Merlot vs Zinfandel

When it comes to red wines, comparing Merlot vs Zinfandel makes sense. These are two widely available (and popular) red wines. Zinfandel is fuller-bodied with higher alcohol and tannin than Merlot. Zin has raisin notes. Merlot has a medium body, tannins, and alcohol, and plum notes. TL;DR: Zinfandel’s a bigger wine than Merlot. If you […]

Merlot vs Carménère

Characteristics Merlot Carménère Hue Medium Ruby to Garnet Medium Ruby to Garnet Color Red Red Aromas Plum, red berries, chocolate Raspberry, peppercorn, green bell pepper, jalapeno Tannins Medium – soft Moderate Acid Medium Medium Alcohol (%) 13-14.5% 13.5-14.5% Body Medium Medium Intensity Medium Medium plus Key Growing Regions Bordeaux, France, Italy, California Chile, Bordeaux Classic […]

Petit Verdot: Wine Guide

Pronunciation: peh-TEE ver-DOH Petit Verdot is a red wine grape from France. Petit Verdot makes full-bodied, tannic, dry red wines with notes of plum, purple flower, and herbs. It’s most often used as a Bordeaux blending grape. Here’s what you need to know about Petit Verdot wine. What Kind of Wine is Petit Verdot? Petit […]

Merlot vs Petit Verdot

Characteristics Merlot Petit Verdot Hue Deep ruby red Intense purple to black Color Red Red to black Aromas Plum, red berries, chocolate Dark fruit, violet, herbal Tannins Medium – soft High Acid Medium Medium to Medium plus Alcohol (%) 13-14.5% 14-15.5% Body Medium Full Intensity Medium Medium plus to High Key Growing Regions Bordeaux, France, […]

Tannat vs Merlot

Comparing Tannat vs Merlot is a must-do if you’re getting into red wine. Tannat has a bolder body, much higher tannins, and dark fruits and spices compared to Merlot. Merlot has a medium body, medium aroma and flavor intensity, and soft red and black fruit. TL;DR: If you like the soft drinking nature of Merlot, […]

Merlot vs Petite Sirah

Merlot vs Petite Sirah is an interesting comparison. These are very different red wines. Petite Sirah has a fuller body, much higher tannins, and dark fruits and spices compared to Merlot. Merlot has a medium body, medium aroma and flavor intensity, and soft tannins with plum notes. TL;DR: If you love the plush, velvety softness […]

Merlot vs Carignan

Merlot vs Carignan is a fun comparison. Merlot has smoother tannins with dark berries and plums. Carignan has more herbal and savory notes, like meat, with a fuller body and grippy tannins. Both wines are everyday drinkers. TL;DR: If you enjoy the smooth, silky mid-palate mouthfeel of Merlot, you may not like Carignan. These wines […]

Tannat vs Cabernet Sauvignon

Comparing Tannat vs Cabernet Sauvignon is a fun experiment. We think of Cab Sav as the king of red wines, but Tannat is a worthy competitor. Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon both have high tannins and a firm structure. Cabernet Sauvignon has a green note, and Tannat has lower acid, licorice, and smoke. Both are big […]

Tempranillo vs Merlot

If you’re comparing Tempranillo vs Merlot, you’ve noticed there’s a difference. Smart! Tempranillo has more tannin and savory notes than Merlot. Merlot has a plusher body with plum and soft, silky tannins. Comparing Tempranillo vs Merlot is a perfect way to learn about these two common red wines. Tempranillo Basics: Spain’s Red Wine Tempranillo, a […]

Tempranillo vs Shiraz

If you’re thinking about the differences between Tempranillo vs Shiraz, you’re probably into savory wines. Shiraz has high tannins, with dark fruit, olive, and pepper. Tempranillo has red fruit and savory notes, like leather and tomato. Both wines are widely available. Comparing Tempranillo vs Shiraz is a must-try side-by-side tasting for newer red wine enthusiasts. […]