What are the main differences between...Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz?!
What are the main differences between...Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz?
...and which one is your favorite?!
Answers:
they are made from different grapes
two different grapes verities.
I like the Merlot, its smooth and dry.
Cabernet is my regular favorite, but a really good Shiraz is great too. Merlot is like Cabernet-lite. Cabernet has more body and more taste. AShiraz is lighter than both a Merlot or Cabernet, but for that reason has a cleaner taste than the other two. That's the best I can describe it.
Cabernet is heavier and dryer than Merlot, and Shiraz would be the most mild tasting of the three. Merlot is still dry but more fruity, and is what I drink most of the time partly because it's less expensive for a decent bottle. Cabs have more character, and are great with food.
At present, American winemakers seem to be in a competition to make the biggest, boldest, cabernet. Thus, you can expect big, bold cabernets. They go well with food if they don't render the whole meal null. At it's best, however, it is my favorite. Isosceles (from Justin winery) is my favorite wine.
On the flip side, the game seems to be "who can make the smoothest Merlot?" It is a people-pleasing wine (hence the deragatory line in "Sideways"). However, I enjoy merlots that have more savory notes (e.g. mushroom).
Shiraz/Syrah can be a mixed bag. They tend to be great party wines, tart and full of flavor. However, when they are bad, they are really bad. I find that good bottles start in the high-teens, though Barefoot Cellars makes a good cheapie that gets the gist.
There are many differences in both flavor and which food these are paired best with. I think the important thing is to figure out which works best for your palet. Merlot is rather mild and Cabernet is more robust, shiraz tends to be inbetween.