Winemaker Notes
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Among its rugged and diverse landscape, North Carolina’s exciting wine trails boast well over 100 unique wineries. Already abundant in regional food, festivals, art and music, the North Carolina wine experience merges seamlessly with its local culture.
Vineyards appear in three distinct regions: Mountains, Piedmont and the Coast. The Mountains region includes the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains, while the Piedmont region’s art and food culture offers the perfect setting for any wine tour. The Coast remains unsurpassed in beauty and charm. All three regions include official AVAs (American Viticultural Areas).