I drink red/purple wine twice a week for its supposed health benefits. And I like White Merlot, because it can be served at room temperature. But there is one thing I can’t figure out. Why is it that every time I buy “White” Merlot, it’s red? (I usually buy the somewhat cheaper Gallo brand, for what it’s worth.)
Merlot is a red grape. Hence, Merlot is a red wine. White Merlot is simply a sub-type of red Merlot wine. Somewhat confusing, I know.
Further to the above, from what I recall, White Merlot is not * as red* as say a full Merlot or a Chianti. IIRC the reason that it is “white” is because a portion of the grapes go directly to press without crushing the skins - hence less colour is extracted. This leaves a lighter colour wine - but still red…
Hope this helps.
Tarantula’s post, whilst correct, might be a bit misleading.
The red color in most red wines comes from the skins. But it’s entirely possible (and quite common) to make white wines from red grapes. Pinot grapes are red, but champagne style white wines are commonly made from Pinot grapes.
It would be possible to make a true “white” merlot, by not including any skin. The makers of your wine have chosen to include some skin, thus giving a "blush’ color.
It’s worth noting that some grapes, e.g. Alicante, have red flesh, not just red skins, and so you can make red wine from them without using the skins.
White merlot is white for the same reason that white zinfandel is white. They’re both blush wines made from a grape you can also get a red wine from.
It isn’t really red, it’s pink, yes?
It looks like this (although there’s some variation from one producer to the next).
That is right - it’s called “Rose” - with an acute accent on the “e”…
And to add just a bit more to Desmostylus’ point, the pigments in the grape skins are alcohol soluble, but not water soluble. This means that to achieve a ‘standard’ red wine, the skins must be left in during at least part of the fermentation process.
If this is any help to you at all, the sommelier at my favorite restaurant uses the term “perty pink giggle juice.”