Where Plush Lives

Merlot is one of the world’s most planted wine grapes and is now planted on every continent except Antarctica. In fact, it would be quicker to list the countries where it is not grown than those where it is. Part of the reason may be that merlot is usually easier to ripen than its half-siblings cabernet sauvignon, malbec, and carménère, but the grape also possesses a core of dense fruit that makes it undeniably attractive, especially when made by top estates the world over.