What's the difference between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot?

Yining Yanni

Dustin 'an wine education WSET level 4 sommelier

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are both wine red grape varieties, also from Bordeaux, France. Cabernet Sauvignon wine contains more tannins and tastes richer and more sour. Merlot is softer and easier to drink.

What's the difference between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot?

Difference:

grape

Merlot grape is one of the grapes widely planted in Bordeaux, France. It is said that the name Melo comes from a French word which means "young blackbird". Merlot grows into a loose grape cluster, dark blue in color, but lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon. They have thinner skins, less tannins, higher sugar content and lower acidity.

Cabernet Sauvignon is sometimes called "the king of red wine". This is the accidental product of the cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It is now one of the most widely planted grapes in the world. Compared with Merlot, these grapes are smaller, dark blue and have thicker skins. They have higher tannins and acidity.

region

Merlot grapes grow better in soil mixed with clay and limestone, which usually appears on the right bank of the gironde estuary in Bordeaux.

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grow in gravelly soil on the left bank of the Geelong estuary in Medoc region of Bordeaux.

taste

Merlot is a soft, smooth and subtle wine with a hint of blackberry, plum and cherry. Compared with Cabernet Sauvignon, it tastes softer and fruity. Because of its low tannin content, it is usually considered as a good choice for beginners or people who begin to taste wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon is Merlot's old brother and aggressive brother. This is one of the most popular and sought after red wines. It tastes bolder than merlot. Thicker grape skins and the aging process in oak barrels make the wine full of higher tannin and acid content, making the taste drier. Other varieties of this wine taste of chocolate, pepper, cedar and other spices.

produce

Merlot is aged in oak barrels. Once the grapes are ripe, pick them immediately. Covering will make them lose their acidity. Merlot grapes are often mixed with other grapes to obtain less tannins. Compared with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot takes less time to mature.

Cabernet Sauvignon has been aged in oak barrels, which makes the wine very bitter, tannic and acidic, and at the same time adds some pleasant complex flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes take longer to ripen.