Wine Resources International

In Australia SAUVIGNON BLANC is used to make fresh, vibrant wine styles with none of the heaviness of Chardonnay or the floral tones of Riesling. The variety normally displays intense tropical fruit flavours with varying degrees of herbaceousness behind which lie tropical fruit, passionfruit and gooseberry aromas. But Sauvignon Blanc goes further to provide a feast for the senses - from aromas of tomato leaf, spice and flint aromas to elements of asparagus, capsicum and gun smoke - to an equally diverse flavour spectrum.

Its flavour profile is in harmony with Semillon and consequently these varieties are often blended together producing an easy-drinking accompaniment to seafood.

MERLOT is most famous in its homeland of Bordeaux in France, where it is used to make some of the world's greatest and most expensive wines. It is most suited to  appellations of Pomerol and St Emilion, and with its characteristic fleshy, supple mid-palate its inclusion improves the balance and structure of a wine Cabernet dominant wines in the appellations of the Medoc.

It is a versatile variety, playing an important role in blends as well as being successful as a straight varietal. When seen on its own, it will be full of attractive primary fruit flavours of plums, red currant, mint, pimento, game, earth and leather. Its tannins are invariably soft and velvety making Merlot a good early drinking style

Merlot makes a perfect partner for Cabernet Sauvignon.