Cabernet and Merlot wines are most widely grown red wine grapes in the world. Both came from the Bordeaux region of France in the 1600-1700s. Even though the taste of the wines varies on whether it is grown in a cool or hot climate, Cabernet is known to be much bolder than Merlot. Merlot grapes are naturally thinner, making it a much lighter in color. Noteworthy Cabernet Grape Locations: Bordeaux, Tuscany, Sonoma County, Napa Valley Noteworthy Merlot Grape Locations: Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, Chilean Central Valley What is tannin? This is the power of wine to make you pucker your lips. Red, younger wines have more tannin because they have yet to soften up. Pros & Cons of Cabernet Pros: Savory, high tannin, age-worthy, long-finish, good for gift-giving Cons: Expensive, high tannin, can have an abrasive taste Pros & Cons of Merlot Pros: Fruity, goes good with food, smooth finish, cheaper Cons: Not very complex, not as respected as cabernet Pair with Food With Cabernet: Because this wine is bold in flavor and high tannin, it can sometimes overwhelm foods that are delicate. Therefore cabernets don’t always pair with food. If it is an aged cabernet, it might have the potential pair well. Since it is a heavier wine, aged cabernets will go well with heavier foods that will offset the tannins. For example, steak with a heavy sauce will be a good pairing. Avoid hot, spicy foods because the tannins will heighten the flavor. Pair with Food With Merlot: Merlots are known for pairing with all sorts of foods. Because it is delicate, it will pair well with salmon, mushroom dishes, and scallops. Avoid blue-veined cheeses that will overwhelm the wine with their flavor. Cabernet vs. Merlot Fun Fact: While both Merlot and Cabernet can stand alone, they can also be blended together because they balance each other. Adding Merlot to Cabernet will soften it up and the Cabernet will add some boldness to the Merlot.

2. Cabernet and Merlot wines are most widely grown
red wine grapes in the world. Both came from the
Bordeaux region of France in the 1600-1700s.
Even though the taste of the wines varies on
whether it is grown in a cool or hot
climate, Cabernet is known to be much bolder
than Merlot. Merlot grapes are naturally
thinner, making it a much lighter in color.
Cabernet vs. Merlot

3. Noteworthy Cabernet
Grape Locations:
Bordeaux, Tuscany, So
noma County, Napa
Valley
Noteworthy Merlot
Grape Locations:
Bordeaux, Napa
Valley, Sonoma
Valley, Chilean Central
Valley
Noteworthy Locations

4. This is the power of wine to
make you pucker your lips.
Red, younger wines have
more tannin because they
have yet to soften up.
What is ‘tannin’?

5. CABERNET
Savory
High tannin
Age-worthy
Long-finish
Good for gift-giving
Expensive
High tannin
Can have an abrasive taste

6. MERLOT
Fruity
Goes good with food
Smooth finish
Cheaper
Not very complex
Not as respected as cabernet

7. Pairing Food with Cabernet
Because this wine is bold in flavor
and high tannin, it can sometimes
overwhelm foods that are delicate.
Therefore cabernets don’t always
pair with food. If it is an aged
cabernet, it might have the potential
pair well. Since it is a heavier wine,
aged cabernets will go well with
heavier foods that will offset the
tannins. For example, steak with a
heavy sauce will be a good pairing.
Avoid hot, spicy foods because the
tannins will heighten the flavor.

8. Pairing Food with Merlot
Merlots are known for
pairing with all sorts of
foods. Because it is
delicate, it will pair well
with salmon, mushroom
dishes, and scallops. Avoid
blue-veined cheeses that
will overwhelm the wine
with their flavor.

9. Cabernet vs. Merlot Fun Fact
While both Merlot and Cabernet
can stand alone, they can also
be blended together because
they balance each other. Adding
Merlot to Cabernet will soften it
up and the Cabernet will add
some boldness to the Merlot.

10. We hope you have enjoyed this
presentation on the classic
wines: Cabernet and Merlot.
For information on the benefits
of wine and resveratrol, visit us
at Vine Vera Cosmetics.