Originally from Bordeaux, the variety has been exported and successfully cultivated all over the world. The grape is suitable for single-varietal vinification as well as for blending with other grape varieties, as is often practised with great success in Bordeaux. The grape is characterised by moderate acidity and rather soft tannins. The skin is rather thin and black-blue in colour.

Single-varietal Merlot wines can be drunk early, they have a light to medium body and aromas of red fruit, such as strawberry or red plums, as well as herbaceous nuances.

Mature Merlot has a medium to full body and flavours of black fruits such as blackberry, black plum, liquorice and more. As the climate warms up, the wines tend to become more and more full-bodied.