Cabernet Merlot: A Marriage Of Divine Proportions
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are two of the most popular red wine varieties in Australia and in the world. Individually, they each represent a much-desired red wine which is outstanding in its own right. When blended together, they form a classic combination that exudes great breeding and distinction.
From 1988 to 2006, the number of Merlot plantings worldwide has grown by leaps and bounds from 4,000 acres to 50,000 acres. While there are no official figures that indicate the distribution of land areas dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon around the world, industry estimates peg the number to be near or even more than that of Merlot.
In Australia, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are the second and third most popular red wine grape varieties among wine producers, ranking behind Shiraz. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were 147 hectares dedicated to Merlot all over Australia, and Cabernet Sauvignon had an even higher number of vineyard plantings than that with 255 hectares.
In terms of nationwide areas allocated to specific grape varieties (bearing and non-bearing vineyards), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot ranked second and third, respectively, behind Shiraz among all red wine grape varieties. A total of 29,313 hectares were dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon nationwide in 2005, up from 28,261 hectares in 2004. Meanwhile, there were a total of 10,804 hectares dedicated to Merlot in 2005, which is slightly down from the 2004 total of 10,816 hectares.
As individual wine varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot have clearly made their mark. However, when combined correctly in perfect proportion, the two form an excellent brew. To quote one well-known wine critic, "each brings to the other an added dimension to give a red wine of classical breeding and distinction."
According to a leading wine producer, the ideal blend of Cabernet Merlot is about 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. The brew is resplendent with a deep black colour and a superb bouquet that exudes a touch of soft chocolate, dark plum and violets.
Among wine lovers and connoisseurs in the know, Cabernet Merlot is renowned as one of the classic varietal combinations in the world of wine. It first gained fame in the Medoc region of Bordeaux in France, and its popularity spread quickly to Australia, California and to the other major wine producing countries.
Wine experts cite the delightful combination of Cabernet Sauvignon’s blackcurrant flavour and its bramble leaf aroma combined and contrasted harmoniously with Merlot’s rich fruity flavor. The marriage of the two superb red wines has created a perfect wine of great distinction and style.
It is a wine that wonderfully titillates the palate with a rich flavour, particularly with the dark fruit richness of the Cabernet Sauvignon and the velvety, plumy texture of Merlot.
Cabernet Merlot is ideally blended under a cool climate. The award-winning Cabernet Merlot prepared by Silkwood Wines in Western Australia has received high marks domestically and internationally for exhibiting "good structure and mouth feel, with great length and cedary berry flavours." That particular blend of Cabernet Merlot was aged in the cellar for three to five years.
