We all have our preferences and tastes when it comes to wine. Malbec & Shiraz are two wonderful wines and the question of their comparison and differences are very commonly raised. Did you know that Malbec is typically an intense wine while Shiraz has delicate fruity notes. Their methods of harvesting and fermentation also have a lot of difference.
In this post, we will talk about the major distinctions between these two wines so that you can pick your favorite or even try something new!
Before jumping to the section of Malbec vs Shiraz, let’s understand some basics of Malbec and Shiraz wine.
Malbec Wine
- Malbec wine is a deep purple-colored wine with a full body.
- This fine drink is made from Malbec grapes that are small in size, dark in color, and thick-skinned. The characteristics of these grapes infuse a fruity flavor in the wine.
- Malbec is loved by many because of its high alcohol level.
- In a single sip of this red wine, you will experience a shot of a lot of flavors: blackberry, black cherry, plum, and raspberry. Additionally, the smoke, licorice, cedar, and leather aromas will mesmerize you in no time.
- While serving this fantastic red wine, you should keep it in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to achieve an ideal serving temperature of 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Shiraz Wine?
- Shiraz is another red wine that wine lovers like a lot. It is made with Shiraz grapes that are heavily planted in Australia and Rhône valley in France.
- If you want a wine that has intense fruity flavors, Syrah or Shiraz is the best wine to go for.
- This red wine is best served at 65 degrees Fahrenheit and with food items like vegetables, beef stew, etc.
Malbec vs. Shiraz
| Difference | Malbec | Shiraz |
| Taste | – Has blackberry, plum, raspberry, and black cherry flavors – Aromas of leather, cedar, smoke, and licorice | – Has rich, fruity flavors. – Aromas of spice, pepper, smoke, and meats |
| Acidity | Low Level | Medium Level |
| Alcohol | High Level (13-14% ABV) | Medium to High Level (14-15% ABV) |
| Serving Temperature | 60-65 ºF | 63-65 ºF |
| Food Pairing Options | Almost all meat types are good to pair with Malbec | Vegetables, grilled meats, and beef stew taste amazing with Shiraz |
| Production Regions | Notable regions include Argentina and Cahors | Notable regions include Rhône Valley, Texas, California, Grand Valley, Columbia Valley, New Zealand, Australia (Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale), |
Final Words
So, here it is. We’ve covered the main points that make Malbec different from Shiraz and we hope this will help you consider them next time you’re at a restaurant or looking to buy a bottle of wine for your enjoyment. Make sure you pair the chosen wine with suitable food to enhance the delight.
If you want to get started with red wines, you should prefer these sweet red wines for a nice start.
Do comment about your favorite red wine in the comment section.