultivated only in Primorje, most frequently in the Koper area, but the best results seem to be obtained in Brda; the Vipava Valley is famous for its specific cure of wine, particularly when improved upon with the barrique treatment.
Merlot should be served at 16 - 18 °C (60.8 - 64.4 °F) with stewed beef, light game dishes, or pasta with heavy meat sauces; Merlot is an interesting ingredient and accompaniment for chicken chasseur.
