Shiraz or merlot which is sweeter

Red wines will always be found on the wine rack of every genuine oenophile, and this is all thanks to the great red and juicy grapes grown in different regions around the world.

Crimson red. Intricately and intense flavors of dark cherry and pomegranate. These red grapes age exceptionally well, and a majority of these remarkable wine collectibles are red with the exception of Riesling and Sauternes. Red wine is also distinctly heavier than its counterpart, the white wine.

However, this does not imply that the former contains more alcohol than the latter. Red wine, when taken in moderation, is nourishing and generally good for your overall health. A natural component that is found in most red wines — known as resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red grape skins — contributes significantly to the complete reduction in the risks for cancer, heart disease as well as other disorders. But do you know that red wine can also be produced from white grapes?

That may be a bit surprising, but it is true. Red wines contain a lot of tannins which is primarily responsible for the distinctive bitter flavor. The more tannins a particular red wine has, the more bitter it is. Tannins are natural preservatives and almost certainly plays a role in making red wines to age exceptionally well.

There are different brands of red wines out there. But in this article, we will be taking a look at Merlot and Shiraz, two of the most loved — and well-known — grape varieties in Australia in particular and the wine universe in general. Both Shiraz and Merlot are dark-skinned grapes that produce flavorsome and clearly distinct wines that express striking features and characters.

But what makes these wines different? What are their individual characteristics that make one different from the other?

The notable differences between these two juicy and vibrant grape types are what you will learn in this write-up. This red wine came to light in France during the latter part of the 18th century. Merlot is one of the well-known wine grapes across the wine universe — and the entire world — and only comes second behind Cabernet Sauvignon, that is in terms of planting.

It is a fleshy and delicate grape with thin skin that ripens early, and this unique characteristic makes it ideal for blending or coalescing. In the beginning, Merlot grapes were explicitly used as blending grapes with the later-ripening, sterner Cabernet Sauvignon — which has high tannin content — because of their softness.

Wine experts in California, however, started experimenting and producing wines composed purely of Merlot grapes. This was sometime in the 19th century. Wines that are produced using these lush grapes are not only easy-drinking, light, and juicy wines but also full of fun and far different from Cabernet.

This is as a result of its complete absence of tannic bitterness. Merlot grapes are relatively easy to grow in warm, cold, and medium climates — which is probably responsible for its wild popularity — making it significantly less finicky than Pinot Noir.

Merlot also thrives exceptionally well in Bordeaux where it is, of course, the most wildly-planted non-citrus fruit. Merlot wines are not sugar-sweet even though they are generally sweeter in style. The sweetness, however, originates from the fruit itself.

They are also dark-red colored varietal wine with fruity, yet delicate elements floating within along with a medium-bodied palate. Heavy notes of cedar, currant, plum, chocolate, and berry flavors are often characteristics that this low-tannin fermented beverage leaves in your mouth. Other vegetable notes associated with Merlot include cola nut, green olives, fennel, rhubarb, hummus, and tobacco. Some floral notes — e. The velvety, soft, gentle, and smooth mouthfeel makes Merlot wines a drink for the inexperienced to take their first sip — and dip — into the wine universe.

The acidity of this dry, red wine also stays in check at all times. Some grapes are also incredibly good for blending — e. But this is not the case with Merlot as it is a grape that is not only used as a blended wine in the majority of Bordeaux wines but can also make great varietal wines. When Merlot is blended with French and Cabernet wines, the end products are mellow-bodied wine blends. However, California has several unblended Merlot wines, and these are getting popular almost on a daily basis.

Merlot blends and varietals can be paired excellently well with almost all kinds of food such as pizza, chocolate, tuna, chicken dishes, steak, and spaghetti with Bolognese sauce. Softer and fruitier Merlots — which exhibit high acidity from exceptionally colder climate regions such as Northeastern Italy and Washington State — match remarkably well with salmon, chard, radicchio as well as mushroom while the lightweight or light-bodied variety make brilliant pairings with prawns, bacon, prosciutto, and scallops.

Moreover, the capsaicin present in most spicy foods can give prominence to the perception of alcohol in this dry, red wine thereby making it taste as if it has more tannins than usual and decidedly bitter. Merlot red wines mostly contain anything from And as mentioned earlier, its low tannin levels make it one of the red wines with a negligible bitter taste.

Fewer tannins — which invariably makes Merlot unsuitable for prolonged aging — implies that it can be harvested and drunk earlier than other wines in the same class.

This 90 point Merlot comes from the popular brand, Cakebread. This fruit-forward Merlot is more nuanced and layered than you might think. Dimension is given with layers of black cherries, deep plum, and other dark fruits.

Meanwhile, dried herbs and a blend of spices add a bit of zest. A full mouthful provides an expressive taste that will stay with you. Buy Here. This 92 point wine is truly unique. The vintage Merlot provides earthy touch to ripe fruit for a rounded and expressive palate. Ripe plums accompany wild candied berries met with a smoky sweet cigar, safe, and a refreshing touch of mint.

Leather, espresso, toasted wood, and a blend of sweet spices of cinnamon and clove. You may even notice a hint of Mexican chocolate as you finish this smooth tannin, pleasing wine. Josh Cellars always provides accessible wines for easy drinking or entertaining. But neither is shiraz! Proceed with caution, and revel in the decadence. Because it has a more gentle flavor profile, we recommend enjoying it with lighter foods that also have more nuanced flavors.

Many of these options go well with a variety of wines like seafood, which goes well with many white wines as well. This makes merlot a bit more versatile than Shiraz. As you might guess, shiraz and merlot are grown in very different regions. Since shiraz needs a lot of sugar in its grapes to produce its high alcohol content and bold flavors, it is typically grown in warmer climates.

Merlot is the opposite, thriving in more temperate climates where the subtle flavors of the grape can flourish. These regions all have long growing seasons with hot summers, which help the Shiraz grape develop its strong sugar and flavor profile. Conversely, merlot is typically grown in regions with lighter climates. For the regions that overlap with shiraz, the grapes are often in a different part of the region. We mean that within several miles there can be very different conditions for growing grapes.

Napa Valley is a prime example. If you go several miles closer to the coast, the temperature and climate are very mild — which makes it prime for merlot. If you go north and inland several miles, however, the climate becomes much more harsh and hot. This makes it great for shiraz. This is also why there are very few regions in the world that can make truly great wine.

Grapes are very articular and sensitive to growing conditions. They are both some of our favorite wines, with great examples of top-notch red wines in both varietals. What are our favorite shiraz and merlots? Glad you asked! For shiraz, our favorite producer is Penfolds from Australia. Shiraz wines are usually full-bodied, much more intense than the fruity Merlot styles. Shiraz wines go well with hearty red meats, thick stews, juicy steaks and wild game meats.

The mighty Barossa is perhaps the most well-known region for the production of Aussie Shiraz. Whichever of the two you prefer — both of these are marvellous drinks to consume, whatever be the occasion. Your email address will not be published. Recipe Rating. Shiraz vs Merlot Wine Information. No comments. Share this comparison:. If you read this far, you should follow us:. Diffen LLC, n. Merlot vs. Comparison chart Merlot versus Shiraz comparison chart Merlot Shiraz current rating is 3.

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