Comparison
Blaufränkisch vs Merlot
How Blaufränkisch and Merlot differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Blaufränkisch has more acidity; Blaufränkisch has more spice; Blaufränkisch has more earthy character.
Choose
Blaufränkisch
Choose Blaufränkisch if you want something fresher and more acidic, spicier, earthier.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Blaufränkisch is fresher and more acidic: high against medium.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Blaufränkisch is spicier: medium-plus against low-medium.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Blaufränkisch is earthier: medium against low.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Blaufränkisch is more tannic and structured: medium-plus against medium.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Merlot is fuller and richer: medium-plus against medium.
Herbal / green character
Clear differenceHerbs, grass, blackcurrant leaf, capsicum and other green notes, largely driven by methoxypyrazines and picking decisions.
Merlot is more herbal and green: low-medium against low.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Fruit intensity: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Blaufränkisch | Merlot |
|---|---|---|
| Acidity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Spice | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Earthy character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Body | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Texture | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 14–16°C | 15–17°C |
| Typical flavours | sour cherry, blackberry, black pepper, graphite, violet | plum, black cherry, chocolate, cedar, fruitcake |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Blaufränkisch
Central Europe’s finest red variety: peppery, high-acid and structured, with genuine ageing potential.
Grape
Merlot
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