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.
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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 |