Wines
Merlot
Wine style and varietal guide
Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamSuggest a correction
- Red
- Red • Sweet
- 12–14.5% ABV
- Medium body
- Sweet sweetness
- medium-low acidity
Is this for me?
Choose this if…
- ✓You enjoy sweet, fruit-forward or dessert wines.
Skip if…
- ✗You prefer dry or bone-dry wines.
At a Glance
12–14.5%ABV
SweetSweetness
medium-lowAcidity
MediumTannin
MediumBody
16°CServe
Nutrition values are style-level estimates. Actual values vary by producer and serving size. How we calculate this →
On this page
What is Merlot?
A medium-bodied red wine with soft tannins and high acidity. It has flavors of black cherry, plum, and chocolate.
Taste profile
Sweet sweetnessmedium-low acidityMedium tanninsMedium bodyBlack FruitRed Fruit
Black Fruit(medium)Red Fruit(medium)
Sensory profile
BodyLight – Full
DrynessSweet – Bone dry
TanninSoft – Grippy
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
Beginner-friendlyAcquired taste – Easy intro
- Style: Red
- ABV range: 12–14.5%
- Medium body
- Sweet sweetness
- Body
- Medium
- Sweetness
- Sweet
- Acidity
- medium-low
- Tannin
- Medium
- Black Fruit · medium intensity — General Merlot flavour reference. Not venue evidence.
- Red Fruit · medium intensity — General Merlot flavour reference. Not venue evidence.
Based on structured style profile and canonical flavor relationships.
Grape & region
- Grape varieties
- Merlot
- Region(s)
- Bordeaux, California, Washington
- Country
- France / International
- Sweetness
- Low to medium
- Skin contact
- Red grape skin contact
Principal wine regions
A principal grape in Bordeaux, California, Tuscany and more — explore the regions known for it.
How it’s made
- Method
- Still red wine fermentation.
How to serve
- Serving temperature
- 16°C
- Glassware
- Bordeaux glass
When to serve
DessertSweet wine fansRed
Dietary
How Merlot fits common dietary preferences (general guidance — always check the specific producer).
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-Free
Alternatives to try
Reviewed style alternatives
- Cabernet SauvignonBoth red styles; shared black fruit notes.
- Baco NoirBoth red styles; medium body; shared black fruit, red fruit notes.
- GSM (Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre)Both red styles; medium body; shared black fruit, red fruit notes.
- Rhone BlendBoth red styles; medium body; shared black fruit, red fruit notes.
- TempranilloBoth red styles; shared red fruit notes.
Style alternatives preserve drink-family context but can change sweetness, acidity, bitterness, body, aroma or alcohol range.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Merlot?
- A medium-bodied red wine with soft tannins and high acidity. It has flavors of black cherry, plum, and chocolate.
- What does Merlot taste like?
- Merlot is often described as Black Fruit, Red Fruit. Flavour intensity varies by region, producer and vintage.
- What foods pair with Merlot?
- Merlot pairs well with Cheese, Cheese Board, Burgers, Lamb. Food pairing suggestions are based on complementary flavour profiles.
- How strong is Merlot?
- Merlot typically has an ABV of 12–14.5%. Strength varies by producer and vintage.
- When should I drink Merlot?
- Merlot works well as an aperitif, with a meal, or as a standalone sipping wine. The ideal occasion depends on the body and sweetness level — lighter styles suit casual dining while fuller-bodied wines complement heartier dishes.
- What wines are similar to Merlot?
- If you enjoy Merlot, explore other wine styles with a similar body and flavour profile using the sensory bars as a guide. Wines with matching acidity and tannin scores will feel closest in character.
- Does Merlot improve with age?
- Cellaring potential for Merlot depends on the producer, vintage and storage conditions. Most everyday expressions are best enjoyed within 3–5 years of release. Premium examples may benefit from longer ageing — check producer notes for guidance.
- What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?
- Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Tannin/Bitterness (soft to grippy), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent), Boldness (delicate to bold) and Beginner-Friendly (acquired taste to easy intro). Each scale helps you compare wine styles at a glance.
- How do I use the sensory profile to find wines I like?
- If you enjoy light, crisp wines look for Light Body with Crisp Acidity. For bold, rich wines choose Full Body with Grippy Tannin. Compare Merlot with similar wine styles to find your next favourite.
Last updated
Wine style information is approximate and varies by producer, region, vintage and serving size.