Merlot vs Sommelier
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Both sit in the pink family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. They have nearly identical light reflectance values (4 vs 5), so they'll read as similarly Dark in most lighting conditions. Both lean warm, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. The ΔE 8.3 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Merlot vs Sommelier in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Merlot and Sommelier are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Color Details
Merlot vs Sommelier Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Merlot on one side and Sommelier on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Merlot comparisons
See how Merlot stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 4), opening up a space where Merlot encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 4, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 4, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 4, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 4), opening up a space where Merlot encloses it.
Denim Drift reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 4), opening up a space where Merlot encloses it.
At LRV 43 vs 4, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 4), opening up a space where Merlot encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 4), opening up a space where Merlot encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 4, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 4), opening up a space where Merlot encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 4), opening up a space where Merlot encloses it.
Pewter Green reads slightly lighter (LRV 12 vs 4), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Duck Green reads slightly lighter (LRV 8 vs 4), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 4), opening up a space where Merlot encloses it.
Vintage Vogue reads slightly lighter (LRV 12 vs 4), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 4), opening up a space where Merlot encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 4, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.