Full-bodied wines have a thicker feel to them.
Merlot, malbec and cabernet sauvignon are three popular dry, red wines that pair well with a variety of foods. Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be full-bodied, while merlot and malbec are usually medium-bodied. This means that a full-bodied wine has a thicker, more tannic mouth feel than a medium or light-bodied wine. Tannin is the element in wine that creates a dry, puckering sensation in your mouth. Tannin is nature's preservative and allows a wine to age.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet sauvignon is the premiere red wine grape in the world. It is the predominant varietal in the finest Bordeaux wines of France and produces the best red wines in California's Napa and Sonoma counties. Because it is a very tannic, dry wine, cabernet sauvignon is usually blended with merlot, malbec or other varietals to soften it. Because of its tannins, cabernet is able to age well if stored properly. Its flavor profile is a complex blend of cassis, mushrooms, black cherry, green olives and chocolate. It has an aroma of leather,lead pencils and tobacco. Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied wine that pairs well with red meats, roasts and stews.
Merlot
Merlot is a medium-bodied, softer wine than cabernet sauvignon. For many years it was primarily used as a blending grape. Its soft, plummy quality lends itself to blend well with the tough, tannic cabernet. Because it is a softer, smoother wine, merlot has broader appeal and outsells cabernet in the United States. Its aroma is one of chocolate, mushrooms and tobacco. It has flavor layers of cherries, plums and red currant. It pairs well with red meats and grilled tuna or salmon. While merlot has softer tannins than cabernet, it does not age as long.
Malbec
Malbec is another grape varietal that was used primarily as a blending grape until winemakers began releasing it as a single varietal. Malbec is medium-bodied and not as refined as cabernet sauvignon or merlot, though this has not stopped it from gaining popularity as an easy-to-drink wine. It is very dark in color with flavor notes of plum, blackberry and anise. Malbec's aroma is typically of earth, plum or chocolate and it pairs well with red meats, roasts and pizza. Malbec has become Argentina's signature wine.
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