Cabernet vs Merlot - Stumped?! 

I love this woman, she knows her sh*t and not pretentious about it. Seems like she'd be really fun to tour Napa with! Keep on doing great vids!

This gal always sounds like she had 7 glasses before they rolled tape 😂

Love your honesty and down to earth atitude!!! I love wine! You don't have to be snob to enjoy wine. Thank you, Maddie.

The tricky thing is, each of those two reds has so many expressions from different regions and degrees of oaking. As a general rule I find it easy to tell them apart by looking at the labels. Also, I think Merlot with food; Cabernet in an elegant glass, all by itself. But that's just me. Maddy, you rock!

I totally agree with you that it is often difficult to distinguish Cabernet from Merlot, and the difficulty increases as the quality level rises. I think that movie, "Sideways," did a lot to hurt Merlot's reputation - despite the fact that the 1961 Ch. Cheval Blanc Miles is drinking at the end of the film is 40% Merlot. I wonder how many people who love Pomerol and say they don't like Merlot know that Merlot is the predominant grape of that region? Thank you for another entertaining and informative video.

Great video, and credit for showing humility in showing a vid where you got it “wrong”! I am a wimpy guy from the UK and prefer much lower alcohol wines - indeed usually avoid anything 14% plus. Perhaps the extra “uumph” of high alcohol masks some of the varietal characteristics? I look forward to new stuff from you.

I am going to do the same experiment today, blind tasting cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah, trying to figure out which is which. This video is great preparation, thank you!

It’s time for a Merlot Renaissance! Like many folks that commented, I’ve been really enjoying Right Bank Bordeaux lately-where Merlot is the leading lady. What a beautiful, bold, nuanced varietal it is.

OK so it feels so good to watch this video now. Always found that of a challenge distinguishing Merlot from Cabernet.

Love the unpretentious, sprightly energy. Backed up of course with proficiency. Subbed!

Be careful when considering some of the comments. Some of us are here because we are enamored with you just as you are. Yes, we are interested in content, but are sold on you and your adorable delivery.

Always love your commentary and take on life, wine and good livin…

Totally dig your approach to wine and all the enjoyment that comes with learning and drinking it. Cheers!

Great overview! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

So I did some research and found out that the 2014 Shafer Merlot contains 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. Maybe that's why you're getting the pyrazine note. It's also 14% Malbec which is where the deep colour might be coming from. Meanwhile, the Gibbs Cabernet is 7% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. I don't know what to make of that though....

I wonder if the violets you smelled at 2:14 was from a little bit of Petit Verdot? Gibbs has been known to put a little PV in their cabs.

Great video! A great demonstration that cabs can be crafted softer than merlots. Well done!

I dont come here for wine. I came here for her

im not a cab lover .i do love merlot..its smoother

Your great descriptions led me to pick #2 as the Merlot and I was second-guessing myself as you made your pick. In the end, I was chuckling to myself and thinking "Right Bank" or "Left Bank" Napa =)

Violet merlot Green pepper cab This was FUN Madeline

Quite honestly, I don't know as much as a wine expert about wine but I can definitely tell the difference between the two, only because I find cabernets so high in tannins that that is all I can taste for some reason. I know that Merlot's are almost as high in tannins but I don't know why I cannot taste them in Merlot but I can in the cabs. And I've tried so many of each. is this weird?

After the reveal, I'd like to hear some more details about each wine, the maker, the style, terroir, vintage etc.

It's funny to me that you would compare those two varietals in their own right. From my perspective, I've rarely had any of them on their own, but rather blended together in, you most probably guessed it, Bordeaux. I have the fondest memory of this 20 euros bottle of a Margaux AOC (not a Chateau, mind you, I wish I had that kind of money) I had during my last time in Paris. In many ways, Cab Sauv and Merlot really compliment each other's weaknesses: Merlot is *edit often* too weak and subdued, Cab Sauv is *edit often* too upfront and green. But together, they can create true magic! Keep up the good work, and keep on doing it in your own style! This world could do without one or two (or one thousand) snooty wine critics, and with one more who's charming, likeable and relatable, even if your palate and mine don't always agree ;) *edit* My post was done before having even finished with your video. Genuinely surprised with the grand reveal. Judging from your description, I also would have assumed the first one to be Merlot, and the second one to be Cab Sauv. That alone illustrates how wine making is so much more than merely growing varietals. What the winemaker does with whatever liquids are extracted is at least, if not more, important than whatever grape is used in the process.

Thank you for this video; I have to learn the difference between those grapes. Could one of the reason for failure of Merlot is the movie Sideways? Where did you do your degree or program through?

Against all posh vanities, my staple "everyday" Bordeaux is a _right_ bank 2010 Château Clairac, AOC Côtes de Blaye, from 90 % Merlot and only 10% Cab.

I'm confused, corked wine is bad?

To this day, one of the best wines I've had, flavor and body wise (not so much price wise) was Duck Horn Merlot. My dad gives me crap about merlots because of the movie "Sideways" which I never watched but I work at a wine forward restaurant and this video said exactly what I wanted to hear.

Maybe you can answer a question that I can't find the answer to on the Internet. Which yeast is the best to make Merlot with. I use CY 17 for my blackberry wine. It seems a little to sweet for my Merlot

I'm proud of myself, i guessed right from the color and "luminosity" of it haha, love your channel, i've learned a lot from you, thank you :) #ZinTravels

I switched my guesses and wound up mistaken too. Love Wine Folly, Mad & Jus!

Thank you, you just explained why Cassillero Del Diablo Merlot is £2 cheaper than the Sauvignon version, in my local store..

She seems slightly drunk 😂

Either one will give me a wicked headache unless I take Ibuprofen pre-emptively. Even then, sometimes it still gets me. Has to be a terrific Cab or Merlot to be worth it.... Thanks!

Love these vids but sorry have to ask----- is it fair to compare these wines at significantly different price points?

I like this girl, she looks to be fun

I like merlot. I find it softer and more approachable. Less tannin than cab and more plums than black current. Cab has the black current/ pencil shavings/ leather. Really don’t like the hi alcohol versions ie above 13.5 degrees.

Really good comparison. Thanks for that. 👍

The movie line that brought tears to Merlot growers around the world: “I am NOT drinking any f’ing Merlot!”

All those notes that you are tasting is it from the brief few seconds that the wine is in your mouth, or are those flavors still in your mouth after it is gone?

Love your videos. So helpful

She is so funny, like: "WoouuW!!"

Fun video! I love dry dark reds.

Nice i like our attitude 😍

Since most your Napa Cabernets and Merlots are blended, who really knows. It's fun trying to find out.

Thoughts on ravel and stitch ?

Can you mix the 2 together ??

“Holy smokes! Jesus Lord! My gosh! Napa Valley...”

I wonder if grape variety is over-hyped? Some cabs taste good, and others not. The same is true with other grapes. I recently drank some zinfandel and it was very disappointing, whereas others are good. Vintners treat their wines with additives, and that makes the difference.

“I am not drinking fcuking merlot” Sideways 😅😂

Firts Time i ever seen a 15 AVL Grade Merlot...Im Shock!!!

Sometimes cheaper wine. Tastes just as good. Why not buy merlot?

Not the "bliggity black" 😂😂😂

There's Napa, and then there's Napa. From Stag's Leap up to Oakville, some better than others. But either of these regions are great.

It is typical of New World wines that they are more about the grape variety than about the terroir, the area where the wine comes from. High-quality Spanish, French and Italian wines are all about the terroir, the region or area, even the winery where the wine comes from. In Germany, it is more like the New World. Personally, I think both are important. The Sauvignon Blanc grapes, which grow on sandy, gravelly soil, provide the aromas of elderflower and gooseberry, combined with the freshness in the mouth, make for a lively wine, on a totally different soil it produces something very different. The Nebbiolo that grows on a soil composed of calcareous marl that is more fertile and compact produces wines that are more perfumed, elegant, fruity and softer - they mature relatively quickly. Nebbilolo that grows on sandstone and sand (poorer, less compact, and less fertile than previous ones) show more power and depth and are fuller-bodied, more robust, and structured. They need a significantly longer life and more time in bottle. What I mean by this is that it is nonsensical to judge a wine on the grape alone, it is only one of the factors. The region, soil and the (micro) climate are equally important factors. Being obsessed with the region is equally nonsense. Take champagne, it is highly prized for being from that very specific region. People are oh how great that is. A couple of hundred meters further down the road you are outside that region and suddenly its not Champagne, and its not as good? It is certainly a lot cheaper, about 1/3 of the price. But guess what, to keep up with demand, a couple of years ago the rules were changed and now the Champagne region has gotten a lot bigger. Suddenly that second tier bubbly wine is now real Champagne and naturally a lot better, because its CHAMPAGNE! I used to organize a lot of wine tastings, also double-blind fizzy wine tastings, and guess what, when people don’t know what they are tasting, really really expensive champagne does not do well. A German Riesling Sekt or a Spanish Cava usually lands on top. Try it yourself and do a double blind tasting, you will really be surprised.

I prefer Merlot, it gives me a deeper, warmer, headier experience.

I’m a welder and a self confessed heathen I have always been a beer drinker but hitting 50 I’ve become partial to the right bottle of red And even my uncouth gob can taste the lightness of Merlot in comparison to 'cabernet sauvignon

Love these vids....

I heard that the movie "Sideways" had a hugely negative impact on Merlot wines from which it still has not recovered.

Honestly, as soon as you started describing glass number 2, I knew it was a merlot, because I've primarily been drink Cabernet Sauvignon, zinfandel, Carmenere, and Malbec this year, and I couldn't relate to your description of glass number 2. Btw, we need more wine documentaries. I mean, good ones, that romanticize wine. Anyone know of a recent one (2021)?

Alternative of corked wine ?

She's cute

I got it right by color. We'll done. What a cute attitude

I'm late to the party; two comments: Would be nice to have the vintage of the wines you taste, and my, you are so cute/sweet!

I tend to go with Cabs and blends. I think the hate of Merlot following that movie was absolutely stupid, however I don't usually like Merlot and the only reason is, at the very end in almost every Merlot I've tried I get this.....footy kind of musky aftertaste that I don't like at all. And I've even had expensive ones so I'm not sure exactly what it is that I'm tasting. I don't get that flavor on any other red I can think of, it's always Merlot, and I'm always put off by it. I was actually kind of surprised she couldn't tell the difference because I was expecting her to say something like "This one has that typical Merlot aftertaste". Probably I'm just nuts.

She is the Mark Wiens of wines.

Hey nothing wrong with a good corked wine haha.. I love this girl, I need to take her wine shopping with me !🤣🍷 they both sounded delicious 🍷🍷

You picked one hell of a merlot.

great vids

I like Merlot way more I’ve had a repulsion to red wines until I discovered Merlot!!! Idk what did it but man oh man!

Crazy alcohol levels, how the hell do they make a balanced wine?

Taste some Tokaj Furmint wines from Hungary!

Madeline, I would love to hear your thougts on Brazilian Merlot! How can I send you a bottle ?

Интересно смотреть на дегустацию... я пью свой каберне совиньон со своим хамоном. Сначала я хотел научиться делать хамон, окей за три года научился. Но потом вино... и на второй год выбирая между шираз и каберне сразу хороший результат результат с Каберне Совиньон. Стучите и вам откроют...

great job.

Carmenere is the best Wine, saludos desde chile

I love Merlot!

My experience has been that merlots (that I've had) are more oaked than the cabs, and to me, less desirable.

strange...am I suppose to watch this video as if I were under the affects of the wine...focus is off.

Buzzed blogging is fun! No rules on those huge California Merlots is there...

She's like a fancy Kimmy Schmidt

I agree .Corked wine sucks . Screw caps much better

cabs are stronger in alcohol scent and more sour than Merlot. lol

Based on your tasting notes, 1 is Merlot, 2 is cab...

First she detected the corked wine, later she shows the other two bottle with corks. Huh?

I’m surprised. Actually it’s not that hard, but maybe these teo are not what I call ‘reference wines’.

Omg just drink it,how can you taste it when you spit it OUT LIKE REALLY

she is gorgeaus😍😍😍😍

Smell the Yeast？？ You're my teacher now haha

would have thought you'd go with Duckhorn if you were going Napa Merlot....

Damn!

Merry me now! 😃

Merlot is a crooked smile.

Shafer rocks

Madeline is drunk hahaha

I drink so much Cabernet that as soon as I taste merlot I can tell it’s not Cabernet. Merlot is not as sweet. Cabernet has a little bit of a sweet aftertaste. Merlot is a bit tasteless to me.

hahahahaha, imagine still putting corks in wine.

Yuh she seems drunk 😂

Turkce altyazi yapabilecek kimse yok mu ?

Equally dark holy smokes Jesus Lord my gosh Napa valley 😂😂