Merlot

Question 1

Colour

Answer 1

Black

Question 2

Budding

Answer 2

Early

Question 3

Ripening

Answer 3

Mid –> grapes can be picked before autumn rain

Question 4

Diseases

Answer 4

Coulure, drought, botrytis bunch rot –> sorting –> reduce yields

Question 5

Soil

Answer 5

Ripens on cooler soils with large clay content. Water holding capacity of clay –> large berries. Reaches high sugar levels –> high potential alcohol –> becoming less advantageous with warmer climate.

Question 6

Flavour profile

Answer 6

Medium to pronounced intense fruit (strawberry, red plum, herbal (cool years), cooked blackberry, black plum (hot years)), medium tannins, medium to high alcohol.