white merlot

[dbracken]

i was asked about white merlots and who makes any. I did not have an answer as I have never heard of white merlot (no, not white zin). Will appreciate any info available

[Jerry D Mead]

I predict you'll be hearing a lot more about them in the next couple of years, what with the overplanting of Merlot in California and elsewhere...often in regions not best suited for the grape.

Sutter Home is making a Merlot Rose (same basic thing) and Bolla from Italy used to make a White Merlot. I think there are a couple of other Italian versions...and maybe an American bag-in-box?

Wines made from red grapes that are labeled "White," indicate that they're made in the style of a white wine...that is just the juice fermented with no skin contact to pick up color. Because the grapes ARE red some color gets extracted just in the crushing and/or pressing process and that's why they are usually pink/bronze or a touch orange in color, depending on the variety.

[Thomas]

A Finger Lakes winery, Prejean, began producing White Merlot in 1993. It is not an annual event, though; happens when the vintage year is uncooperative.