The colour is pale straw. On the nose pears, white peaches, orange peels and white flowers. In the mouth grapey and refreshing. The aftertaste is medium long.
This wine is made with 100% Merlot grapes vinified off the skins.
White Merlot del Ticino was born in 1986, when a local Cooperative, faced with chronic grapes’ oversupply, decided to produce a white wine. Other producers followed suit. Nowadays the share of Merlot grapes vinified in white in Ticino is more than 30% of the total production.
Merlot is the main grape of Canton Ticino, where it has been imported from France for experimental purposes at the beginning of the 20th century, during the post-phylloxera period.
Currently Merlot covers about 80% of the planted area in a Canton with some 3’600 grape growers and 200 or so winemakers. Approximately 1’000 hectares are devoted to viticulture.
White Merlot is not my kind of wine. Nevertheless, I find this exemplar made by Gialdi a pleasant Apero wine.
I bought this bottle at the winery for 16 CHF.
Country: Switzerland
Region: Ticino
Grapes: Merlot
Type: White
Vintage: 2020
Producer: Gialdi
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5
The colour is pale ruby. On the nose wild strawberries, pepper and clove. In the mouth light and simple, but balanced and pleasant. The aftertaste is medium long.
The colour is deep ruby. On the nose at first muted. After some time, white chocolate, cheddar, mocha, charcoal. In the mouth gripping, but elegant tannins. This wine has a very solid structure and (hopefully) a great potential, but needs a lot more time cellaring before being able to express its full personality. Despite its youth, this wine presents a very harmonious character. The aftertaste is long. 
The colour is deep salmon, with very fine, medium-lasting bubbles. On the nose canine rose, strawberries, bred crust. In the mouth firm tannins, which is unusual for a Champagne, and lightly salty. The aftertaste is medium long.
The colour is medium ruby. On the nose red fruits, such as red cherries, raspberries and strawberries. In the mouth simple but balanced and enjoyable. The aftertaste is short but pleasant.
The colour is pale amber. On the nose fruits under spirit, walnuts, wood. In the mouth smooth and sweet. Well balanced. The aftertaste is drying and last for a pleasant while.
The colour is pale gold, with medium fine, short-lasting bubbles. On the nose cream, melon honeydew and pears. All very subtle. In the mouth not very tasty. A bit flat. The aftertaste is fresh, but short.
The colour is deep garnet. On the nose meaty, smoky, spicy, with some prunes. In the mouth very tasty with a bitter finish. The aftertaste last for a while.
The colour is medium gold, with very fine, short-lasting bubbles. On the nose cream, apricot, lime and almonds. In the mouth tasty and filling, with sensations consistent with the nose. The aftertaste is fresh and medium long.
This Blanc de Blancs is made with 100% Chardonnay grapes using the traditional method and spends two years on the lees. It is a simple, but well made sparkling wine.