Similarities of Merlot & Burgundy
Merlot is a red grape varietal from the Bordeaux region of France, and when we talk about “red Burgundy”, it usually refers to wine that is made from 100% Pinot Noir, within the grapes’ home region of Burgundy.
Both of these wines are world-famous examples of French wine, as well as typical wines of the country: there’s a lot to discover in each bottle, and both wines can be greatly nuanced depending on where they are grown. When it comes to cultivation, both of these wines ripen pretty early and can do well in colder climates.
They are also both fantastic for enhancing your dining experience – but which one you choose totally depends on your meal and personal preference.
Differences of Merlot Versus Burgundy
Merlot is often included in Bordeaux blends. Blending is an important trait of the region – even if a Bordeaux wine is labeled as Merlot, there is a chance that it contains some splashes of the other classic Bordeaux grapes. On the other hand, a Burgundy is (more often than not) made from 100% Pinot Noir.
Both wines are very typical of their regions. Single varietal Merlot is a great representation of the “Right Bank” of Bordeaux, with its soft tannins and round mouthfeel, while red Burgundy made from Pinot Noir is a great example of the whole of Burgundy. These wines often exhibit quite funky flavours of hay and earthiness alongside their red fruits.
Merlot is usually made in a full-bodied style, with smooth yet considerable tannin content. Burgundy wine is typically much lighter in color and body and contains far fewer tannins. Although they are relatively early ripeners, Merlot and Pinot Noir differ in the amount of attention they need – Pinot Noir is a difficult grape to grow, while Merlot is quite sturdy in comparison.
How To Distinguish Between Merlot & Burgundy
Even for a beginner, it (theoretically) shouldn’t be too difficult to distinguish between Merlot and Pinot Noir. They can both be quite smooth-drinking wines, but other than that, they are very different. First of all, Pinot Noir will generally be a lot lighter in color than Merlot.
Pinot Noir can also exhibit a wide range of fruity scents on its nose. This can throw some people off because the bouquet varies a lot depending on where it’s grown. However, when you narrow it down to red Burgundy wine, you’ll usually find plenty of earthy and umami notes mixed in with the red fruit, which should give away its identity. Merlot can exhibit a range of red and black fruits, including plum, cherry and raspberry. There may also be a hint of cocoa, which is found less frequently in Burgundy wines.
In the mouth, both of these wines can have a nicely fleshed out and round feeling. However, Burgundy usually has comparatively low tannic content, so look out for that smooth mouth-drying effect in a glass of Merlot.
Merlot vs Burgundy Comparison Chart
| Characteristic | Merlot | Burgundy |
| Sweetness | Dry | Dry |
| Acidity | Medium | High |
| Tannins | Medium | Low |
| Body | Medium-Full | Light-Medium |
| Tasting Notes | Blueberry and blackberry aromas, dark fruit flavours such as cherry, plum and chocolate | Complex fruits – raspberries, cherries and cranberries. Earthy flavours of barn floor, tea leaves and mushrooms. |
| Popularity | 40,500 Monthly Searches | 90,500 Monthly Searches |
| Calories Per Glass | 122 calories | 120 cal |
| ABV % | 13 – 14.5% | 12 – 15% |
Pairing Food With Merlot & Burgundy
Merlot and Burgundy both open up a world of pairing options, which you can explore fully in our other articles. For Merlot, we recommend going for something rich and savory, such as middle-weight meats and roasted vegetables. Burgundy is a great pairing for dishes with lots of herbs and earthiness, but without too much weight – think along the lines of roasted poultry or mushroom risotto. An important thing to remember is that there is no “correct” choice. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal taste.
Burgundy food pairing link
