Wines You’ll Like If You Drink Merlot
A simple guide to wines you’ll enjoy if you usually drink Merlot.
Merlot has always been my “safe wine.” By that, I mean I could be at absolutely any venue – a local pub, a busy bar, a restaurant – and it’s almost always the safest bet on the menu.
Outside of wine-specific venues, the wine list is likely going to be pretty limited – usually just to a handful of options. When it comes to red wine, that lineup almost always boils down to Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec, and Merlot (maybe an occasional Pinot Noir that’s almost always the most expensive by a mile). Cab Sauv can sometimes be a bit too heavy or tannic, and Shiraz can pack a massive, spicy punch, but Merlot? it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser. It’s reliable, it’s smooth, and it very rarely lets you down.
Regular readers will know I have a bit of an ongoing mantra around here: all Merlot is good Merlot. Logically, I know that isn’t strictly true. There are absolutely some very uninspiring Merlots out there, I’m certain. But, it’s so rare that I come across them – in fact, I don’t know if I’ve had a genuinely awful bottle, yet – that for now, I’m living by that statement.
Merlot gets a lot of flak from wine snobs, but at its core, its signature plush texture and juicy fruit make it a joy to drink. But even I have to admit that as much as I love Merlot, you can’t always drink it. The wine world is massive, and it is almost always interesting to branch out and try something new.
If you love that fruit-forward, lush texture of red wine and are ready to break out of your comfort zone, I’ve got 3 alternative wines to Merlot that you need to add to your shopping list.
What Merlot actually tastes like
Smooth, fruit-forward, and easy-drinking are just a few words to describe Merlot – think blackberry, raspberry, plum and cherry, with cocoa and vanilla. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? It’s right there in the middle of everything – medium acidity, medium body, and soft tannins. It’s a reliable choice for a reason.
Depending on where it’s from, Merlot can lean a bit differently:
- Bordeaux, France: The spiritual home of the grape. Here, it’s more restrained and savoury, offering elegant plum notes, a firmer structure, and earthy hints of tobacco or dried herbs.
- California, USA: Big, bold, and juicy. California styles are famous for being packed with sweet black cherry fruit, rich chocolate notes, and a super-soft, velvety texture.
- Chile: Chilean Merlot strikes a beautiful balance, featuring intense dark fruit, vibrant acidity, and a distinct hint of cocoa.
I think of Merlot as the red wine equivalent of Sauvignon Blanc – not in flavour, but in reliability. When you order it, you usually know what you’re getting. But if you want to branch out, I’ve got three alternatives to Merlot below.
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The best Merlot alternatives to try next
To find your perfect alternative to Merlot, think about what you love most about Merlot. Is it the plush, dark fruit? The soft tannins? Or that easy-drinking, juicy nature? Here are three fantastic options to try next.
Red Zinfandel/Primitivo
You might’ve heard of White Zinfandel – that sweet rosé wine that you probably tried when you were 18…and got a headache afterwards. But, did you know you can get Red Zinfandel? It’s entirely different to white zinfandel. If you like the ripe fruit flavours and light spice of a Merlot, Red Zinfandel should be next on your list.
Tip: Red Zinfandel and Primitivo (Italy) are the same grape, so keep an eye out for both.
Why it works: it’s got the juicy, fruit-forward flavours and keeps its lovely smooth tannins, just like Merlot, but with some extra dark-cherry notes too.
Carménère
So similar to Merlot, it was often mistaken for the grape! Carménère is the sort of herbal step-sister to Merlot. It’s got a lot of the same flavours as your favourite Merlot, but if you love wines with a little more of a savoury note, this could be the gateway into exploring that. Fun fact: Carménère originated in Bordeaux, France, but nowadays you’ll see more Carménère from Chile instead of France.
Why it works: it shares Merlot’s medium body and velvety texture, with plum and blackberry, but with some more savoury notes – think green pepper, and herbal elements.
Grenache
If your favourite thing about Merlot is that it is incredibly smooth, soft on the palate, and incredibly easy to drink on its own, Grenache (also known as Garnacha in Spain) is your new best friend. Sweet and ripe red fruit – strawberry and raspberry – with a bit of white pepper and warming cinnamon, delicious. It’s, potentially, my favourite red wine, and, as a certified Merlot-lover, I think that’s the only stamp of approval you need to give it a go.
Why it works: it leads with fresh red fruit, just like Merlot, but it’s lighter with lower tannins.
How to choose your next wine
Instead of hunting for an identical twin to Merlot, look for wines that share its core DNA. If you crave that massive burst of juicy berries and sweet spice, bypassing the Merlot aisle for a Red Zinfandel is a no-brainer. If it’s the beautifully smooth, easy-drinking nature you love, switching to Grenache gives you that same velvety texture without any harsh, mouth-drying crunch. Or, if you want a bottle that starts a conversation, opt for the herbal, savoury Carménère.
The goal here isn’t to replace Merlot entirely – after all, we’ve already established that all Merlot is good Merlot. It’s about expanding your palate. Think of these alternatives as a way to diversify your wine rack and your palette, and have a bit of fun exploring potential new favourites.
More tips for beginners
If you’re not sure where to begin, start here.
