This page contains all variations of the Merlot gene. 

Please Note: This page covers only the base coat effects of the Merlot gene. In order to see other dilutes or modifiers, you will have to go to the individual pages for those genes. 
​
In order to search for a specific base coat on this page, use ctrl f to bring up a page search option, then type what you are looking for. 

---

Merlot Bases

---

Occurs as: __ nMe | __ MeMe

Merlot is a non-natural-based dilute gene in Nordanner -- causing the base coat to dilute to a desaturated red, blue, purple-ish berry tone, or a combination of all three, depending on the underlying base.  It affects the entire base coat equally, diluting both the body and the mane and tail.
Merlot is a dominant gene, meaning that it only needs one copy, or allele, in order for it to be present. Merlot also cannot be carried, and will be present in the phenotype of the horse if it has at least one copy of the gene. 

Merlot was introduced to the breed by: Moosiferr
​
Horses with this gene CAN:

• Have varying colors according to the underlying base:
  • Chestnut Merlot: dilutes to a red or red-wine colored base.
  • Bay Merlot: dilutes to a red, red-wine, or purple-tinted base. May have points which are not quite black, and which may shift toward the blue range. On a seal bay, the horse may be more blue-tinted, but must have some sort of red or purple tint where the countershading is. 
  • Black Merlot: dilutes to a blue or blackberry-tinted base (blackberry meaning the actual berry). 
• Optionally allows for a sooty, pangare, and/or dappling effect across the base coat. 
• Be affected by most all dilutes and modifiers. The effect on the horse's coat will be the same as other bases (The exceptions being mushroom, lilac, and verdin. See below).
• Have a mane and tail which is appropriate to the underlying base (chestnut, bay, or black).
• Have white markings that are not caused by any form of genetic white. Please see the Natural White page to learn more about what is acceptable for non-genetic white.

Horses with this gene CANNOT:​

• Be modified by mushroom or lilac. Merlot will cover both genes, meaning that it is dominant over those genes. 
• Modify a horse with Verdin. Verdin covers merlot, meaning that it is dominant. 
• Display eye colors other than grey or dark blue, unless another gene which changes eye color is present. 
• Have a mane and tail which are lighter than the body, unless flaxen or silver is present. 
• Be so saturated that they appear bright red, blue, or purple, unless Glimmer or Radioactive Glimmer is present. 

​The examples below show only three of the accepted shades, for you to get an idea of what Merlot can look like. Overall, the color bar above should be your guide for the acceptable range of coloration. ​

Merlot on Chestnut

---

Merlot on Bay

---

Merlot on Black

---

---

Merlot on Buckskin - Ee Aa nCr

​The examples on either side show only two of the accepted shades, for you to get an idea of what Merlot can look like with other dilutes. Dilution due to other dilutes should follow the same rules as those other genes, and you should refer to those pages when deciding how light your base should be! ​​

Merlot on Smokey Cream - EE aa CrCr

Please note: Nordanner genes may simplify certain genes from real life. Genes may not present in Nordanner the way they do in real life or in other ARPG breeds, and are as close to being realistic as possible while still maintaining standards within the breed. ​​