Merlot and Burgundy are two well-known types of red wine that share some similarities but also have distinct differences. Merlot is a grape variety that can be made into a varietal wine or blended with other grapes. Burgundy, on the other hand, refers to red wines made from Pinot Noir and Gamay grapes in the Burgundy region of France. So while Merlot and Burgundy wines may sometimes be compared or confused, they are distinctly different wines.
What is Merlot?
Merlot is a dark-blue-colored wine grape that originated in the Bordeaux region of France but is now grown worldwide. Some key facts about Merlot include:
| Region of origin | Bordeaux, France |
| Main regions grown today | France, Italy, United States (California, Washington), Chile, Australia, South Africa |
| Flavor profile | Medium to full body, moderate tannins, plum, black cherry, mocha, herbs |
| Common wine styles | Varietal, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot |
Merlot grapes typically have earlier ripening times compared to other red wine grapes. They also tend to produce softer, more approachable wines in their youth. Top quality Merlot wines will have rich fruit flavors like plum and black cherry along with mocha, spice, or herbal notes. Fine Merlots can be enjoyed young or aged for complexity.
Merlot is used both for single-variety (varietal) wines as well as for blending. Some of the top examples of varietal Merlot come from California, Washington, Chile, and Italy. Merlot is also commonly blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties. A blend with a higher percentage of Merlot will often have a more approachable, softer style.
What is Burgundy Wine?
Burgundy refers to French wines produced in the Burgundy (Bourgogne) region in eastern France. Burgundy is a cooler climate winegrowing region known for producing some of the world’s greatest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Key facts about Burgundy wine include:
| Main grapes grown | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay, Aligote |
| Region | Burgundy, France |
| Notable sub-regions | Cote d’Or, Cote Chalonnaise, Maconnais, Beaujolais |
| Classification | Regional Appellation, Village, Premier Cru, Grand Cru |
Burgundy is divided into four main sub-regions that produce wine – the Cote d’Or, Cote Chalonnaise, Maconnais, and Beaujolais. The most prized Burgundy crus (vineyards) are found in the Cote d’Or, which is further divided into the Cote de Nuits (known for Pinot Noir) and Cote de Beaune (known for Chardonnay).
Burgundy has a classification system labeling wines as regional appellation, village, Premier Cru, or the highest classification of Grand Cru. The more specific the place name on the label, the higher quality the wine in theory. Some famous Grand Cru vineyards for Pinot Noir include Romanee-Conti, Richebourg, and Chambertin. Famous Grand Cru Chardonnay vineyards include Le Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet.
Red Burgundy from top Premier Cru and Grand Cru sites is known for their pale ruby color, aromas of cherries and earth, elegant medium body and high acidity with mineral notes. White Burgundy from great vineyards can show complex aromas of apple, citrus, butter and hazelnuts with a rich mouthfeel. Both reds and whites are meant to be aged for optimal complexity.
Is Merlot a Type of Burgundy Wine?
Merlot is not considered a Burgundy wine because Burgundy refers specifically to wines from the Burgundy region of France. Since Merlot is historically a Bordeaux grape variety, it does not qualify as a Burgundy. While Merlot and Burgundies are both red wines often made from similar grapes (Pinot Noir and Merlot), the difference lies in where the grapes are grown.
The only red grape varieties permitted in Burgundy AOCs (appellations) are Pinot Noir and Gamay. Merlot would never be found in a true red Burgundy. The closest connection is that Merlot is sometimes used in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, which borders the Beaujolais zone of Burgundy. But these southern French Merlot-based wines do not qualify as Burgundy wines.
It’s also extremely rare to find Merlot grown in the Burgundy region. The cooler climate and limestone-marl soils of Burgundy are excellent for Pinot Noir but would not ripen Merlot to an optimal level. While Merlot grows best in moderately cool climates like Bordeaux or Napa Valley, it needs a bit more warmth than Burgundy provides.
So in summary – Merlot is not a Burgundy because it is the wrong grape variety and wrong location to qualify as a Burgundy wine. The Burgundy region focuses almost entirely on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, not other international grapes.
How Do Merlot and Burgundy Wines Compare?
Though Merlot is not a Burgundy, it can be helpful for wine lovers to compare the flavor profiles of quality Merlot and Pinot Noir-based red Burgundy wines:
| Merlot | Red Burgundy | |
| Typical grapes used | Merlot (at least 85%) | Pinot Noir |
| Region | Bordeaux, California, Italy, etc | Burgundy only |
| Color | Deep ruby | Pale ruby |
| Body | Medium to full | Light to medium |
| Tannins | Soft, approachable | Fine, elegant |
| Acidity | Moderate | High |
| Aromas | Plum, cherry, mocha | Cherry, earth, spice |
| Flavor profile | Fruit-driven | Earthy, mineral-driven |
| Aging potential | 5-10 years typically | 10-20+ years |
As the table shows, Merlot tends to produce fuller-bodied, softer wines with plummy fruit flavors and moderate tannins. Fine Merlot can certainly be complex, but often emphasizes lush fruit notes.
Burgundy Pinot Noir is lighter in both color and body, with higher acidity. The best Burgundies showcase earthy flavors like wet leaves, tea, or mushrooms – not just ripe fruit. They also have higher tannins and longer aging potential.
Of course, winemaking techniques also influence the style, allowing for variation. But these are good basic guidelines on how premium Merlot compares to red Burgundy.
Popular Merlot and Burgundy Regions
Merlot and Burgundy wines come from very different wine regions around the world.
Popular regions for Merlot include:
– Bordeaux – Merlot’s ancestral home, where top examples come from Pomerol and St. Emilion
– California – Napa Valley and Sonoma produce full-bodied Merlots
– Washington State – The Columbia Valley makes elegant, fruity Merlots
– Chile – The Colchagua Valley offers great value Merlots
– Italy – In Tuscany, Merlot may be labeled as international varietals or Super Tuscans
The Burgundy region is fairly small in southeastern France. Key sub-regions include:
– Cote de Nuits – Home to top red Burgundy vineyards like Gevrey-Chambertin
– Cote de Beaune – Famous for white Burgundy from Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet
– Cote Chalonnaise – Offers excellent mid-range red and white Burgundies
– Maconnais – Known for easy-drinking white Burgundies and Macon villages
– Beaujolais – Produces light, fruity red Gamay-based wines from the south
So Merlot thrives in warmer climates like California, Chile and Australia. Burgundy’s cool climate allows for more finesse and complexity in Pinot Noir. Learning where each grape does best helps understand the wine styles.
Popular Merlot and Burgundy Producers
There are far too many wineries to list them all, but here are a handful of top producers for fine Merlots and Burgundies:
Notable Merlot Producers
– Duckhorn (Napa Valley)
– Caymus (Napa Valley)
– Leonetti Cellar (Walla Walla, WA)
– Chateau Petrus (Pomerol, Bordeaux)
– Tenuta dell’Ornellaia (Bolgheri, Italy)
– Casa Lapostolle (Chile)
– Rosemount Estate (Australia)
Famous Burgundy Domaines
– Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
– Louis Jadot
– Joseph Drouhin
– Bouchard Pere et Fils
– Domaine Leroy
– Domaine Georges Roumier
– Domaine Armand Rousseau
– Domaine Leflaive
Trying wines from top estates provides a benchmark for the grape’s potential. While the best Burgundies and Merlots cost a premium, there are also many affordable options at entry-level pricing.
Pairing Merlot vs Burgundy with Food
When pairing food with wine, both Merlot and Burgundy can be fantastic options. Here are some pairing tips:
– Merlot – Pairs well with grilled meats, stews, pasta with red sauce, roasted vegetables, grilled portobello mushrooms. Moderate tannins won’t overpower food.
– Red Burgundy – Excellent with roasted chicken, duck, grilled fish, mushroom dishes, soft cheeses. Elegant acidity cuts through rich foods.
– Lighter Burgundies also pair well with salmon, tuna, vegetables, green salads, and bright citrus flavors.
– Heavier Merlots match fuller-flavored foods like steak, lamb, and smoked brisket.
While both wines are dry, red Burgundy’s higher acidity makes it more flexible with food. But Merlot can complement a wide range of meat or vegetable-based dishes. Trying each with different cuisines shows their pairing abilities.
Price Differences Between Merlot and Burgundy
In general, Burgundy wines are more expensive than comparable quality Merlot. There are a few reasons for the price differences:
– Scarcity – There is far less Burgundy wine produced each year. The Cote d’Or has only around 13,000 acres under vine compared to over 100,000 acres of Merlot in Bordeaux alone. Many famous Burgundy vineyards are tiny, yielding minuscule quantities.
– Cost of production – Pinot Noir is difficult to grow and make into wine, limiting yields. It requires more meticulous care and lower crop sizes than Merlot. Burgundy also uses smaller oak barrels that are more expensive.
– Reputation – Burgundy has a mythic reputation that pushes costs higher, especially for renowned growers and Grand Crus. Top tier Burgundy is arguably the pinnacle of Pinot Noir.
– Demand – Fine Burgundy has more limited availability that increases demand. Some of the most famous Grand Crus like DRC can sell for thousands per bottle at auction.
Of course, there are also affordable entry-level Burgundies from producers like Maison Louis Jadot. But in prestige regions like the Cote de Nuits, consumers pay a premium, especially for Grand Cru vineyard bottles. Price is why most wine lovers drink more Merlot than Burgundy on a regular basis.
Conclusion
While Merlot and Burgundy are both prestigious red wines, they come from different grapes in different wine regions. True Burgundy can only come from Burgundy, France and is made from Pinot Noir or Gamay grapes. Merlot originates from Bordeaux and is now planted worldwide.
When comparing the two, Merlot tends to be fuller-bodied with plush, fruit-forward character while Burgundy emphasizes earthy flavors, elegance and finesse. Fine examples of both can be fantastic wines with food or for cellaring.
The limited production and prestige of Burgundy does come at a price. There is far more affordable Merlot at everyday drinking price points. But for special occasions, exemplary red Burgundy offers an unmistakable taste of terroir that sets it apart in the wine world.
