10 September 2017
Pleasant black cherry, plum, mocha and herbaceous notes on the nose. In the mouth smooth, rounded and easy to drink. Good persistence.
This mid-range (26 CHF) Merlot from the Ronchi around Bellinzona offers a decent price/quality ratio. Unfortunately this is not often the case with the Merlot del Ticino.
Since I started developing the ability to judge a wine based on the content of the glass and not on third party reviews, prizes or points, I’ve become increasingly critical on the price/quality ratio of the wines of my home region. Some wines produced in Ticino are certainly enjoyable, but similar products can be had in France or Italy for 30% or even 50% cheaper.
While traveling by train through Ticino, I often notice that the wine landscape of my Canton is moving down from the hills to the low land. This dynamic is well represented by the Magadino’s plain, where recently, contrary to tradition, quite a few vineyards have been planted. This dynamic makes me wonder how the quality of the Merlot del Ticino will develop. For sure the labour costs will decrease and the yields increase. As a consequence, the relatively high price paid for the wine in Ticino will become even more difficult to justify.
Country: Switzerland
Region: Ticino
Grapes: Merlot
Type: Red
Vintage: 2013
Producer: CAGI
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 4/5