Menu
The Leafy Elephant
0
  • Bookings
    • Book a table
    • Events
    • Menu
  • Gin shop
    • Gin Gift Set tasting boxes
    • Perfect Serve Gin Gift Sets
  • Drink
    • Gin
    • Cocktails
    • Wine
    • Craft Beer
    • Spirits and Softs
  • More
    • Our Story
    • Find and contact us
    • Work with us
    • Blog
    • Covid-19 FAQ's
  • Gift vouchers
  • Sign in
  • Your Cart is Empty
The Leafy Elephant
The Leafy Elephant
  • Bookings
    • Book a table
    • Events
    • Menu
  • Gin shop
    • Gin Gift Set tasting boxes
    • Perfect Serve Gin Gift Sets
  • Drink
    • Gin
    • Cocktails
    • Wine
    • Craft Beer
    • Spirits and Softs
  • More
    • Our Story
    • Find and contact us
    • Work with us
    • Blog
    • Covid-19 FAQ's
  • Gift vouchers
  • 0 0

Do you know the difference between your Malbec and your Merlot? We reveal all…

December 04, 2020

Undoubtedly the two most popular wines we sell here at The Leafy Elephant, these two red wines appeal for very different reasons but how much do you know about them and can you tell them apart? Let’s find out…

Do you know the difference between your Malbec and your Merlot? We reveal all…

Q: Which one is known for having a thick skin?

A: It is the Malbec grape that has the thick skin compared to the relatively thin skinned Merlot grape. The result is that Merlot matures a lot earlier than Malbec, Merlot is considered an early riper and Malbec a more mid-ripening grape. As a result, Malbec needs more sun and heat to ripen but Merlot can easily over ripen so it is not as easy to grow as many people think.

Q: Which one is grown predominantly in Argentina?

A: An easy one here, Malbec has become synonymous with Argentina with now over 75% of all Malbec grown in the region. It is also grown in South West France and in USA to an extent but with its often low yield and longer ripening, it is not common. That is unlike Merlot, which is grown all over the world. From Central Europe to Canada and Italy to Chile, this versatile grape is the most grown grape variety there is.

Q: What is the difference in grape colour?

Do you know the difference between your Malbec and your Merlot? We reveal all…


Q: One takes on black cherry flavours and the other red cherries, but which one is which?

A: This is a trick question to an extent, sorry! The reason is because it depends which region the wine is grown in. Malbecs grown in cooler climates take on more black cherries and in warmer climates you will find more blackberries and blueberries. The other predominant flavours you will get from a Malbec are plum, raisins and raspberries. Merlot takes on red cherries but blackberries are still there. You will also get mulberry and some floral and herby notes like pine and rosemary.

Q: Which one has a higher acidity?

A: It is in fact the Merlot that has higher acidity and that is due to the earlier harvest time than Malbec, especially with a ‘Bordeaux style’ Merlot. This early harvest leads to a softer and more medium bodied wine compared to Malbec which is a more intense wine with more violet style aromas and plum taste. Merlot is your velvety, soft, easy drinker, Malbec your punch in the face with flavour red wine. Pick wisely!

Q: How do you tell them apart in the glass?

Do you know the difference between your Malbec and your Merlot? What is the difference in colour in the glass?

A: With difficulty and you need some good light. However, your Merlot is more transparent than your Malbec and look at the rims for the give-aways. Your Merlot has a orange, almost brick coloured rim and your Malbec is more magenta and purple hued.

Q: How are you serving each of them?

A: This is one to use to impress your friends at home. They both serve at the same temperature range which is just below room temperature at 60-65oF. The trick for this is just pop your bottle in the fridge for 15 minutes before serving and it will be perfect! 

In the bar we have an amazing Argentinian Malbec called Finca del Alto from the Mendoza region. That region is hot so the wine is more blackberries than black cherries and it is full bodied. Our Merlot is from California where they let the grape ripen for slightly longer than in France so you will get more fruity notes than floral notes, a higher alcohol content up at 14% but still that velvety soft finish.

Get your favourite wine delivered from the Leafy Elephant Wokingham

Get your favourite wine delivered

We are now offering local delivery across the Wokingham area and you can order your favourite bottle of wine to be delivered straight to your door. Just head here to view the menu and place your order.

 

  • Share:


Also in Leafy Elephant Blog

Recipes for our gin mulled wine and more below...
Recipes for our gin mulled wine and more below...

December 30, 2020

 To help you get into the new year cheer we are sharing some of our fabulous cocktail recipes for you to try out at home!  

Read More

Whispering Angel - the World's most glamorous rose wine
Whispering Angel - the World's most glamorous rose wine

December 04, 2020

Wine Spectator describe it as "Delicious, a remarkable effort" and Matthew Jukes goes as far as saying it is the "most glamorous pink wine on the planet! Absolutely stunning." So, naturally, not only did we have to try it for ourselves, but after doing so, we had to bring it to the bar.

Read More

Blind Tiger gin review
Blind Tiger gin review

December 04, 2020

Blind Tiger - Piper Cubeba is a gin from the Deluxe Distillery in Belgium. The name stems from prohibition and their key botanical is extremely unique; so let's find out what this has in store, how we pair it and where you can buy it.

Read More

Follow

Opening hours:

Monday - CLOSED
Tuesday - CLOSED
Wednesday - 4pm - 11pm
Thursday - 4pm - 11pm
Friday - 4pm - 12am
Saturday - 12pm - 12am
Sunday - 12pm - 6pm

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Find us
  • Covid-19 FAQ's
  • Work with us
  • Refund policy
  • Delivery Information

Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases, events and more…

Get in touch:

The Leafy Elephant
3 Peach Place
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 1LY

​0118 334 2623

bookings@leafyelephant.com

© 2023 The Leafy Elephant.
Powered by Shopify

American Express Apple Pay Diners Club Discover Google Pay Maestro Mastercard Shop Pay Visa