Grape Variety: Merlot

Variety Name	Merlot
TTB Approved Name(s)	Merlot
All Synonyms	Alicante, Bigney, Bigney rouge, Bordeleze Belcha, Crabutet, Crabutet noir, Medoc noir, Merlau, Merlau rouge, Merle Petite, Merlo, Merlot noir, Odzalesi, Plant du Medoc, Plant Medoc, Seme de la Canau, Seme dou Flube, Semilhoun rouge, Semillon rouge, Vitraille
Countries of Origin	France
Species	Vitis vinifera
Pedigree	Magdeleine Noire des Charentes (a previously unknown variety) x Cabernet Franc (see reference 57)
References	Show 7 references Hide references Christensen, L et al. 2003. Wine Grape Varieties in California. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 3419. ENTAV. Catalogue of Selected Wine Grape Varieties and Clones Cultivated in France.1995. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food CTPS. France. Galet, P. 1998. Grape Varieties and Rootstock Varieties. Oenoplurimedia sarl. Chateau de Chaintre, France. Robinson, J. 2006. The Oxford Companion to Wine. Third edition. Oxford University Press. Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC). Federal Centre for Breeding Research on Cultivated Plants (BAZ). Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof (IRZ). August, 2007. Link The former National Grape Registry (NGR) was initially compiled and annotated using the earlier version of the Vitis database. The VIVC underwent a significant update beginning in 2007. Corresponding updates to this Registry will be made as necessary. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Code of Federal Regulations Title 27 Part 4.91 List of approved prime names. Link Boursiquot, J.-M., T. LaCombe, V. Laucou, S. Julliard, F.-X. Perrin, N. Lanier, D. Legrand, C. Meredith and P. This. 2009. Parentage of Merlot and related winegrape cultivars of southwestern France; discovery of the missing link, Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research 15: 144-155.
Berry Color	Black
Uses	Wine

Merlot PhotosClick photo to enlarge

Merlot Selections

Information about: Clonal Families, Selection Numbers and Registration Status

	Merlot [343 EV] (proprietary)
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Authorized French clone 343 from ENTAV-INRA in France
Proprietary	Proprietary- cannot be distributed without written permission from owner: ENTAV International
Comments	This selection came to Foundation Plant Services in 2009 from France via the Missouri Grape Importation & Certification Program at Missouri State University in Mountain Grove, Missouri. It is the authorized French clone 343 from ENTAV-INRA. Plant material may be obtained in the United States from official ENTAV-INRA licensees.
	Merlot [01]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	California vineyard (Inglenook)
Comments	This selection came to Foundation Plant Services at UC Davis around 1960 from the Inglenook vineyard in Napa. The original material for this selection did not undergo heat treatment at FPS and was first planted in the foundation vineyard in 1961. A second selection (Merlot 03) also came to FPS from a different source vine at Inglenook but underwent heat treatment for 64 days. Merlot 01 underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy at FPS in 2006. That treated material successfully completed testing to qualify it for planting in the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard, where it was planted in 2012 as Merlot 01.1.
	Merlot [03]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Inglenook Vineyard, Napa, California
Comments	This selection came to Foundation Plant Services at UC Davis around 1960 from the Inglenook vineyard in Napa. The original material for this selection underwent heat treatment for 64 days at FPS and was first planted in the foundation vineyard in 1965. A second selection (Merlot 01) also came to FPS from a different source vine at Inglenook but did not undergo heat treatment. Merlot 03 underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy at FPS in 2011 to qualify for planting in the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard. The treated material successfully completed testing in 2013 and will be planted at Russell Ranch as Merlot 03.1.
	Merlot [06]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	California vineyard (Monte Rosso)
	Merlot [08]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Mendoza, Argentina
Comments	This selection was imported to Davis in 1973 from Expt. Agropecuria in Mendoza, Argentina (USDA-ARS Plant Identification number 379557). The original material underwent heat treatment twice at Foundation Plant Services for periods of 62 days each time. After basic index testing, the selection was planted in the FPS foundation vineyard in 1976 as Merlot 08. Merlot 08 underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy in 2011 to qualify for the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard. The treated material successfully completed testing in 2013 and will be planted at Russell Ranch as Merlot 08.1.
	Merlot [09]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Rauscedo 3, Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo, Italy
Comments	This selection came to Foundation Plant Services in the mid-1980s from Italy. The clone number is Rauscedo 3. The original material did not undergo treatment and achieved Provisional status at FPS in 1995. Merlot 09 underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy in 2012 and qualified for the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard in 2014.
	Merlot [10]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	ISV-V-F-2, Istituto Sperimentale per la Viticoltura, Conegliano, Italy
Comments	This selection came to Foundation Plant Services in 1988 from the Istituto Sperimentale per la Viticoltura in Conegliano, Italy, as part of the Winegrowers' Project. The material is Merlot clone ISV-V-F-2. The original material successfully completed testing and was planted in the FPS Classic Foundation Vineyard in 1990 as Merlot 10. Merlot 10 underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy at FPS in 2012. That treated material successfully completed testing to qualify for the FPS Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard in 2015.
	Merlot [11]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	ISV-V-F-5, Istituto Sperimentale per la Viticoltura, Conegliano, Italy
Comments	This selection came to Foundation Plant Services in 1988 from the Istituto Sperimentale per la Viticoltura in Conegliano, Italy, as part of the Winegrowers' Project. The material is Merlot clone ISV-V-F-5. The original material successfully completed testing and was planted in the FPS Classic Foundation Vineyard in 1990 as Merlot 11. Merlot 11 underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy at FPS in 2012. That treated material successfully completed testing to qualify for the FPS Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard in 2015.
	Merlot [12]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	ISV-V-F-6, Istituto Sperimentale per la Viticoltura, Conegliano, Italy
Comments	This selection came to Foundation Plant Services in 1988 from the Istituto Sperimentale per la Viticoltura in Conegliano, Italy, as part of the Winegrowers' Project. The material is Merlot clone ISV-V-F-6. The original material successfully completed testing and was planted in the FPS Classic Foundation Vineyard in 1990 as Merlot 12. Merlot 12 underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy at FPS in 2012. That treated material successfully completed testing to qualify for the FPS Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard in 2015.
	Merlot [15]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	France
Comments	Merlot 15 came to Foundation Plant Services on March 9, 1989, from the Chambre d'Agriculture de la Gironde in France with the name 'Merlot noir'. This clone was added to the FPS collection as part of the Winegrowers' Project, although it came directly to FPS, rather than through Oregon State University. The plant material for this selection was known by several names at FPS during testing and upon release from quarantine - including Merlot noir S3, Merlot noir 02, Merlot S13 and Merlot 15. After successful completion of testing for the California Grapevine Registration & Certification Program, Merlot 15 first appeared on the list of registered vines in 1997. Merlot 15 underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy in 2011 to qualify for planting in the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard. The treated material successfully completed testing in 2013 and will be planted at Russell Ranch as Merlot 15.1.
	Merlot [18]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Heritage Bear Flat clone, from Sterling Vineyard, Napa
Comments	This selection was donated to the Foundation Plant Services public collection in 1996 by Sterling Vineyards from their Bear Flat vineyard. This selection was created as a backup for the original selection, Merlot 18, using microshoot tip tissue culture therapy in 1996. The treated backup material successfully completed testing to qualify for the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard in 2014.
	Merlot [20]
Registration Status	Registered
Comments	This selection was imported to Foundation Plant Services in 1995 from France as a proprietary selection. The original material for this selection was known originally at FPS as Merlot 17, which underwent microshoot tip tissue culture disease elimination therapy and was renamed Merlot 20. Merlot 20 was planted in the FPS Classic Foundation Vineyard in 2000 after successful completion of testing for the California Grapevine Registration & Certification Program. Merlot 20 successfully completed testing under the 2010 Protocol in 2011, after which it was planted in the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard as Merlot 20.1. The proprietary status for this selection expired in 2002.
	Merlot [21]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	ISV-V-F-4, Istituto Sperimentale per la Viticoltura, Conegliano, Italy
	Merlot [22]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Reported to be clone 348 from France
Comments	Original FPS name was Merlot noir
	Merlot [23] (proprietary)
Registration Status	Registered
Source	VCR 1, Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo, Italy
Proprietary	Proprietary- cannot be distributed without written permission from owner.
Comments	This proprietary selection came to Foundation Plant Services in 1999 from Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo in Italy. The clone is Merlot VCR 1. Merlot 23 successfully completed testing to qualify for the California Grapevine Registration & Certification Program in 2002. The original material underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy at FPS in 2013 and qualified for the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard in 2016.
	Merlot [24] (proprietary)
Registration Status	Registered
Source	VCR 101, Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo, Italy
Proprietary	Proprietary- cannot be distributed without written permission from owner.
Comments	This proprietary selection came to Foundation Plant Services in 2000 from Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo in Italy. The clone is Merlot VCR 101. Merlot 24 successfully completed testing to qualify for the Califiornia Grapevine Registration & Certification Program in 2002. The original material for this selection underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy at FPS in 2013 and qualified for the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard in 2016.
	Merlot [25]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Sonoma County vineyard
Comments	This selection came to Foundation Plant Services in 2000 from a vineyard in Sonoma County. The original material successfully completed testing for the California Grapevine Registration & Certification Program and was planted in the FPS Classic Foundation Vineyard in 2002. Meanwhile, FPS made a backup vine for Merlot 25 using microshoot tip tissue culture therapy in 2001. That backup vine successfully completed testing to qualify it for planting in the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard, where it was planted in 2012 as Merlot 25.1.
	Merlot [26]
Registration Status	Registered
Comments	This selection was imported to Foundation Plant Services in 1995 from France as a proprietary selection. This material was known originally at FPS as Merlot 19, which was planted in the foundation vineyard. Merlot 19 underwent microshoot tip tissue culture disease elimination therapy in 1996 and was renamed Merlot 26. Merlot 26 successfully completed testing for the California Grapevine Registration & Certification Program and was planted in the FPS Classic Foundation Vineyard in 2003. After successful completion of testing under the 2010 Protocol, Merlot 26 was planted in the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard in 2011 as Merlot 26.1. Merlot 26/26.1 has been donated to the FPS public collection.
	Merlot [27]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Napa County, California
Comments	This selection was donated to the Foundation Plant Services public collection in 2002 by Larry Hyde, a well-respected grape grower in Napa County, California. He indicates that the original source of this selection was the Niebaum Vineyards in Napa.
	Merlot [28]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	France
Comments	This selection is one of the Vincent series (Vincent series #2), which was donated to the Foundation Plant Services public collection in 2004 by an anonymous donor near Bordeaux, France.
	Merlot [29]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	France
Comments	This selection is in the Vincent series (Vincent series #4), which was donated to the Foundation Plant Services public collection in 2004 by an anonymous donor near Bordeaux, France.
	Merlot [30]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Bordeaux, France
Comments	The Vincent series came to Foundation Plant Services in 2004 from an anonymous and well-respected producer of French wine near Bordeaux, France. This selection is Vincent #3 from that French vineyard.
	Merlot [31]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Jorge Böhm, Viveiros Plansel S.A., Portugal
Comments	This selection came to Foundation Plant Services in 2007 from Jorge Böhm, Viveiros Plansel S.A., in Portugal. The material is JPB clone 591. The original material successfully completed testing to qualify for the California Registration & Certification Program in 2009. The original material underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy at FPS in 2009. When the tissue culture version of this selection successfully qualified for the R & C Program, it was planted in the Classic Foundation Vineyard in 2013 as Merlot 31.2 as a backup to Merlot 31 and 31.1.
	Merlot [32]
Registration Status	Provisional
Source	Vincent series #1, Bordeaux, France
Comments	This selection came to Foundation Plant Services in 2004 from an anonymous and well-respected producer of French wine near Bordeaux, France. This selection is Vincent #1 in the Merlot group from the Vincent series. After successful completion of testing for the California Grapevine Registration & Certification Program, the material was planted in the Classic Foundation Vineyard in 2009 as Merlot 32. Merlot 32 underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy in 2011 to qualify for planting in the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard. The treated material successfully completed testing in 2013 to qualify for the Russell Ranch Vineyard as Merlot 32.1.
	Merlot [35]
Registration Status	Provisional
Source	Three Palms selection, from Larry Hyde Vineyards, Napa
Comments	This selection was donated to the Foundation Plant Services public collection in 2002 by Larry Hyde, a well respected grower and winemaker from Napa, California. The selection is known as the Three Palms clone. The original material underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy in 2010 and qualified for the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard in 2014.
	Merlot [37]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Northern Italy via vineyard at Rutgers University
Comments	This selection came to Foundation Plant Services in 2012 from Dr. Dan Ward, Viticulture Extension Specialist, Rutgers University in New Jersey. This Merlot material arrived in the United States with the name 'Merlot 88 BM'. The book Vitigni d'Italia shows that one of the Italian Merlot clones is 'BM-8B', which originated in Brescia. It seems likely that the '88 BM' on the original material was probably mistranscribed from 'BM-8B'. The plant material for this selection has been grown in the vineyard at the Agriculture, Research and Extension Center at Rutgers since the early 1990's. The original material was imported to Rutgers in the early 1990's from Trentino Alto-Adige, in northern Italy, and came into the United States through the quarantine program at Geneva, New York. It is believed that this clone might be more cold tolerant than other clones of this cultivar. The original material successfully completed testing to qualify for the FPS Classic Foundation Vineyard in 2015.
	Merlot [40]
Registration Status	Provisional
	Merlot [181] (proprietary)
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Merlot ENTAV-INRA ® 181 authorized clone from ENTAV in France
Proprietary	Proprietary- cannot be distributed without written permission from owner: ENTAV International
Comments	This proprietary selection came to Foundation Plant Services in 1997 from France. It is the official French clone 181, which is authenticated via the ENTAV-INRA French trademark program. Merlot ENTAV-INRA® 181 was planted in the FPS Classic Foundation Vineyard in 1999 after successful completion of testing for the California Grapevine Registration & Certification Program. In 2010, Merlot 181 underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy in order to qualify for planting in the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard. After successful completion of testing under the 2010 Protocol, Merlot ENTAV-INRA® 181.1 was planted in the Russell Ranch vineyard in 2012.
	Merlot [314] (proprietary)
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Merlot ENTAV-INRA ® 314 authorized clone from ENTAV in France
Proprietary	Proprietary- cannot be distributed without written permission from owner: ENTAV International
Comments	Distributed by ENTAV-INRA licensees
	Merlot [346] (proprietary)
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Merlot ENTAV-INRA ® 346
Proprietary	Proprietary- cannot be distributed without written permission from owner: ENTAV International
Comments	This selection was imported to the United States in 1997 from France by ENTAV-INRA, which manages the trademarked French clonal material. The selection is official French clone 346. The clone originated from the Gironde region in Bordeaux and was previously known as INRA-Bx 2432. It was certified in 1975 and became known as Merlot 346. Merlot 346 qualified for the FPS Classic Foundation Vineyard in 1999. The selection underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy at FPS in 2016 and qualified for the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard in 2018 as Merlot 346.1.
	Merlot [348] (proprietary)
Registration Status	Registered
Source	Merlot ENTAV-INRA ® 348 authorized clone from ENTAV in France
Proprietary	Proprietary- cannot be distributed without written permission from owner: ENTAV International
Comments	Distributed by ENTAV-INRA licensees