Grapes / Compare
Cabernet Sauvignon vs Merlot
The two halves of a Bordeaux blend, and the reason the blend exists. Cabernet brings structure and grip; Merlot fills the middle with plush fruit. Which you prefer on its own tells you a lot about how much tannin you actually like.
Published 24 August 2026
The short answer
Cabernet Sauvignon has a little more body than Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon has noticeably more tannin than Merlot. Merlot has a little more sweetness than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Sauvignon originates in Bordeaux, France and is most associated with Pauillac, Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Coonawarra. Merlot originates in Bordeaux, France, most associated with Pomerol, Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, Napa Valley.
Structure, side by side
Body
Tannin
Acidity
Sweetness
A 1-5 editorial judgement of the typical expression, not a measurement. Individual bottles vary more than the grape does — a warm-vintage example of the leaner wine can outweigh a cool-vintage example of the fuller one.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Red · Bordeaux, France
Eat it with
- Beef ribeye
- Lamb chops
- Aged cheddar
- Dark chocolate
Look for it from
- Pauillac, Bordeaux
- Napa Valley
- Coonawarra
- Maipo Valley
Merlot
Red · Bordeaux, France
Eat it with
- Pasta Bolognese
- Roast chicken
- Pork tenderloin
- Mild cheeses
Look for it from
- Pomerol, Bordeaux
- Saint-Émilion
- Napa Valley
- Tuscany
Questions people ask
What is the difference between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot?
Cabernet Sauvignon has a little more body than Merlot; Cabernet Sauvignon has noticeably more tannin than Merlot; Merlot has a little more sweetness than Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Bordeaux, France; Merlot from Bordeaux, France.
Which is drier, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot?
Cabernet Sauvignon is typically the drier of the two, but both are made across a range of styles — check the producer rather than the grape.
Which goes better with food?
Neither in general, both in particular. Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic match for beef ribeye, lamb chops, aged cheddar. Merlot suits pasta bolognese, roast chicken, pork tenderloin.
If I like Cabernet Sauvignon, will I like Merlot?
The two halves of a Bordeaux blend, and the reason the blend exists. Cabernet brings structure and grip; Merlot fills the middle with plush fruit. Which you prefer on its own tells you a lot about how much tannin you actually like.
Taste them side by side.
Scan both labels and SomeWine walks you through a structured tasting for each. One variable at a time is how this stops being theory.