By Gena Feldmann It’s time we forged a new relationship with Merlot. Try it, you’ll like it.
A disclaimer: Paul Giamatti, if you’re reading this, we’ve got nothing but love for ya. But your [albeit delightful] film “Sideways” has kept our dear Merlot in category outcast for far too long.
If you’ve seen the movie, released in 2004, we think you can safely surmise that Giamatti’s character doesn’t particularly care for Merlot. That’s just the opinion of one man (err, character) and has just as much validity as Sam I Am not liking ham. Do we shut down a salty, delicious corner of the pork industry in support of Dr. Seuss? Certainly that’s brash, but it’s more or less what happened with the Merlot category for several years after the cinematic hostility.
Try it. You’ll like it. Merlot has always been a moderately priced wine that’s great with food. In response to negative consumer opinion on Merlot the last few years, Winemakers have really stepped up their game with this varietal. They’re taking extra special care to ensure the Merlots released today are smooth, very easy-drinking and bursting with juicy, bright fruit. The Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot is everything beautiful about the grape variety—it’s soft and silky and deliciously juicy with flavors of black plum and cinnamon. Franciscan Merlot, also from Napa Valley, has a richness to it, with flavors of mocha, allspice and dark chocolate. This wine is often called the “Cab-Lovers” Merlot for its depth of flavor.
In terms of international wine production, Merlot is rivaled only by that of Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is the most widely planted red grape in France and is extremely popular in areas of northern Italy as well. It’s not going anywhere. Some of the most approachable, Tuesday Take-and-Bake-Pizza-Night Merlots are being produced domestically in both California and Washington. You and Merlot can begin to mend fences on domestic soil, then branch out to some really beautiful expressions from the Bordeaux region of France.
If you haven’t already, it’s time to open our hearts and minds to Merlot once more. Let there be peace.
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