Which wine is sweeter Merlot or Cabernet?!
Which wine is sweeter Merlot or Cabernet?
I'm looking to buy a nice red wine thats sweet, but not to sweet. Something that you can drink by itself..while relaxing. I live in Kentucky. I've only tried a couple of wines and didn't really care for them, but its something I would like to try again. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks
Additional Details2 months ago
what does a shiraz wine taste like?
Answers:
2 months ago
what does a shiraz wine taste like?
Try a white Zinfandel or a Riesling (white) or even Mateus Rose! Cabs and merlot are dry.
I like a good Shiraz.
Both are dry wines. However, Merlot tends to be slightly 'sweeter' than Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet usually has earthly and peppery tones on the palate.
Merlot
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are types of grapes that lend their names to varieties of red wine. In the United States, wines are typically named after the grape that produces them. In contrast, Europeans usually refer to wines by the location where they are grown, such as a Bordeaux wine, which is named for the famous wine-producing region of France.
Still, no matter where the vineyard is located or how the wine is made, the type of grape used is essential to determining the wine's personality. "Cabernet Sauvignon is marked by plum, currant and black cherry flavors and firm tannins," writes James Laube of Wine Spectator. This holds true whether it's bottled in the Stag's Leap District of Northern California's Napa Valley or an estate in Chile's Maipo Valley.
At the multilingual Vins de Bordeaux site, found in Yahoo!'s non-commercial Bordeaux Wine category, we came across a connoisseur's description of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. The "noblest of all grapes," the Cabernet Sauvignon produces a "complex, elegant, and strong-bodied wine that ages with grace."
The soft and fruity Merlot grape is sweeter, smoother, and lower in tannins. This means it blends well with other grapes and is ready to drink at a younger age. In fact, it's the most widely planted variety in the Bordeaux region, and is a popular choice of American red wine aficionados.
neither one would ever be described as sweet. Carbernet is drier, but you really can't call merlot sweeter.
Both are techically dry wines from the standpoint of residual sugar. Merlots show a little more fruit in the taste while Cabernets are more structured due to the tannins in the grape skins which can give the wine a little tartness. A bigger factor is actually how much the wine has been manipulated by the use of oak aging. Oak imparts a vanilla-like aroma to the nose and a softer texture. Shiraz is probably closer in taste to merlot than cabernet. It is also dry but can be a little fruitier than Cab. If you a looking for a few to try that are in the $10 - $15 range... check these out.
Rosemount Shiraz
Rock River Merlot
Blackstone Merlot
Bogle Merlot
McManus Cab. or Merlot
Smoking Loon
Also, A fuller bodied wine that has almost a little sweetness is a "red" zinfandel. Definitely a slight touch of sweetness on the palate. For a lighter red try a good Pinot Noir.. lighter more berry-like fruits in the taste.
Try:
Ravenswood Zinfandel
Cline Zin.
Angeline Pinot Noir
Bogle Pinot Noir
Mark West Pinot Noir
Enjoy your wine journeys
Neither is sweet. Cab is full-bodied with a fairly strong bite and higher tannins. Merlot is much smoother as the grapes used are more fleshy with thinner skins. But again, neither is sweet as both are 'zeros'.
Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Chianti, etc. are dry red wines meaning that there is no residual sugar in them. If you want something sweet try Ruby Port - though they can be quite sweet. A better suggestion is to make yourself your own wine cooler (to your own taste) with a cheap red wine, citrus juice and 7up or some such citrus soft drink. You might also check out some premade "Sangria" at your local liquor store. There are several brands made.
Chianti is somewhat sweeter than either Cab Sauv or Merlot.Sweetness taste is so individual your best bet would be to find someone having a wine tasting party. Believe it or not, many boxed wines today are very good. I make my own Cabs, Chiantis, and homemade sweet ( Desert type) wines. Tasting different ones are the best way. Enjoy what YOU like and not what anyone tells you to like.