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- Rich, velvety Aussie Merlot with lush plum fruit, from larger-than-life Johnny Q!from £10.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £24.00
- Delightful, juicy-fresh Merlot from eastern Italy. Smooth plum and cherry – easy going and moreishfrom £8.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £12.00
- Velvety smooth, richly fruity and deliciously supple drinking. Modern-style, great-value Bordeauxfrom £9.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £12.00
- From Chile's four-time 'Winery of the Year' comes this smooth, ripe and brightly plummy Merlotfrom £9.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £12.00
- Smooth, velvety Merlot - a style that Chile excels with – supple ripe fruit with gentle spicefrom £11.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £24.00
- A joyful abundance of bright, young plum fruit in this attractive Merlot from Spain's Valenciafrom £7.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £12.00
- Super-silky and vibrant Merlot from a top Romanian winery. Heaps of juicy spiced plum fruitfrom £7.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £12.00
- As sensuous as the dance after which it's named, Tarantella Merlot is full of spiced damson pleasurefrom £11.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £24.00
- Super-smooth ‘more please’ Merlot mix – just £7.99 a bottle£95.88 per caseSAVE £32.00
- Generous, ripe and juicy – the epitome of sun-ripened Merlot from a favourite Rhône winemakerfrom £11.49 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £18.00
- Bursting with appealing cherry and red summer fruits, a delicious, silky-soft Merlot from Spainfrom £9.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £24.00
- Four Gold medals so far for this stunning, smooth Bordeaux in a lovely ripe vintagefrom £15.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £24.00
- Fine, mature Puisseguin claret from 4th-generation owners of 1er Grand Cru Classé Beau-Séjour Bécot£25.00 per bottle
- Juicy supple plum fruit – southern French Merlot made exclusively for us by an award-winning cellarfrom £9.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £36.00
- Exceptional 93-pt second wine from Saint-Émilion's Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Canon£40.00 per bottle
- Ripe, smooth and boldly fruity, a deliciously moreish, plum-filled Merlot from the Golden Statefrom £9.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £12.00
- Forward, silky, ripe plum fruit in this appealing, easy-drinking Merlot-focused claretfrom £11.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £24.00
- Forward, silky, ripe plum fruit in this appealing, easy-drinking Merlot-focused claretfrom £11.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £18.00
- Charming Spanish Merlot with red fruits and a gentle spice, enclosed in an innovative paper bottlefrom £10.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £36.00
- Rich claret full of serious Merlot charm, from Right Bank Bordeaux Christophe Reboul Salzefrom £14.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £24.00
- Exceptional 94-pt second wine from Saint-Émilion's Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Canonfrom £31.00 per bottleSAVE UP TO £84.00
- Fine, elegant and precise 92-point Bordeaux from forgotten Fronsac and a top estate of the region£21.00 per bottle
- Deliciously mature classic claret from Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux and the great Nicolas Thienpontfrom £19.99 per bottlewhen you mix 12+SAVE £48.12
- Rich, 93-point, pure-Merlot claret, full of dark berries and spice, from a top château of the regionfrom £21.00 per bottle
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Merlot FAQs
What is Merlot and where is it grown?
Merlot is an easy-drinking red wine, celebrated for its soft, juicy, plummy character.
The name “Merlot” (pronounced ‘mur-low’) is believed to be inspired by ‘merle’, the French word for blackbird – a nod to the deep colour shared by the bird and the grapes. Another theory suggests it’s named after the blackbirds themselves, which were known to like eating the early-ripening grapes from the vine.
Merlot is originally from the Bordeaux region of France, where it still dominates in vineyards alongside Cabernet Sauvignon. However, thanks to its adaptability, Merlot is now popular with winemakers across the globe. This grape thrives in a range of climates, from Central Europe and Canada, to Argentina and Chile, and even spots like New Zealand, United States of America and South Africa.
On the hunt for a good Merlot? Dive into our handpicked range of Merlot wines from all corners of the globe and find your next beloved red.
What is Merlot’s style and character and what does it taste like?
Merlot can produce wines in a range of styles, from fruit-forward to full-bodied, sophisticated and age-worthy.
This is because Merlot adapts to most soils and climates … and because of this, you’ll find different styles of wine depending on where the grapes are grown. Bordeaux Merlots tend to be rich and robust, while Chilean Merlots are much fruiter.
Most are dry, with medium acidity, and deeply rich in colour (though lighter than its Cabernet Sauvignon sibling).
So smooth and velvety, expect a range of flavours – everything from fresh plum, cherry and baked blackberry, to dark chocolate and heady spices like clove. When aged in oak, Merlot can develop vanilla and mocha notes … and those spice flavours will become ever deeper.
How to pick a good Merlot?
Because of its versatility, there’s a Merlot style and price-point for everyone. The top regions for good Merlot include:
Bordeaux remains the home of the most iconic and classic Merlots.
The regions of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol produce benchmark Merlot-rich wines and blends that are perfect for long-term ageing as they develop more depth and complexity over time. Bordeaux Merlots are typically complex with notes of ripe plum and black cherry and subtle undertones of cedar and truffle.
When aged, Bordeaux Merlots can develop spice, leather and tobacco flavours.
Southern France
Winemakers in southern France have more freedom to experiment when crafting their wines – they aren’t restricted by strict rules like other appellations. This means that Merlot from southern France is unapologetically fruit-forward – and good value.
Southern French Merlots are typically medium-bodied, with soft tannins and vibrant red fruit flavours. This style of Merlot is perfect for casual drinking and pairing with hearty red meats.
Chilean Merlots are known for their ripe, expressive flavours of plum and blackberry, which are often complemented by subtle notes of chocolate.
Typically medium to full-bodied, Chilean Merlots are velvet-smooth with soft tannins and balanced acidity.
Chilean Merlot often punches way above its price point, offering great value for money.
Australia
Big, bold and fruity … Aussie Merlot in a nutshell. Expect lush, rich flavours of plum, black cherry and hints of vanilla if a wine has been oak aged.
Australian Merlots are typically full-bodied with rounded tannins that make them the perfect crowd-pleasing tipple.
If you’re looking for a ripe, fruit-driven Merlot, then look across the pond, to sun-kissed California. The range of terroirs means California produces a range of style, from bold and oaky, to elegant and refined.
The warmer climate means Californian Merlots can have a sweeter profile – expect cherries, blackberries and notes of mocha spice and cedar.
What food to pair with Merlot?
Merlot’s broad flavour spectrum makes it a delightful wine for food pairings. In fact, because of its versatility, it’s hard to go wrong when pairing Merlot.
As a general rule, fruity Merlot, like those from Australia or Chile, is ideal for everyday foods like pizza, lasagna, or burgers.
If you’re enjoying richer foods like rib eye, roasted pork or lamb, or filet mignon, you’ll want to pair that with a finer Merlot, like a Saint- Émilion claret.
How to serve Merlot?
As with most red wines, Merlot is best served after it’s been allowed to breathe.
Decant 30 minutes before pouring and serve in an oversized wine glass to let those rich, fruity flavours develop and reach their full potential.
Serve Merlot at room temperature, between 16 and 18°C. Interested in learning more? Read our guide to wine serving temperatures.
Can I send Merlot as a gift?
Yes, you can send Merlot as a gift.
Whether you want to send a single bottle of wine or a gift set, we have wine gifts for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and more.
When will my Merlot be delivered?
The date of your delivery will depend on which option you choose at checkout. We offer:
Standard delivery is ideal if you’re buying for yourself or as a thank you gift. We’ll deliver your order within three working days.
Next-day delivery is a great choice for last-minute gifts, while Named-day delivery is perfect for anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions. Do bear in mind that we don’t deliver on Sundays or Bank Holidays.
Top tip: for the best experience, subscribe to our Unlimited service. You’ll make a one-off payment of £29.99 which entitles you to free delivery for a year – as often as you like – even on single bottles.
Can I get a Merlot wine subscription?
With a Laithwaites wine subscription, you’re can tell us what kind of wine you prefer, and how many bottles you’d like to receive on each delivery. You can then choose how often you’d like to receive your case – every four or eight weeks.