Merlot Vs Shiraz: What's The Difference?

Merlot is a delicate, medium bodied wine full of flavour. Think berries, plums and currants, which gives a velvety feel in the mouth. 

While Shiraz is a more poweful, full-bodied, bold wine with tasting notes of pepper and truffle. Shiraz has a higher tannin level and is denser than Merlot.

1. Origins

Merlot originates in France and is best known for its blending role in the fine wines of Bordeaux, where it is native.

Shiraz is a very important grape in the Rhône Valley of France where it is known as Syrah.

However, Shiraz is perhaps best known for being one of the most planted grape varieties in Australia, where it grows to huge success.

2. Grape Characteristics

Shiraz is a thick, dark-skinned grape variety which produces red wines deep in colour and high in tannins.

Shiraz grapes prefer warmer climates which mean their wines normally have higher levels of alcohol.

Merlot is also a red-skinned grape but it doesn't have the intensity of Shiraz.

It’s slightly thinner skin means less tannins and a lighter colour, in comparison.

3. Appearance

Both Merlot and Shiraz are red wines so it can be hard to tell them apart at first glance.

However, if you look closely you’ll notice that Shiraz pours a very dark and intense red wine.

Merlot also pours noticeably red but has a little glint of brick orange to it that can be helpful in identifying Merlot from other red wines.

4. Serving

Shiraz is a powerful and intense red wine that requires a lot of space in order to let its aromas develop outside of the bottle.

A larger serving glass is recommended here and a Bordeaux style wine glass would be perfect.

Whilst Merlot wines aren’t as rich on the alcohol and tannins as a Shiraz they still benefit from having room to breathe, and a Bordeaux style glass will suit this grape variety wonderfully, too.

5. Tasting Notes

Shiraz has a reputation for having lots of rich and powerful flavours.

Think lots of spice and peppercorn with smooth notes of chocolate and juicy brambles.

Merlot is a little lighter in comparison, although still has lots of red fruit flavours such as plum jam, rich fruit cake and cherry garcia.

Related Guide: Merlot Taste Guide

But what food pairs best with Merlot and with Shiraz?

6. Food Pairings

Shiraz is not for the faint-hearted and requires food to match its full-bodied flavours.

• Try a Shiraz with decadent hamburgers or game dishes such as wild boar and venison.
• Try Merlot wines with lighter meat dishes such as grilled lamb and chicken wings.

Because Merlot doesn’t dominate the palate so much it can pair well with a wider range of dishes.

7. Price

When it comes to price comparisons between Merlot and Shiraz it’s important to keep the fine wine market in mind.

Whilst you can find lots of Merlots at the same price bracket as Shiraz wines, you’ll be hard pressed to find a Shiraz that retails as high as a Bordeaux.

Which Is Better: Syrah Vs Merlot

You can spend all the money in the world on wine but the only person who has the final say in whether Shiraz is better than Merlot is you and your tastebuds.

If rich, intense reds are your thing then Shiraz may be the best option but that doesn't mean that Merlot can’t pack a punch when it needs to.

Before You Go... 

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