Cabernet Sauvignon vs Merlot

Cabernet Sauvignon is more tannic and fuller.

Sweetness, body, tannin and acidity are our rating of a typical dry table wine from each grape.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Red · France, Georgia, Italy

full, firm, blackcurrant and cedar

Merlot

Red · France, Italy

soft, plummy, round

Bone dry
Sweetness: Bone dry; Very full
Body: Full; Very high
Tannin: Medium; High
Acidity: Medium; 13.5 to 15%
Alcohol: 13 to 14.5%; 16 to 18 °C
Serve at: 15 to 17 °C; Bordeaux, Tuscany, Napa Valley, Paso Robles AVA
Regions: Bordeaux, Long Island, Napa Valley, Sonoma County

Only Cabernet Sauvignon

Steak
Lamb
Hard and aged cheese
Mushrooms and truffle

Both pair with

No pairing in common.

Only Merlot

Chicken
Pork
Pasta with tomato sauce
Burgers

Sources

Style profiles, pairings and serving figures are our own assessment. Regions and origins: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0); see the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot pages.