Difference Between Merlot And Cabernet

I still remember my first bottle of Cabernet. It was 2005. I was at a dinner party. Someone handed me a glass. I took a sip. My face went tight. It tasted like grape juice mixed with dirt and alcohol. I put the glass down. I did not want to be rude but I could not drink it. Then someone handed me a glass of Merlot. Different story. Smooth. Soft. Like drinking velvet. I finished that glass and asked for another.

That night I learned something. These two wines are not the same. Not even close.

Merlot vs. Cabernet: Which Wine Should You Choose

Both grapes started in France. Cabernet grows on one side of a river. Merlot grows on the other side.

The Cabernet side has rocks. Lots of rocks. Gravel and stones cover the ground. The rocks get hot during the day. They stay warm at night. This helps the grapes ripen. The Merlot side has clay. Clay holds water. The vines never get thirsty. The grapes stay plump.

My friend has a vineyard in California. He told me Merlot is easy to grow. Cabernet is hard. It needs more care. More attention. Know about the difference between merlot and cabernet.

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What They Look Like?

• Cabernet grapes are small.
• Tight skin. Thick skin. Dark blue. You can feel the toughness when you touch them.
• Merlot grapes are bigger.
• Rounder. Thinner skin. Darker blue. More delicate.
• Pour them in a glass and you see the difference right away.
• Cabernet is dark. Almost black in the middle. Bright ruby on the edges.
• Merlot is lighter. More medium red. The edges look orange.

What They Smell Like?

Cabernet hits you first. Black fruit. Blackcurrant. Black cherry. Blackberry. Then other stuff. Green bell pepper. Mint. Tobacco. Merlot is quieter. Red fruit. Plum. Cherry. Raspberry. Maybe chocolate. Vanilla. Herbs but they stay in the background. I had a friend who smelled wine for a living. She said Cabernet is the loud person at a party. Merlot is the quiet one in the corner.

What They Taste Like?

Cabernet grabs your mouth. The tannins make your tongue dry. Puckery. The wine is heavy. It takes up space. The fruit comes through. Then leather. Tobacco. The taste stays for a long time. Merlot is soft.

The tannins are gentle. The wine is smooth. Velvet. The fruit tastes ripe. Plum. Cherry. Chocolate. The finish is shorter but the ride is nicer. I remember having Cabernet with my father in law. He loved it. Said it felt strong. I drank it and felt like I was being punched. Different people like different things.

Tannins

Tannins come from skins. Seeds. Stems. Oak barrels. Cabernet has lots of tannins. Thick skins put them there. Winemakers let the juice sit with the skins longer. More tannins come out. The wine stays fresh for years. Tannins are like preservatives.

Merlot has fewer tannins. Thin skins are the reason. Winemakers press the grapes sooner. Less contact. Less tannins. The wine is ready to drink when it is young.

Body

• Body is how heavy the wine feels.
• Cabernet is full. Thick. Rich.
• Merlot is medium to full. Lighter. Still has weight.
• I think of it like this. Cabernet is a winter coat. Merlot is a light jacket.

Acidity

• Acidity makes your mouth water.
• Cabernet has high acidity. This comes from the cool climate. The acid keeps the wine fresh. Helps it age.
• Merlot has low acidity. The grapes ripen more. Riper grapes have less acid. The wine tastes softer.

Alcohol

• Cabernet has more alcohol.
• 13.5% to 15%. More sun. More sugar. More alcohol.
• Merlot has less.
• 13% to 14.5%. The difference is small but you can taste it. Higher alcohol gives warmth.
• My doctor friend drinks Merlot. He says he wants to stay upright after two glasses.

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Aging

Cabernet ages for decades. Twenty years is possible. High tannins. High acid. They keep the wine alive. Over time the wine changes. Leather. Tobacco. Dried herbs. The fruit gets quieter but more interesting. Merlot does not age as long.

Five to ten years. Lower tannins. Lower acid. The wine fades faster. But lots of people want to drink wine today. Not ten years from now.

I bought a bottle of Cabernet when my daughter was born. She turns ten next year. I will open it when she turns eighteen. I could not do that with Merlot.

Food

This matters.

Cabernet Needs Strong Food

• Steak is the best match.
• The fat softens the tannins. The protein makes the wine smoother. Lamb chops. Roast beef. Grilled meat.
• Hard cheeses. Aged cheddar. Gouda. Parmesan.
• Rosemary. Thyme. Black pepper.
• Dark chocolate for dessert.
• Do not serve Cabernet with fish. Or chicken breast. Or salad. The wine will taste bitter.

Merlot Goes With More Things

• Roast chicken is great.
• Pork. Roast pork. Pork chops. Ham.
• Pasta with red sauce. The tomato acid balances the wine.
• Grilled salmon can work.
• Mushrooms.
• Soft cheeses. Brie. Camembert.
• Spicy food works with Merlot. The fruit sweetness cools down the heat.

Price

• Cabernet from famous places costs more.
• Napa Valley. Bordeaux. $50 or more. Top bottles cost hundreds or thousands.
• But you can find good Cabernet for less. Chile. Australia. Washington State. $15 to $25.
• Merlot costs less.
• $10 to $20 for good bottles. The grapes are easier to grow. Less oak aging.
• My brother drinks Merlot every night. He can afford good wine every day. Cabernet is for special occasions.

The Movie

A movie called Sideways came out in 2004.

• One character said he would not drink Merlot. He preferred Pinot Noir.
• Merlot sales dropped. People decided Merlot was bad. Cabernet sales stayed steady.
• Funny thing. That character drank a bottle of Cheval Blanc later. That wine is mostly Merlot. The actor said he likes Merlot in real life.
• People still repeat what they heard. Many have never tried a good Merlot.
• This is good for us. Great Merlot at good prices. Demand is lower.

Myths About Merlot

Merlot is sweet.

No. Merlot is dry. No sugar.

Merlot is cheap.

Some is cheap. Some is expensive. Top bottles cost hundreds.

Merlot has no tannins.

Less than Cabernet. But still some.

Merlot cannot age.

Most is drunk young. Some can age for decades.

Myths About Cabernet

Cabernet is always better.
Better is personal.

Cabernet needs to age.
Many are ready to drink now.

Cabernet costs too much.
You can find good Cabernet for $15.

Cabernet is always full bodied.
Some are lighter. Depends on where they grow.

Old World and New World

Old World means Europe. New World means everywhere else.

Cabernet From France

More earth. Minerals. Cedar. Tobacco. Firm tannins. Needs time.

Cabernet From California

Bolder. Blackberry. Jam. Chocolate. Softer tannins. Ready sooner.

Merlot From France

Earth and soil. Darker fruit. Plum. Leather. Mushroom. Structured but smooth.

Merlot From California

Fruitier. Ripe. Jammy. Plum. Cherry. Chocolate. Soft and round.

How to Choose?

Buy Cabernet if you want:

• Bold taste

• Something with steak

• Wine to keep for years

• Dark fruit and herbs

• Long finish

Buy Merlot if you want:

• Smooth taste

• Something with chicken

• Wine to drink tonight

• Juicy fruit and chocolate

• Easy drinking

Blends

• Sometimes they mix them.
• Cabernet adds structure. Merlot adds fruit.
• They work together. One is not better. They are difference between merlot and cabernet.

Taste Them Yourself

• Get two glasses. Pour a little of each.
• Look at the colors.
• Smell each one. Take your time.
• Taste each one. Notice the tannins. Notice the finish.
• Write down what you notice. This helps you remember.
• Over time you will learn what you like.

What to Buy?

Think about these things.

• What are you eating? Steak means Cabernet. Pasta means Merlot.
• Who are you serving? New drinkers like Merlot. Bold drinkers like Cabernet.
• What is your budget? Merlot gives more value.
• How long will you keep it? Tonight means either. Years means Cabernet.

Final Thoughts

• Cabernet and Merlot both make good wine.
• Cabernet is power. Bold. Stands up to strong food. Ages for years.
• Merlot is soft. Smooth. Matches many foods. Drinks well young.
• You can have both. Cabernet on steak night. Merlot on pasta night.
• Try both. Taste them side by side.
• The better wine is the one you enjoy drinking.

FAQs

Which has more sugar?

Neither. Both are dry.

Which is better for beginners?

Merlot. Softer and smoother.

Which has more calories?

About the same. 120 to 125 calories.

Can I cook with both?

Yes. Merlot is better. Less tannin means less bitterness.

Which is better in hot weather?

Merlot. Lighter and more refreshing.

What should I serve at a party?

Serve both. Let people try them.

How long should they breathe?

Cabernet needs about an hour. Merlot needs thirty minutes.

What temperature?

60 to 65 degrees. If your house is warmer, put it in the fridge for twenty minutes.

Can I drink them with fish?

Cabernet does not work with fish. Merlot can work with grilled salmon.

Which is healthier?

Both have similar benefits.

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