Merlot

Merlot is an early-budding, mid-season-ripening black grape from Bordeaux whose wines span a wide stylistic range. Bordeaux examples can be light and juicy or concentrated and built to age; Merlot also appears in other regions, including Friuli, where local sources describe a distinct regional expression. Its parentage is established by DNA research, while the finished wine’s body, freshness and texture depend on place and cellar choices.

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Cinsault

Cinsaut is a black grape from southern France, probably Provence, whose generous cropping and drought tolerance make vineyard conditions especially important. In hot, dry sites with restrained yields, French technical sources describe the potential for supple, fruity wines and expressive rosé; high fertility can instead push yields beyond what makes good-quality fruit. In the Rhône it appears in both red blends and rosé, while South African growers have developed varietal bottlings as well as blends. The cultivar also has a significant South African connection: it is one parent of Pinotage.

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