Merlot - Bordeaux, France is Merlot’s birthplace - the regions of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. Merlot is nowadays widely planted across the world much like Cabernet Sauvignon because it is an early maturing grape variety and because of its ability to ripen fully even in slightly cooler climates. Smooth, velvety, soft and rounded - an “easy drinking" wine with tender tannic structure - these are the common descriptions of Merlot wines.