Cabernet Red Wine, Merlot and Grenache: Red Wine Grapes Explained

What does cabernet sauvignon taste like?

Cabernet sauvignon is a full-bodied red with firm tannins and flavours of blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar and sometimes mint or capsicum. It has the structure to age for many years.

Cabernet is grown across the world and is the backbone of Bordeaux red blends. In Australia, Coonawarra and Margaret River are famous for it.

Explore: Shop cabernet sauvignon

What food goes with cabernet sauvignon?

The tannins in cabernet work well with the protein and fat in red meat. Steak, roast lamb, burgers and hard cheeses are the classic matches.

Lighter dishes can be overwhelmed by a big cabernet, so save it for hearty meals.

What is merlot?

Merlot is softer and rounder than cabernet, with plum, cherry and chocolate flavours and gentler tannins. It is easy to enjoy young, which has made it popular for everyday drinking.

In Bordeaux, merlot and cabernet are blended, with merlot adding a plush middle to cabernet’s structure. Australian producers do the same, and many make single-variety merlot as well.

What food goes with merlot?

Merlot suits roast chicken, pork, pasta with tomato sauces, mushroom dishes and medium-strength cheeses. Its softness makes it forgiving with a wide range of food.

It is also a good wine to drink on its own while cooking.

What is grenache?

Grenache, known as garnacha in Spain, makes fruity, medium-bodied wines with flavours of raspberry, strawberry, red cherry and warm spice, and often a touch of pepper. Tannins are gentle and the alcohol can be generous.

In Australia, grenache is closely linked with McLaren Vale and the Barossa, where old vines make concentrated wines. In the southern Rhône it is the main grape in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Explore: Shop grenache

What is a GSM blend?

GSM stands for grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre, a classic blend from the Rhône Valley that is also popular in Australia. Grenache brings the juicy fruit, shiraz brings depth and spice, and mourvèdre adds structure and earthiness.

GSM blends are versatile food wines, good with barbecued meat, roast vegetables and Mediterranean dishes. See our guide to choosing red wine for shiraz and more.

How should you serve red wine?

Serve red wine at a cool room temperature, roughly 16 to 18 degrees Celsius, which in an Australian summer may mean a short time in the fridge. Lighter grenache is lovely slightly cooler.

Fuller cabernets benefit from decanting or simply opening the bottle an hour before dinner to soften the tannins.

Which red grape should you choose?

Choose cabernet sauvignon for steak nights and cellaring, merlot for soft, easy drinking, and grenache for juicy, food-friendly wines that suit warm weather. Blends give you a bit of everything.

Browse the red wine range and the single-variety collections for cabernet and grenache.

How do you store red wine?

Keep bottles lying on their side in a cool, dark place at a steady temperature, away from heat and vibration. Most everyday reds are made to be drunk within a few years, while good cabernets can improve for longer.

Once opened, recork and keep the bottle in the fridge for up to a few days. We deliver insured across Australia, and an adult (18+) must sign for every delivery.

What are tannins, and why do they matter in red wine?

Tannins are compounds from grape skins, seeds and oak that create the drying, grippy feeling in the mouth after a sip of red wine. Cabernet sauvignon has plenty of tannin, while merlot and grenache are softer.

Tannins soften with age and with food, which is why a big cabernet suits steak and why a light grenache is easy to drink on its own. Acidity is the other balancing factor, keeping the wine fresh.

How do you buy online from Doctors of Whisky?

Doctors of Whisky is a Sydney-based online bottle shop. Browse the collection, add bottles to your cart and choose PayID, bank transfer, Bitcoin or USDT at checkout; paying with Bitcoin or USDT takes 12% off.

The minimum order is $300 AUD. Orders of $1,500 AUD or more ship free by express courier, and a flat $75 AUD fee applies below that. Delivery is insured, and an adult (18+) must sign for every parcel.

How can you drink responsibly in Australia?

The Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol recommend no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day. A standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol, and the label on every bottle shows the number of standard drinks.

Pace yourself, eat before and while you drink, alternate with water, and never drive after drinking. You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol.