Compare › Pinot Noir vs Merlot
Pinot Noir vs Merlot
Merlot has more body (full vs light); Merlot has more tannin (moderate vs soft); Pinot Noir has more acidity (fresh vs moderate). Both are usually dry.
Typical structure · knowledge base
Pinot NoirMerlot1 light / dry / low · 5 full / luscious / high
sweetness
1 · 1
body
2 · 4
tannin
2 · 3
acidity
4 · 3
oak
3 · 3
Same 1–5 numbers as the table. Typical for the variety, not a tasting of one wine.
| Pinot Noir | Merlot | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | red | red |
| sweetness | dry | dry |
| body | light | full |
| tannin | soft | moderate |
| acidity | fresh | moderate |
| oak | some | some |
| Aromas | red cherry, strawberry, raspberry, violet | plum, blackberry, black cherry, chocolate |
| Classic regions | Burgundy (Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune); Central Otago; Oregon (Willamette) | Pomerol / Saint-Émilion; Chile; California |
| Food | duck, salmon, roast chicken, mushroom risotto, pork | roast chicken, pork, pasta with meat sauce, mushroom dishes, mild cheese |
| Beginner-friendly | yes | yes |
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 Merlot for full body, moderate tannins and plum, blackberry, black cherry; it suits roast chicken, pork, pasta with meat sauce.
Top Pinot Noir
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champagne Krug Grande Cuvee Edition 173 Krug · Champagne | £238.03 | |||
| 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 · Alto Adige | £25.49 |
Top Merlot
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |||
| Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot 2021 Long Shadows · Washington | £67.91 | |||
| Klet Brda De Baguer Single Vineyard Merlot 2019 Klet Brda · Primorska | £68.00 |