Merlot Vs Pinot Noir: 8 Key Differences & Similarities
Puzzled with the sizzling Merlot Vs Pinot Noir debate?
While Merlot, France's most planted grape variety, produces graceful red wines, Pinot Noir produces exceptionally silky red wines — the reason why it's called the “Seductress of All Wines.”
Let's uncover how Merlot and Pinot Noir compare with each other. We'll then explore four stunning Merlot wines and four elegant Pinot Noir wines, including their complex tasting notes and prices. We'll also see how Merlot and Pinot Noir stack up against Cabernet Sauvignon, the most planted grape variety in the world.
Further reading
- Uncover all there is to know about Red Wine.
- Also, explore the fizzy world of Sparkling Wine.
Merlot Vs Pinot Noir: A Detailed Comparison
The differences and similarities between Merlot and Pinot Noir stem from their:
1. Origins
Both Merlot and Pinot grape varieties trace back their origins to France.
The first mention of the former red wine grape variety dates back to 1784, while Pinot Noir has been cultivated by the Burgundian monks since 1000 AD.
Merlot has remained a key blending grape (with Cabernet Sauvignon) in Bordeaux wine.
In the 1800s, American winemakers were so taken by the Merlot grape that they started making single varietal wine bottles using this red grape variety — which ultimately resulted in this varietal wine's popularity.
2. Viticulture And Terroir
Merlot grapes grow well in both warm and cool climates, thriving in limestone and clay soils. It's the most planted grape variety in France and is popular in California (Paso Robles, Napa Valley, etc.), South Africa, and Australia.
The finicky Pinot Noir grows best on sloping vineyards with good sunshine, and a cool climate - the reason why this grape variety finds home in Burgundy, Oregon, and Italy.
3. Appearance
Merlot is a blue-colored grape that produces deep ruby wines.
On the other hand, Pinot Noir is a black grape variety producing light red wines.
4. Tasting Notes
Merlot wine is soft, medium-bodied, with low tannin and acidity. It has charming plum and pomegranate with red fruit and earthy flavors.
Pinot Noir is the smoothest red wine with a velvety texture and raspberry and plum flavors. It also seduces you with strawberry and red cherry aromas.
5. Sweetness
Both Merlot and Pinot Noir are predominantly dry wines.
A 5-ounce pour of Merlot wine and Pinot Noir wine each has about 1 gm of residual sugar in it. However, some Merlot bottles may come across as a sweet red wine due to its fruity flavor profile.
6. Food Pairings
Merlot and Pinot Noir wines pair best with cheese, beef, pork, poultry, mushrooms, and chocolate-covered strawberries.
7. Aging Potential
An exceptional bottle of Merlot from a prestigious producer can age for 10-20+ years.
On the other hand, fine Pinot Noir wines age gracefully for 15-20+ years.
8. Price
It’s not difficult to find a mass-produced Merlot or Pinot Noir for less than $20.
However, a bottle of fine Merlot can cost up to $12,500, while a bottle of brilliant Pinot Noir can cost upwards of $60,000.
Both Merlot and Pinot Noir wines can often be spotted at wine auctions. A case of 1982 Chateau Petrus Merlot was sold for an enviable $53,330 at Christie's Paris Auction. Also, in 2018, a bottle of 1945 Romani-Conti Pinot Noir was sold for a whopping $558,000 at a Sotheby's auction.
4 Exquisite Merlot Wines (With Tasting Notes)
Here are four stunning Merlot wines worthy of your collection:
1. 1982 Le Pin, Pomerol, France ($12,500)
This full-bodied Bordeaux wine has melted caramel and blackcurrant aromas and ripe fruit flavors.
2. 1961 Chateau Petrus, Pomerol, France ($11,545)
This dazzling dry wine has a concentrated palate and a complex chocolate, sweet plum, and berry fruit bouquet.
3. 1990 Masseto Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy ($1,684)
On the palate, this Merlot wine is full-bodied, displaying rich fruit flavors. Its nose exudes blackberry and blueberry aromas.
4. 2016 Arietta 'Hudson Vineyard', California, USA ($85)
The wine's nose greets the wine drinker with crushed black and red plum aromas. Its palate is full-bodied with a spicy black fruit flavor.
4 Enticing Pinot Noir Wines (With Tasting Notes)
Here are four elegant Pinot Noir wines you should look out for:
- 1999 Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru
- 2015 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru
- 1999 Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Musigny Grand Cru
- 2016 Bodega Chacra 'Treinta y Dos 32'
1. 1999 Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France ($66,920)
This dry red wine features black truffle and coconut aromas and raspberry and cherry flavors with bright acidity.
2. 2015 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France ($29,272)
This seductive Pinot Noir wine reveals rose petal and blood orange aromas, silky palate, and red fruit flavor.
3. 1999 Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France ($17,559)
This stunning Pinot Noir vintage has seductive black cherry and smoke aromas.
4. 2016 Bodega Chacra 'Treinta y Dos 32', Rio Negro, Argentina ($104)
Wine tasting reveals blackberry and blueberry aromas and a dense, fruity core — a must-try for every wine enthusiast.
One wine that competes with Merlot and Pinot Noir in popularity is Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Sauvignon Vs Merlot Vs Pinot Noir
Just like Merlot and Pinot Noir, the red grape Cabernet Sauvignon is also wide grown around the world and makes a stunning variety of wines influenced by terroir and winemaking techniques.
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety displays a purple hue, with a deeper color intensity than Merlot and Pinot Noir grapes.
On the palate, Cabernet Sauvignon wines are the most tannic. They display notes of black cherry, blackcurrant, and cassis.
As for the aromatic profile, Cabernet Sauvignon wines offer hints of cedar and violets.
Buy Your Favorite Merlot and Pinot Noir Wines Through Vinovest
Merlot and Pinot Noir grapes are used to produce mesmerizing and highly sought-after red wines that make great long-term investments.
A reliable wine investment company like Vinovest will help you buy and invest in Pinot Noir, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Sirah, Zinfandel, or any other exquisite red wine effortlessly.
