Compare › Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon has more body (very full vs light); Cabernet Sauvignon has more tannin (very firm vs soft); similar acidity. Both are usually dry.
| Pinot Noir | Cabernet Sauvignon | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | red | red |
| sweetness | dry | dry |
| body | light | very full |
| tannin | soft | very firm |
| acidity | fresh | fresh |
| oak | some | noticeable |
| Aromas | red cherry, strawberry, raspberry, violet | blackcurrant, black cherry, cedar, mint, green bell pepper when unripe |
| Classic regions | Burgundy (Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune); Central Otago; Oregon (Willamette) | Médoc / Pauillac / Saint-Julien; Napa Valley; Coonawarra |
| Food | duck, salmon, roast chicken, mushroom risotto, pork | steak, roast beef, lamb, burgers, hard cheese |
| Beginner-friendly | yes | less so |
Which should you buy?
Choose Pinot Noir if you want light body with soft tannins and red cherry, strawberry, raspberry; it suits duck, salmon, roast chicken. Choose Cabernet Sauvignon for very full body, very firm tannins and blackcurrant, black cherry, cedar; it suits steak, roast beef, lamb.
Top Pinot Noir
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terra Sancta Mysterious Diggings Pinot Noir 2025 Terra Sancta · Central Otago | £34.01 | |||
| Terra Sancta Jackson's Block Pinot Noir 2024 Terra Sancta · Central Otago | £50.12 | |||
| Terra Sancta Shingle Beach Pinot Noir 2024 Terra Sancta · Central Otago | £50.12 | |||
| Champagne Henri Giraud Fut de Chene Ay Grand Cru Rose Champagne Henri Giraud · Champagne | £237.96 | |||
| Ferrari Maximum Rose Ferrari · Trentino-Alto Adige | £25.49 | |||
| Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2024 Felton Road · Central Otago | £59.47 |
Top Cabernet Sauvignon
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Mascot 2021 The Mascot · California | £186.13 | |||
| Andrew Will Sorella 2020 Andrew Will · Washington | £82.31 | |||
| Fattoria Le Pupille Saffredi 2022 Fattoria Le Pupille · Tuscany | £89.24 | |||
| Lapostolle La Parcelle 8 Vieilles Vignes Apalta 2020 Lapostolle · Apalta | £93.31 | |||
| Sena 2021 Sena · Aconcagua Valley | £93.49 | |||
| Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2017 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte · Bordeaux | £110.50 |