What's The Difference Between Pinot Noir And Cabernet Sauvignon?

Forbes

07-06-2025

Bunches of various grapes ready to be harvested
If you've ever stared blankly at a wine list, wondering whether you're more in a Pinot Noir mood or a Cabernet Sauvignon mood, you're not alone. They're two of the most famous red wines on the planet—but they couldn't be more different once you get to know them.
Think of Pinot and Cab like siblings at opposite ends of the family reunion: one's charming and a little high-maintenance, the other's bold and probably playing backyard football.
Here's your friendly guide to what really separates these two classic reds—and how to choose the right one for your glass.
Someone's hand pouring red wine into a wine glass in a home environment.
Pinot Noir is a thin-skinned grape that's famously delicate, which means it needs cooler climates and a lot of love (and luck) to thrive. It's light-bodied, often pale in color, and it tends to highlight fresh, pretty fruit flavors.
Cabernet Sauvignon, on the other hand, is basically the golden retriever of grapes: strong, adaptable, and happy almost anywhere, especially in warm climates. It's full-bodied, darker in color, and typically comes with a bigger flavor punch.
If Pinot Noir is ballet, Cabernet Sauvignon is a heavyweight boxing match—graceful versus powerful, but both seriously impressive.
mostly empty wine glass on top of freshly harvested pinot noir grapes in a bin
Pinot Noir tends to be lighter and brighter. Expect flavors like:
Good Pinot is all about elegance, balance, and subtlety. It's like a conversation at a fancy dinner party—you listen carefully and appreciate the nuance.
Cabernet Sauvignon goes bigger. It brings flavors like:
Good Cab is bold, structured, and often feels like it's laying out its argument in a booming voice. (And spoiler: it usually wins.)
Photo of red wine poured into glasses from bottle on blurred background of a vineyard right before ... More harvest, with hanging branches of grapes. With cork and vintage corkscrew
If you want something smooth and easygoing, Pinot's your pal. If you want something with serious structure that you can practically chew on (in a good way), go for Cab.
wine pour. Cheese and grapes in the background
Pinot Noir shines with lighter foods: roasted chicken, salmon, mushroom risotto, even a good old mushroom pizza. It's incredibly food-friendly because it's not trying to muscle over the meal.
Cabernet Sauvignon is built for big flavors: think grilled steak, braised short ribs, rich cheeses, and anything else that could use a strong, tannic hug.
One quick test: if the dish is delicate, reach for Pinot. If it's hearty enough to survive a medieval banquet, grab the Cab.
Shelves with a variety of quality wines in a store, restaurant or wine shop
Pinot Noir can be pricey because it's hard to grow and even harder to get just right. (Thanks, heartbreak grape.)
Cabernet Sauvignon tends to offer more reliable options at a range of prices, especially from places like California, Chile, and Australia.
That said, there's plenty of affordable Pinot out there—you just might have to hunt a little harder. (And maybe make friends with your local wine shop staff.)
Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon may both be red, but they're really two very different drinking experiences.
Go for Pinot when you're feeling elegant, a little contemplative, or when dinner is more about subtlety and finesse.
Reach for Cab when you want something bold, hearty, and unapologetically full of flavor.
Either way, you're winning—because the only real mistake is not having a second glass ready.