Merlot and Shiraz: The Characteristics:
If wines had a personality, shiraz would be the bold d-floor starter, turning up the tunes with its spicy flavour, whereas merlot, who is all about refined elegance, would be effortlessly mingling around like the pristine people pleaser it is. See? Totally different.
Fair to say, merlot is a big favourite for wine lovers. Originally from Bordeaux in France, the red wine is often celebrated for its approachability and smoothness. Making its way over to Australia, merlot has made its home in the renowned Margaret River and Coonawarra wine regions. Merlot is soft on the palate and showcases flavours ranging from ripe plums and cherries to hints of herbs and chocolate. If you’re after something that’s sophisticated and at the same time easy-drinking, merlot is your way to go!
A lot of winemaking comes down to terroir, where the grapes (only the key ingredient) are grown ingredient. In the case of merlot, a cool climate like Victoria gives the red wine a vibrant acidity and elegant structure, and warmer climates like Margaret River produce richer and fruit-forward styles of merlot.
On the other hand, France's Rhône Valley is the birth place of shiraz, where the wine is bold and rich with a juicy texture, with spicy notes like black pepper, licorice, and cloves and fruity flavours like ripe blackberry and plum. In Australia, shiraz is called syrah and produced in the warm regions like the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Heathcote.
Choosing Between Merlot and Shiraz: Factors to Consider
Merlot and shiraz are reds that offer distinctive expressions of Australian wine, reflecting the diversity of terroir, and winemaking styles across the country. So, ultimately when picking between picking merlot or shiraz, it all comes down to personal preferences and the flavours you want to experience. That being said, here are a few things that might help you decide.
Merlot wines are versatile, the medium-bodied reds with supple tannins pair well with many meals and is even great on its own. Shiraz, on the other hand, is bolder and all about intense fruit concentration and velvety tannins.
Got a favourite meal? Match it with the perfect wine for the ultimate dinner treat. And good news for reds, there is a lot that you can do! Versatile merlot pairs well with meat dishes like roasted chicken and grilled lamb. Also a cheese lover’s heaven, merlot pairs beautifully with soft, creamy cheeses, as well as pasta dishes. Robust shiraz wine pairs excellently with other bold and rich flavours dishes like grilled steaks, slow-cooked barbecued meats, and tomato-based pasta dishes.
Some Popular Merlot And Shiraz Brands
Picked your favourite red wine? Now it’s time to turn to your buddy BWS to find the perfect merlot and shiraz. As the one-stop bottle shop for all alcoholic and zero%* alcoholic beverages, here’s our ultimate list of the best wine brands, with top taste guarantee.
Top Brands: Merlot
The Barque
Devils Creek
Top Brands: Shiraz
Grant Burge
Four Pillars
St Hallett
No matter which wine you pick, both these wines are a sure fire hit of flavour! So, go ahead and explore the captivating world of merlot and shiraz from BWS.