About Just Wines. Just remember Cabernet Sauvignon has a strong, bold, rich flavor with a biting edge. 1. With these last two, you’ll need to inspect the label or winemakers’ notes further to identify the varietals (types of grapes) used in the blend. You can identify them in a few ways. For Merlot, this means the wine has that deep, rich, full-flavor, but with a softer silkiness to it. Both can be found in Sonoma County, Napa Valley, the northeastern United States, and the southern Australia. Left Bank Bordeaux is produced in the major regions of Médoc and Graves, but look for these sub-region names on the label: Médoc sub-region names: Haut-Médoc, Listrac-Médoc, Margaux, Moulis-en-Médoc, Pauillac Saint-Estèphe, and Saint-Julien. This is where it can get tricky, especially when identifying the blends with American wines and even more so with French and Italian wines. Shiraz is a variety of grape, used mainly to blend with other varieties when very ripe. 6000+ white, red, mixed & sparkling Australian wines available for shopping. Cabernet sauvignon (Ca-burr-nay so-veen-yaw) Widely accepted as one of the world’s best varieties. The fruitiness of the Merlot is used to combat the bitterness of the tannin that is often present in Cabernet wines. You can find some great options for each of them within these in depth pages: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This means Left Bank. Chardonnay vs Sauvignon Blanc. Focus on the 7 Noble Grapes first then taste, learn, pair. Merlot has traditionally been considered as a bit of an “underdog” compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot and Cabernet, they’re the two most popular red wines in America, but many people don’t know what makes each of them different and unique, or why you might prefer one to the other, so we’re here to help. Merlot vs Malbec: Differentiating the Two Premium Red Wines. St Émilion sub-region names: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Lussac Saint-Émilion, Puisseguin Saint-Émilion, Montagne Saint-Émilion, Saint-Georges Saint-Émilion, Pomerol sub-region name: Lalande de Pomerol. Referencias . Cabernet is a grape that is extremely age-worthy and often winemakers will say wines made using the grape need more time to age in the bottle before being opened because when young the wine’s tannins can be very aggressive. Otros datos 6. As you can see, what one lacks the other provides. Sure both of these wines are great with food, especially meat, but each has its own set of characteristics, and it’s these differences that actually make the wines perfect for blending together, as is done when making Bordeaux, because when combined their individual traits support one another in a really delicious way. However, Merlot has a variety of positive attributes that make it a delicious, affordable choice for serving at a dinner party, or another special occasion. Depending on the climate where Merlot grapes are grown, you’ll get slightly different fruit notes. Madeline Puckette blind tastes 2 wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is sometimes referred to as the ‘King of red wine grapes’. Cabernet Sauvignon is also grown in Medoc and Pessac-Leognan, whereas Merlot is also grown in Pomerol, St. Emilion, and Fronsac. That then translated into Cabernet becoming the dominant grape in their Bordeaux blends, and thus resulted in the creation of “left bank” Bordeaux. Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Merlot : Comparison Chart . Can you tell the difference between Cabernet and Merlot? Shiraz (also known as Syrah) is a dark-skinned, black grape originating in the SHIRAZ region of Iran but grown in most wine regions across the globe. The Merlot type of wine is less tannic (rough) than Cabernet Sauvignon. The labels will include Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon right on the front of the label so there is no confusion. Contenidos: Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon: Due to the high level of tannins and its sometimes peppery flavor, Cabernet Sauvignon is best drunk with food. No comments. Different parts of the world started growing the two grape strains in the mid 1950s. Its flavor profile is in stark contrast to merlot's, boasting vanilla, warm spice, tobacco and even leather flavors and aromas. "Merlot, however, leans … Note that Pinot Noir has the lightest color intensity, while Cabernet Sauvignon has the deepest color intensity. The grape is much more tannic, meaning it will give your mouth that drying sensation, and it’s often said to have a strong “backbone” which is just another way of saying it’s hearty and powerful, capable of standing up to rich dishes such as a porterhouse or braised short ribs. Compare 2 Cabs, or Even Cabernet Sauvignon vs Merlot. Think you’ll never remember the difference between right bank and left bank? Both Merlot and Cabernet were born in Bordeaux, France and they quickly came to dominate the famous wine region, though depending on what side of the Gironde river you live on, youre more likely to grow more Cabernet or more Merlot. Merlot is considered more of a crowd pleasing or “easy drinking” wine because of these characteristics, and in a blend where it’s the dominant grape, it’s soft fruit flavors cause the wine to taste great at a much younger age, which is a reason winemakers love it. Merlot grows as loose bunches of large grapes that are dark blue in color, but lighter than Cabernet. Merlot is a grape that is soft and fleshy, early ripening makes it popular for blending with later ripening cabernet sauvignon grape. merlot grapes. A river runs right through the region creating a natural border with the right bank of the river producing Merlot grapes and the left bank producing Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Want to find out how? In fact, Merlot is known and loved for its supple tannins and easy-drinking profile. Now change the shape to form a C with that same hand. Of course, this very much depends on … The "Bordeaux blend" of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet franc, with potentially some Malbec, Petit Verdot or Carménère, is the classic example of blended Cabernet Sauvignon, emulated in the United States with wines produced under the "Meritage" designation. Merlot has low tannins, whereas Cabernet Sauvignon has very high tannins. It is famed for being the combination of varietals used in wines from Bordeaux in France. Common Grape helps you simplify. No one grape is better than the other, they’re just different, but it’s what makes them unique that also makes them absolutely delicious, and extremely popular. Pinot Noir. Sobre su sabor 2.1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2.2 Merlot 3. Merlot is a red grape varietal that creates a slightly lighter red wine color than Cab. France: Bordeaux (Right Bank Blend) (Major Regions: St Émilion, Pomerol, Fronsac), California: Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Washington: Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley. Acompañamiento gastronómico 4.1 Cabernet Sauvignon 4.2 Merlot 5. To become more familiar with these types of wine, try them as a single varietal and as a blend. This means there is no residual sugar left in the wine after fermentation. Another way to soften the flavors if the tannins are too strong is by decanting the wine for about thirty minutes, letting oxygen mellow everything out. Merlot comes from the right side of River Girode while Cabernet comes from the left side. Both Cabernet and Merlot are the result of natural vineyard crosses with older varieties. Merlot is a red grape varietal that creates a slightly lighter red wine color than Cab. Cabernet Sauvignon is also referred to as Cabernet or Cab. Merlot has medium tannins, medium acidity, dry, and medium- to full-body. That being said, let blue fruit flavors, softer tannin than Cabernet, and maybe a sultry mocha or chocolate note be your tell! It grows in the same climates as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot; Merlot wine can be easily confused in a blind-tasting. Chardonnay vs Pinot Grigio. It’s also a parent grape to Merlot. Here’s an oversimplification of how it all started: When the grapes first began to be grown, people on the left bank of the river felt their land was better suited for growing Cabernet, so it became the dominant grape in their crop. The Merlot grape is originally from France, and is commonly used in … Since Merlot has more fruitiness and less tannin, it can be perceived with a hint of sweetness (but not to be confused with sugary sweetness). There are reasons to love both Merlot and Cabernet, but ask a winemaker in Bordeaux and they will clearly prefer one to the other, usually depending on where they grow their wine! Cabernet sauvignon is often blended with cabernet franc and merlot. It’s known for its very strong tannins (that drying sensation and bitter taste). It's a special blended grape. Merlot, also known as “the little blackbird,” is the more soft and supple of the two grapes. The vintners living on the right bank felt their land was better suited for Merlot, so that’s the grape they grew more of, and made dominant when they made Bordeaux, thus creating “right bank” Bordeaux. Merlot is the softer sibling with less bite and more fruit flavor. Pinot Noir: A medium-bodied red wine should be stored at approximately 55 degrees Celsius and is a great wine to pair with a lighter meal. "Pinot Noir is one of the most difficult wines to grow, as it is thin-skinned and therefore … Merlot is one of the most planted grape varietals around the world, but these regions have perfected Merlot as a single varietal wine (100% Merlot Wine) and as a blend. Many times the tannin in Cabernet Sauvignon can be too strong and biting. It’s often described as juicy with flavors of chocolate and cherry, and we find it absolutely delicious alongside a cheeseburger or steak frites. This means Cabernet Sauvignon. Both Merlot and Cabernet were born in Bordeaux, France and they quickly came to dominate the famous wine region, though depending on what side of the Gironde river you live on, you’re more likely to grow more Cabernet or more Merlot. When selecting a Bordeaux, you need to look for the appellation (region name) that will be printed right on the front of the label. Merlot is grown on the right bank in clay soil while experiencing a slightly cooler micro-climate than that of the left bank. Try this trick I learned. But even though they have many similarities, it’s their differences that make them perfect blending partners. The Main Differences Between Merlot vs Cabernet Sauvignon are: Merlot tends to be fruity and soft, whereas Cabernet Sauvignon is tart. Just Wines - Fast growing online wine shop of Australia. They share one parent in the shape of Cabernet Franc, a fact finally established by DNA fingerprinting in the 1990s. On the other side, Merlot can lack a bit of acidity or that fresh quality that gives a wine some liveliness. We often recommend that instead of opening one bottle at a time, you open two and pour them both to compare… it’s fun to do, and will really help you learn what you like and improve your palate. France: Bordeaux (Left Bank Blend) (Major Regions: Médoc and Graves). Today both wines are the most popular red … It was a by-chance product of the crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Cabernet Sauvignon is the world's most recognized red wine grape variety with a fruity flavor but this varies widely based on how ripe the grapes were and how it was processed. Food pairings: best with simply prepared red meat. However, the primary focus in Australia is on Shiraz-led blends. It’s a dry wine with high acidity (fresh, tart taste), and full-body (heavy feeling that coats the mouth). I'm making a red wine sauce for lentils and braised vegetables, and the recipe calls for 2 cups of merlot, but I have a big bottle of cabernet sauvignon … © 2014 - 2020 VinePair Inc. — Made In NYC, Next Round Live: What's Happening in the Drinks Industry Now, This Special Decanter Opens Up Wine Faster Than Any Other Decanter, The Wine To Toast With On New Year’s Eve If You Hate Champagne, 6 of the Best Wines to Drink on NYE 2020 That Aren’t Bubbly, The 8 Best Sparkling Wine Cocktails to Drink on New Year’s Eve, VinePair Podcast: How 2020 Changed Drinking Forever, The Differences Between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/differences-merlot-cabernet-sauvignon/, wbs_cat Wine, wbs_type Bordeaux, wbs_type Cabernet Sauvignon, wbs_type Merlot, bordeaux, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, A Journey to Bordeaux with Légende | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/a-journey-to-bordeaux-with-legende/, wbs_cat Wine, wbs_type Bordeaux, wbs_brand Légende, bordeaux, cabernet sauvignon, merlot. Hold your left hand up and form an L with your pointer finger and thumb. These two red grape varietals originated in Bordeaux, France. Cabernet vs Merlot Cabernet and Merlot are well-known varieties of grapes; they are the most widely distributed variety in the production of red wine. Australia produces some excellent Bordeaux-style Cabernet Merlot wines. So, if you find you’re more a fan of Cabernet or Merlot, just ask your wine shop for their left or right bank Bordeauxs, respectively. But Cabernet Sauvignon can be blended with a variety of grapes such as Shiraz, Tempranillo and Sangiovese. Only a few growers in Bordeaux still produce 100 percent cabernet, while others blend it with merlot or cabernet Franc, giving it a complex taste. These wineries produce red blends of 70-80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20-30% Merlot, along with some other wines such as Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Merlot is the most planted wine grape in Bordeaux, France. Dec 21, 2019 - Wine is overwhelming! Nice, huh?! They have thinner skin, less tannin, more sugar content, and lesser acidity. This is where Merlot comes in. Its tannins are much softer than that of Cab while having a strong fruit flavor. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes appreciate moderate temperatures and sunny climates with warm summers with little rain or clouds to mature at their best. Sobre su aroma 3.1 Cabernet Sauvignon 3.2 Merlot 4. There is one variety so the wine made is called Varietal and named after the grape with a capital letter. Right Bank Bordeaux is produced in the major regions of St. Émilion, Pomerol, and Fronsac. These are both dry red wines. Merlot is an early ripener, which gives it a a softer character that is well suited to blending with higher tannin wines (such as Cabernet Sauvignon). Proudly created with Wix.com, Cabernet Sauvignon vs Merlot: Differences and Similarities Explained. Merlot is a fundamentally fruit-forward wine. France, Italy and s Spain are the main producers from Syrah and Cabernet in the Old World. These two types of wine are so similar that many times experts get tripped up when blind tasting the two side-by-side. When these two great wines are blended they bring out the best in each other. Acerca de las uvas Cabernet Sauvignon. To become more familiar with these types of wine, try them as a single varietal and as a blend. In general, Merlot is used to sweeten more bitter wines and Cabernet is used to add a drier flavor to wines that are too sweet. You can find some great options for each of them within these in depth pages. Pinot Noir Vs. Merlot Origin and Grapes. Cabernet sauvignon’s body is fuller, heavier and more robust, lingering for longer on the tongue compared to merlot’s medium-body, quicker finish. This makes it slightly easier as there are quite a few sub-regions. Merlot is also a red wine grape variety which usually has a medium body with hints of berry, plum, and currant. 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