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Question: What is the difference between a merlot, a cabernet, a pinot noir and a shiraz? they are all red wines. thanks?

(Posted by: Georgia on 2009-04-08 13:43:21)

I was wondering the difference between these wines and are'nt most red wines good with just beef? Of the four of them which is lighter and which is heavier? Thanks! Or stronger?

Posted by: 533902 on 2009-04-09, 11:25:52

Merlot is a common red-wine grape that imparts a fruity flavor of berries and plums to its wine. Its sweet, mild flavors make it a perfect grape for blending, and it’s often used to soften stronger varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot ripens relatively early, and it’s most often grown in California, Italy, and France. It prefers cooler temperatures, and while it can be found in warmer areas like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, it tends to be cultivated in the cooler areas there. Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most frequently planted grapes in the world. Its thick skin gives the grape a strongly tannic flavor that can sometimes be too harsh—this grape is often blended with softer varieties like Merlot or Shiraz to add body and richness. Cabernet Sauvignon wines from the Old World tend to have overtones of tobacco, cedar, blackcurrant and spices, while New World varieties are described as having a peppery, chocolate, and earthy flavor. Pinot Noir has been grown for winemaking for over two thousand years. It’s primarily associated with France’s Burgundy region, but it’s now also found throughout Europe, the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Pinot Noir is very sensitive to soil content, and grapes grown in different regions can have very different tastes. It’s also very delicate, and has a reputation for being difficult to grow—it’s particularly susceptible to various types of rots and fungus. In general, younger pinot noir has fruity flavors of raspberries and cherries, and will pick up an earthier, truffle flavor as it ages. Syrah or Shiraz are two names for the same grape, called Syrah in France and Shiraz in Canada, the U.S., and Australia. Shiraz has a peppery, spicy, smoky flavor with a fruity undertone. Its name was taken from the Persian city of Shiraz, where winemaking had been going on for over 7,000 years. According to legends, the grape was brought back by a knight during the Crusades. The man later became a hermit, planting his grapes in a vineyard on a hill in France’s Rhône region, which is why this grape was often called Hermitage. DNA analysis in the 21st century shows that the grape as we know it today originated in the Rhône Valley as a result of a cross between Mondeuse Blanche and Dureza grapes.

Posted by: PJ on 2009-04-08, 13:50:39

They are made with different grapes and taste different. Any of them would be good with beef.

Posted by: bling dout on 2009-04-08, 13:51:13

Just a wild guess, but i'm thinking colour.

Posted by: °ΤΘΜ° on 2009-04-08, 13:53:18

The difference is the variety of grape. When it comes to pairing food with wine, the general rule these days is to drink what you like, but generally speaking lighter flavored wines are best paired with lighter fare and stronger flavored wines are best with stronger flavored foods. There is an advantage to pairing food and wine properly. Each can bring something out in the other in terms of flavor which is part of what makes pairing food and wine pleasurable.