Merlot in Italy is not widely planted, but it is used in some notable wines. A good deal of it is found in Tuscany, where it can be part of the blend of Vin Nobile di Montepulciano or Chianti as well as Bolgheri. Some producers in Bolgheri produce a stand-alone version of Merlot, crafting a powerful wine that can age for more than a decade.

Merlot is also a part of several blended reds in the Veneto region, while there are several producers that craft a stand-alone version in Sicily, where the warm temperatures have resulted in ripe, fleshy wines with round, elegant tannins.