In Italy, there were 63,290 acres of the grape planted in 2000 with more than two-thirds of Italian Merlot being used in Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) blends such as the so-called Super Tuscans versus being used in classified Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) or Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wines.
Merlot Grapes

A large portion of Merlot is planted in the Friuli wine region where it is made as a varietal or sometimes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc. In other parts of Italy, such as the Maremma coast in Tuscany, it is often blended with Sangiovese to give the wine a similar softening effect as the Bordeaux blends.Italian Merlots are often characterized by their light bodies and herbal notes Merlot's low acidity serves as a balance for the higher acidity in many Italian wine grapes with the grape often being used in blends in the Veneto, Alto Adige and Umbria