Shiraz vs Merlot: A Comprehensive Guide For An Effortless Wine Selection

In our aim to provide your wine exploration for every holiday season a kickstart, we now go through different wine-tasting techniques and learn more about the subtle difference between Merlot vs. Shiraz.

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Let's get you all the help you need in identifying the wines' origin, characteristics, food matches, alternatives, and the comparison between these two wines. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will be able to taste and evaluate different kinds of wines like a pro.

Our in-depth understanding of what makes each wine unique. This knowledge will also help us choose the most suitable one for us, and together let’s all welcome the season and celebrate it with a toast.

Main Differences Between Shiraz And Merlot

The main differences between Shiraz and Merlot are:

• Shiraz has an intense flavor, ranging from fruity to spicy, whereas Merlot has this soft, plummy taste.
• Both are fairly strong dry reds: Shiraz usually runs about 13.5% to 15% alcohol, and Merlot about 13% to 14.5%, with warmer regions at the top of each range
• Shiraz has high-tannin content, whereas Merlot contains fewer tannins.
• Shiraz has a dark red, almost opaque color, whereas Merlot is usually a medium ruby red.

Understanding The Hows And Wines

Familiarity with specific wine aspects will allow better choices from a wide variety of them a lot easier and heighten your enjoyment. Although, in essence, wine is only liquid that came from fermented fruit, its production came in two different stages:

• Viticulture: The process of growing the grapes
• Vinification: The process of making the wine

Both processes result in variables that affect many different aspects of wine, including its color, taste, etc. Each grape variety reacts to several factors depending on how the grapes grow, contributing to a wine’s specific characteristics. The climate type and soil condition combination yielding all these wine-producing grapes are also equally crucial.

Talking about a wine's taste means so much more than just its flavor. It also involves the aroma, body, and texture, making the overall wine tasting experience subjective because wines have varying appeal for different consumers.

• Some wines will be delectable for casual drinkers, and the more sophisticated ones will like other wines better.
• Some will like it young and fresh while some others prefer a vintage wine.

Grape is the thin line between land and wine, and what makes it easier to classify and make sense of the hundreds of different types of wine that exist. The following sections of this article will walk you through the grape variations, Shiraz and Merlot, and how each will make an extraordinary appeal to your palates.

All That You Need To Know About Shiraz

The Origin

The first crucial thing we need to know is that Shiraz and Syrah are precisely the same! Although depending on the origin, the wines they produce can have different styles. Lighter wines come from the old-world Syrah, while decadent, full-bodied wines come from the new world.

Rhône Valley, France, is the home to the great grape variety Syrah, which now grows in different countries, including Australia, California, Washington, Italy, and Spain. The grape variety coming from France is what most people refer to as the old-world Syrah. On the other hand, the one coming from Australia is what people know as Shiraz.

Syrah has been the principal red grape of the northern Rhône, in wines such as Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, for centuries. Old legends say it came from Syracuse in Sicily or from the city of Shiraz in Persia, but there is no evidence for either.

DNA typing in the late 1990s showed that Syrah is the offspring of two little-known varieties from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. That points to a French origin rather than a foreign one.

Grape Production And Characteristic

Full-bodied, bold, with black fruit and pepper spice, and a hint of smokey aroma are the characteristics that define Shiraz aside from being famous for its dark color. It is flavorful in the opening palate, but it ends with a softer finish.

Regardless of the common perceptions on this grape variety's varying taste profile, the truth is, it is dependent on the region and climates where they grow.

Those that grow in warm climates yield lush, juicier, and fruit-forward characteristics with soft tannins. The grapes coming from cooler climates have more acidity, bolder tannins, and spices with earthy elements.

Shiraz aged in oak picks up vanilla and baking spice flavors. Since these grapes have thick skins, winemakers often leave the juice in contact with the skins for days to weeks. This process, known as maceration, extracts color, flavor, and tannin.

Nutritional Facts: Alcohol & CalorieContent

It is no secret how wine drinkers will use any excuse just to have that glass of wine. But here are some nutritional facts you need to be aware of for those fond of or planning to binge on a few glasses of Shiraz:

A typical Shiraz has around 14% to 14.5% alcohol. A 5-ounce glass, which NIAAA counts as one standard drink at 12% alcohol, works out to roughly 120 to 140 calories at Shiraz strength, mostly from the alcohol. A glass of dry red has only about 4 grams of carbs. Some nutrition sites list 84 calories per serving for a smaller pour, so check the serving size behind any figure.

Generally, fortified wines or those that taste naturally sweet have higher residual sugar and, therefore, have higher carbohydrates.

Best Food Matches

In wine-food pairing, you should keep in mind that it's all about domination and intensity. Foods generally have more components than wine depending on the ingredients and cooking method, so the rule of thumb is to consider the most dominant food element when matching it with wine.

A mature beef brings out the fruitiness in a vintage Syrah, and the gentle spices in Moroccan dishes also work well with it. Shiraz is an excellent bottle to have with earthier red meat dishes, and it will complement the following meals:

• Baked beans
• Red beans with rice
• Barbecued brisket
• Beef bourguignon
• Prime rib
• Roast
• Short ribs
• Burgers
• Chops
• Curry

When drinking Shiraz, it is best to avoid seafood like sole, shrimp, or lobster, delicate, and too sour dishes.

Shiraz Alternatives

If you like Petite Shiraz/Syrah, you will also enjoy the following wines:

• Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• Nero d’Avola
• Priorat
• Toro
• Zinfandel

All That You Need To Know About Merlot

The Origin

Aside from its name’s French origin, often traced to “merle,” the blackbird, Merlot is a large-berried, relatively thin-skinned red grape from France’s Bordeaux region. It ripens early and yields generously, which makes it popular with growers. It grows in many wine regions, including much of California, though the best wines come from sites that suit it.

Merlot does best in moderate climates and on cool, moisture-retaining clay soils, like those of Pomerol, that allow slow, even ripening.

Wine producers do not encourage growing Merlot grapes in less optimal conditions because it will only yield wines that lack flavor concentration. It might still be appealing for those who look for something easy to drink, but then it falls short of Merlot’s true potential.

Merlot’s Global Production And Its Distinct Characteristic Based On Region

The number of regions in which it grows is one of the many reasons why Merlot is a prominent grape worldwide. Here are the regions that successfully grow Merlot grapes and the distinct characteristics the wine has for each of them:

• Bordeaux is home to Merlot grapes. The region has limestone-rich soil that can yield grapes with more robust flavors. Outside this region, they grow Merlot throughout France’s southwest and often blend it with Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Tuscany is famous for Merlot grapes that are slightly larger and with lesser harsh tannins. They often feature Merlot as a varietal wine or blended with other varieties.
• Friuli-Venezia Giulia considers Merlot as the most-planted red grape in the region. Their produce has nuances of anise, spice, stone, and more.
• California has warm-climate regions like Napa Valley that can produce round and smooth grapes. A lush, fruity profile with hints of sugary spice, vanilla, and fresh oak are distinctive Californian varieties.
• Washington wine producers combine the best of the New World and the Old. It results in Merlot's luscious cherry flavors with a tinge of fresh acidity and a tannic bite.
• Chile has top-quality Merlot grapes that are equivalent to the fruity, bold California varieties.
• In Australia, the intense fruity notes and woody flavors are the Merlot variant's standard identifiers. Currently, most of the country's grape growers are still learning the best regions for growing Merlot grapes.

Taste Profile

Merlot's red wine has that distinct flavor related to Cabernets’ but is softer and ages more quickly. It is usually medium- to full-bodied and has a milder acidity than some grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon. Most wine consumers find it an all-time crowd-pleaser because, in the battle between Merlot vs. cab, Merlot has lesser tannic, making it easier to consume.

When you grow it in an ideal condition, it has the potential of being a very intense wine.

Furthermore, Merlot can also adapt and take on the character of its location and winemaking process. Its taste varies from that of blackberries and herbs to cocoa, black cherries, and plums. It also has a tinge of vanilla and cedar when aged in oak.

Nutritional Facts: Alcohol Content, Calories, And Carbs

The region where it came from shapes a Merlot’s alcohol content. The climate influences its ripeness, and in turn, the ripeness affects its alcohol levels. Those from cooler regions are often around 13% to 13.5% ABV (alcohol by volume), while those from warm climates can reach 14.5% ABV.

Merlot is a dry wine with little residual sugar, but that does not mean it is without calories. A 750 ml bottle holds five 5-ounce glasses, for roughly 600 to 650 calories in total, almost all from the alcohol.

Taste Test: There's more to a Shiraz bottle! Why not try out Malbec and compare this with Merlot this time? Read our post regarding these two fine wines and check if these two have more similarities than dissimilarities or vice-versa -- Malbec vs Merlot: Which Of These Powerful Reds Is The Perfect Match For You?

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing Between Syrah Vs. Merlot

Which Is Better -- Shiraz Or Merlot?

It will be a smart idea for wine-tasting newbies to have varying options and be more adventurous with their choices. Both are great wines, Shiraz, and Merlot, but the better one will always depend on personal preferences.

Merlot is a more suitable drink for newbies, and it is affordable. Shiraz may be a bigger jump for those who don't know a lot about red wines. It has a dark fruity, peppery taste, and the top French bottles are costly. The good thing about Shiraz, though, is it works so well for balancing out the flavors in grilled meats and cheeses.

Is Shiraz Wine Sweet Or Dry?

Shiraz is a dry wine. Its higher tannin content leaves a drying mouthfeel, although ripe Australian styles can taste jammy and fruit-sweet. Merlot is also dry, but it usually feels softer.

What does Shiraz taste like?

Depending on where it grows, Syrah can have various aromas and flavors that are spicy, smoky, fruity, floral, and meaty. It makes excellent wine on its own and is also often blended with Grenache and other varieties.

Key Takeaways

Always keep in mind that the best wine is the one that can perfectly balance all its flavors.

Choosing one red wine among the many different types can be daunting.

Understanding the main differences between Merlot and Shiraz will not only save you a lot of time, but it will also give you the edge in picking the most suitable wine for you.

Sources

• Varietal Characteristics, Wine Spectator
• What Is a Standard Drink?, NIAAA Rethinking Drinking