Compare › Malbec vs Merlot
Malbec vs Merlot
similar body; Malbec has more tannin (firm vs moderate); similar acidity. Both are usually dry.
| Malbec | Merlot | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | red | red |
| sweetness | dry | dry |
| body | full | full |
| tannin | firm | moderate |
| acidity | moderate | moderate |
| oak | some | some |
| Aromas | plum, blackberry, violet, black cherry, cocoa | plum, blackberry, black cherry, chocolate |
| Classic regions | Mendoza (Uco Valley, Luján de Cuyo); Cahors | Pomerol / Saint-Émilion; Chile; California |
| Food | steak, barbecue, empanadas, burgers, hard cheese | roast chicken, pork, pasta with meat sauce, mushroom dishes, mild cheese |
| Beginner-friendly | yes | yes |
Which should you buy?
Choose Malbec if you want full body with firm tannins and plum, blackberry, violet; it suits steak, barbecue, empanadas. Choose Merlot for full body, moderate tannins and plum, blackberry, black cherry; it suits roast chicken, pork, pasta with meat sauce.
Top Malbec
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Enemigo As Bravas Gualtallary Malbec 2018 El Enemigo · Mendoza | £92.59 | |||
| PerSe La Craie Gualtallary 2023 PerSe · Mendoza | £195.26 | |||
| Susana Balbo Nosotros Single Vineyard Nomade 2020 Susana Balbo · Mendoza | £97.60 | |||
| Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard River Stones Malbec 2022 Catena Zapata · Mendoza | £164.62 | |||
| Matias Riccitelli & Father 2023 Matias Riccitelli · Mendoza | £62.04 | |||
| Catena Zapata Birth of Cabernet 2022 Catena Zapata · Mendoza | £82.31 |
Top Merlot
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrolo Galatrona 2022 Petrolo · Tuscany | £101.99 | |||
| Yarra Yering Dry Red No 1 2021 Yarra Yering · Victoria | £66.88 | |||
| Corte Medicea Atos 2021 La Bollina · Tuscany | £20.36 | |||
| Marjan Simcic Merlot Opoka 2020 Marjan Simcic · Primorska | £49.25 | |||
| Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo 2021 Castello di Ama · Tuscany | £52.68 | |||
| Andrew Will Champoux Red 2019 Andrew Will · Washington | £66.88 |