The Merlot Grape & Wine Production – July 25, 2011
The Merlot Grape & Wine Production
Merlot is a classic red grape as ubiquitous with solid reliability as the noble Cabernet Sauvignon is. Merlot is cultivated the world over as a dependable, bold and fruity red. Merlot has made it’s name firstly as the main red grape planted in Bordeaux and more as a New World staple, successfully grown in the huge growth markets of California and Australia. It is a high yielding grape that seems to do well in a variety of climates. It’s age, this speaks for a lot, and is enough to encourage many vineyards to develop plots dedicated to Merlot crops in order to further satiate the low to mid-range world wine market.
Merlot as a drink is not particularly complex. It is enough to say, in fact, that one knows what they are getting when they buy a Merlot, and that usually it’s not half good, although by standards as a whole it is rarely an ‘excellent’ drink. Merlot has a distinct rich flavour, and often a velvety palate. If you enjoy a robust red, you cannot go far wrong, but be warned that it is rarely the most exciting drink on a wine menu.
It is most comparable to Cabernet Sauvignon, although it is possibly the less respected of the two amongst ‘experts’.
Origins and Development
The French slang ‘merlot’ meaning ‘little blackbird’ gives its name to this grape, due to its rich and sleek dark appearance – which gives the finished drink an almost regal air.
Merlot has been recorded in France since the late 18th Century and may have been a genetic mutation of Cabernet Franc. It has developed a wide following amongst Californian producers, with a recent rise in production in both Australia and New Zealand.
Merlot is generally used in France as part of traditional Bordeaux blend, where it accounts for a percentage of the grapes, alongside ‘Graves’ and ‘Medoc’, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc’ and ‘Petit Verdot’; amongst others. It is used to best effect in St Emillon and Pomerol as a dominant grape, supplemented by either Cabernet Franc or Merlot.
The Chateau Petrus, for example, has an outstanding reputation, although a good vintage will set you back a small fortune! It is possible, however, to find a good wine from a village local to St Emillon or Pomerol for a fraction of the price: a good merchant will be able help you do this, although a trip to the region will yield the best in value.
In the New World, whilst Merlot is often produced as a ‘varietal’ – with wines being produced using a high percentage of the grape (over 75%), many producers have begun to make Bordeaux style blends employing, for example, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. One example of this is the Australian Wolf Blass, Eaglehawk, Reserve Cabernet Merlot (retailing at around £6-7), which mixes the smoothness of Merlot with the richer aromas of Cabernet Sauvignon.
New World Merlot, in keeping with the New World trend tends to be stronger, or used in stronger blends of approximately 13-14% vol. The quality of these wines can vary greatly, and should you develop a penchant for Merlot it is worth experimenting across a broad price range.
Merlot and Food
key here is to combine Merlot with food ‘tough’ or meaty enough to withstand its strong plum flavours and chewable texture. Bolognese and Carbonara fare well here. Merlot also goes well with beef dishes, chicken, lamb, game, pork and grilled salmon. The robust palate finds it particularly suited to strong, heard cheeses such as Cheddar.
Source: http://www.exploringwine.co.uk/Merlot.html
As Manila becomes more congested and pollution becomes frustratingly intolerable, many families opt to spend a few quality nights and relax in this hotel in Angeles City Clark Pampanga. It is fair to say that YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is known for its faithful rendition of the American suburban lifestyle, all there for the enjoyment of all ages and all members of the family.
This resort hotel is different from other hotels in Clark Philippines or hotel in Angeles City. This Clark Freeport Hotel has large space for children to play and adults to enjoy some peace and quiet in the picnic grounds near the lake. Clark Philippines is lucky to have such a hotel. Travel agencies think it is also a nice event venue for company outings, wedding, team building and planning session in the Philippines. They don’t think Angeles City, Manila or Subic has event venues like those in this beach resort in Pampanga.
New camping sites and picnic grounds in Philippines are now available for family outings in Philippines at Yats Clearwater Resort & Country Club in Pampanga Angeles City near Manila Philippines. Just bring camping equipment and enjoy the fun and ambience of outdoor living camping in Angeles City Philippines under safe, secured and clean conditions.
This breakfast garden café is absolutely the most idyllic restaurant in Angeles City Clark Philippines. You named it right – Clearwater Breakfast Garden and Café. This is exactly what Clark Freeport needs, a nice simple bistro café where one can get good quality breakfast and enjoy the food in peace at leisure pace. This is the best hotel restaurant in Angeles City Clark Philippines and the eggs Benedict as well as American Breakfast and the pancakes are really world-class.
Traffic along the North Expressway NLEX from Manila to Clark is always light and the new Subic Tarlac Clark Expressway ScTex takes visitors straight into Clark Freeport without going through any towns and cities along the way.
For information as well as assistance with reservations in hotels and resorts in Pampanga, Clark Philippines, click here to contact HotelClarkPhilippines now
Or call us at
Hotel Clark Philippines
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
Email: Info@ClarkPhilippines.com
Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.
YATS Leisure Philippines is a HK-based developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine outlets http://www.YatsLeisure.com
To inquire with the beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com