Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are two of the most recognizable grape varieties in the world of red wine. Both are used in the famous blends of Bordeaux and make opulent wines in regions like California’s Napa Valley. They’re widely available on wine shop shelves, popular options at steakhouse dinners, and coveted purchases in many collectors’ cellars. And while drinkers can find single-varietal expressions of both grapes, they’re often bottled together in luscious red blends — so it’s no wonder why it can be confusing to differentiate between the two.
While these rich and full-bodied reds share a lot in common, there are some important differences to note between the two grapes. And learning the key characteristics of each can help optimize your drinking experience, and maybe even help you determine which one is your favorite. From tasting notes to prestige levels, here are the major differences between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Merlot: Regions
It’s widely believed that both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are originally from the Bordeaux region in the southwest of France. And while both do share Cabernet Franc as a parent, each sibling actually has its own home turf within Bordeaux. The wines of Bordeaux are typically blends, but depending on where you are in the region, they can either be Merlot- or Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant.
Bordeaux is split into two major areas by the Gironde estuary and the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. The section to the north of the Dordogne river is referred to as
