Bringing Merlot Back – Episode #285

July 31, 2007

Gary is trying some Merlot and seeing if Hollywood was right to diss this grape!

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Comments on this episode(258) Leave a comment ›

“I wasn’t drinking wine when I first saw Sideways. When I did start, I…” by ulu ulu ulu ulu
“Bummer about the Souverain. Such a nice label.
QOTD: I wasn’t a hu…” by Phredd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Falesco Merlot Dell UmbriaUmbria IGT
2004 Chateau Souverain MerlotSonoma Merlot
2004 Charles Creek Merlot PasatiempoOther California Merlot
2002 Beringer Howell Mountain Reserve Merlot Bancroft RanchNapa Merlot

Links mentioned in todays episode.

Oak Monster Tee

258 Responses

July 31, 2007

CJM
This #1 is dedicated to ChefD.
July 31, 2007

Greg O
finally…
July 31, 2007

panoca
Top 3?
Yes!
July 31, 2007

Totte
Yeah Merlot…

Top 5 ?

Swedish T
July 31, 2007

Marc Mc
Corte Riva, just fantastic
July 31, 2007

WailingFungus
No, don’t bring Merlot back! I love that it’s got a bad rep and is underpriced because of that!
July 31, 2007

Steve-o
top 10!
July 31, 2007

Norcal
Top 17? GV, let people continue to drink mediocre midpriced pinot noir! Don’t tell them the dirty little secret that there’s actually good merlot out there!
July 31, 2007

ChefD
Thank you CJM you are my hero #9
July 31, 2007

AlisonD
Gary on Conan, that is the best! Congrats..I just set TIVO so I dont miss you!
July 31, 2007

Brandon M
BLOWIN UP…
MAKIN IT BIG TIME…
and all that stuff….nice job Gary
July 31, 2007

Ken
Gary, you lost me as a viewer a long time ago but I still check in occasionally. That being said, Iâ€™m surprised you didnâ€™t look at any Right Bank wines for this episode.
July 31, 2007

AlisonD
Merlot was never my favorite…Sideways didn’t really change my mind, but it was a good movie! We actually snuck a bottle of wine into the theater to enhance the experience = 0
July 31, 2007

garyv
Ken we want you back, we love all peeps, what can I do?
July 31, 2007

David
QOTD: I have never liked Merlot much, especially California Merlot, so the movie confirmed my opinion. I did think that the Merlot scene was hilarious.
July 31, 2007

Steve-o
ROFL@ conan.

QOTD: I wont lie. I had only been drinking wine regularly for a few months when I saw sideways, and it for sure put me off of merlot. BUT after hanging out @ some of the local wineries and chatting with the vintners I realized just how stupid it was to even consider the opinion of a fictional character with a comic dislike of a certain wine…honestly, what was I thinking?
July 31, 2007

Bossman
Much mention of Walsh’s passing over the last day but nary a mention of late night tv pioneer Tom Snyder, tsk…. tsk… particularly with all the talk of Conan. Aside from Trump’s hair being the illegitimate child of Tom’s combover (Rudy Giuliani doesn’t have anything over him either), you have to respect a guy who loses his first broadcasting job by belching on air and complaining about the fare of the restaurant across the street only to find out the owner of the station is also the owner of the eatery (faux pas, n’est pas?). Also, RIP Terry McGovern, you’ll be missed.

Hey Gary what’s the deal with the superheroes on WL home page? Wallet Avengers? Cellar Defenders? Seems pretty Joe Camelesque to me, please watch out for the PC police their tight posteriors just might burst if they get worked up enough (and even you can’t handle that explosion).

Does Liz know about your previous daliance with the OM? Hmmmmm…can you say blackmail?

Oh wine, yeah I drink it but most of it smells like grapes to me.

QOTD: Hollywood, Shmollywood… haven’t seen Sideways and have no desire to I’m more into reading (anyone know where I can get a copy of “Waugh On Wine” for under a buckfifty)?

Remember, “Freebird” won’t be me.
July 31, 2007

keelegl
Nice to see merlot get some play. Sidewayâ€™s didnâ€™t get me to stop drinking merlot. In fact, I think its one of Caliâ€™s best bargains considering the ridiculous prices for cabernet these days.
July 31, 2007

caleb
QOTD-No way jose….started SERIOUSLY drinking wine around the time of its release and didnt watch it until it was released on dvd…
July 31, 2007

MossyMo
I can’t wait to see you taste the 2005 Merlots from Bordeaux. Good luck tomorrow GV!
July 31, 2007

Dave Canada
Giving the Oak Monster golden showers Gary….this show is really pandering to the CKC’s now lol. What would Lizy say?
Nice Conan bit…your going to become his andy richter!
QOTD – Sideways got me further into wine, not really against Merlot but into Pinot….
Good Luck tommorow.
July 31, 2007

angryphoton
always liked Pinot even before Sideways, kinda actually pissed at the price increase because of the movie. I like merlot too btw, and i still drink it when I feel like a Merlot, i drink mostly Pomerol wines though so its not 100% merlot.

AP
July 31, 2007

JonE
I think the oak monster should have a nemesis named fruit-tart fairy.

QOTD: I have made a concerted effort to taste as much Merlot as possible in protest. But being a big Pinot fan prior to the Sideways bomb, I still buy more Pinot. Although Miner Stagecoach Merlot is outstanding!
July 31, 2007

pauly
QOTD: Merlot? What’s merlot?
July 31, 2007

tomfar
Thanks for doing the show Gary. As a Merlot producer (among other flavors), it has indeed been frustrating to see people take so much joy in dissing the varietal. It is, as you alluded to, a victim of its own success. People made a lot of crap Merlot to cash in. That being said, the varietal never lost its place as a perfect wine between Cab and Pinot. Now the bar has risen once and for all. Enjoy the lower prices while they last!
July 31, 2007

JC
I think Pinot sucks! Hollywood can go … friggin socialists!
July 31, 2007

Marc
QOTD: I started drinking more after seeing it, but I started drinking more of everything other than beer, partially because that was around when I turned 21. But yeah, they’re good. Especially when a Washington State Merlot is usually a better value than a Cali Cab.
July 31, 2007

Jennifer
I’m a gullible woman, Gary. That was pretty damn funny.
QOTD: No. I saw part of the movie just a few months ago… actually thought it was kind of a downer. Absolutely no wine persuasion here, GV.
July 31, 2007

CatScanMan
I’m still pulling splinters out of my mouth from the last Beringer PR Chardonnay I had 10 years ago, so the merlot oak monster does not surprise me one bit.

Thanks for the LT shout out, that looked painful.

QOTD: I was drinking Pinot way before “Sideways”. Everyone know why Merlot became so popular? Huh, do ya, huh? It’s simply because it’s easy to pronounce. That’s why. People with little or no wine knowledge could go to a restaurant and order “merlot” and not feel uncomfortable.
July 31, 2007

Gustasopher
GV, not the best ‘come-back’ episode for Merlot. Oh well.

QOTD: YES! I was drinking Merlot long (I mean long) before Sideways–a movie that I enjoyed. In fact, for years my favorite wine was a 1996 Markham Merlot before I became more adventurous in my wine selections.

Cheers

http://corkd.com/people/gusasopher
July 31, 2007

Paul
QOTD: Sideways was an amusing movie, that’s all. I’ve drunk way too much PN and merlot over the years to be influenced by that. I did bump into some wineries of which I had little knowledge, however.

BTW – big show coming up, G. Congrats!! HHUUUUGGGGGEEEEE stuff.
July 31, 2007

Jen
QOTD: It probably did affect my merlot consumption negatively, but that isn’t a bad thing, because before that movie I hadn’t had but maybe one pinot noir… And to think what I’d have missed if I never started getting into pinot…
And because of the movie now I’m into wine more in general; so – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — thank you, SIDEWAYS, for making me drink more wine, no matter what varietal.
p.s. now I’m interested in more good merlots too… haven’t tasted one lately though!
July 31, 2007

Taco John
QOTD: Haven’t been a wine drinker long enough.

Another nice episode, and what a cameo by the Oak Monster. You better be wearing one of two things on Conan Gary: either a WLTV T-Shirt or a 3-button undone button-up like on the show.
July 31, 2007

mas
Thanks Gary – I’m a fan of Riccardo Cotarella and agree that the lower priced Merlot has been disappointing, but the Montiano is usually on point. Best under $20 Merlots come from Washington for me.

QOTD: I just thought Sideways was a great movie – if anything, it got me to try more Pinot vs. drinking less Merlot. Found I didn’t care for most Cali Pinots vs. Old World or Oregon.
July 31, 2007

portland guy
Interesting episode. QOTD – Never was crazy about Cali merlots; but do like the clarets of France, particularly those with a heavy merlot influence. ‘Sideways’ did push me to try more serious OR PNs – and that certainly changed my drinking habits. Drank PNs of Burgundy many, many, many years ago – but got priced out. Nice to discover quality OR PNs that approach some of those Burgundies that I routinely drank in the ’60’s and ’70’s.
July 31, 2007

Jeffrey
What, no love for Long Island Merlot today?
July 31, 2007

kietkopelli
Hi Gary, I always liked merlots. Sidesways only got me to drink more Pinot but my merlot consumption didnâ€™t drop much.

For those interested, merlots from Nickel and Nickel, Paradigm, and Ruston are off the charts. Sorry Gary these are not wines that WL stock but they are worth seeking out.
July 31, 2007

Joe
nice episode – I share your feelings on the overuse of oak – hate it!

I was down on Merlot before Sideways….but Sideways did drive up (and I am happy about it) my exploration of different Pinot – especially SRH pinot!
Joe
July 31, 2007

TD
LT was a “nice player” ??? Holy bejezzus you Jets girls are cute. I mean c’mon, I can admit yer Joe Kleko kid was alright – he used to mow my lawn back in 89. Did a real good job when I chalked out the lines for him…

QOTD: I saw that flick about two months ago. Not bad at all. I still like all kinds of wine, but I’m even more against ‘last fling’ pre-wedding type weekends. Another movie I should have read first.
July 31, 2007

Shad
The wine that got me started in drinking wine was a Merlot and I continue to drink it to this day. I am not a huge Pinot Noir fan (a little too light most times for me). SO I will continue to drink Merlot and thanks for the show.
July 31, 2007

Shadowbird
QOTD: I haven’t seen Sideways, and I haven’t been a serious wine drinker until well after the movie, so no, Hollywood has not screwed me up. Yet.
July 31, 2007

wolfie
qotd: i wasn’t into wine the first time i saw the movie, so no impact at the time.
July 31, 2007

maggiej
Merlots were my favorite before I started drinking a lot of wine. I still like them, but so many of the cheaper ones are over-oaked. I like my oak monster in the closet, just poking his head out.

QOTD: I hated the movie so much and hate the idea of following trends, that I think I avoid Pinot Noir unfairly more than Merlot.
July 31, 2007

Alos Diallo
I have never seen the movie so it did not impact me at all. I don’t watch tv and don’t get to see movies much sorry. So I like wine for the qualities that I find important my pallet! Great episode Gary I have not had a lot of Merlot and will give more of it a try.
July 31, 2007

dkeck
GV
Love seeing Conan on the show.
QOTD: I love Merlot wine but have been drinking less as I try different wines. However, I really like Washington’s Columbia Valley Merlot wines better than the Merlot wines from California.
July 31, 2007

ecola
Good luck on Conan, I e-mail 20 or so people to check it out. GV blowin up!
July 31, 2007

amgryger
I’m with Jeffrey, no love for Long Island Merlot? I had the Lenz Merlot a couple weeks back and really enjoyed it.

QOTD: Sideways didn’t affect my opinion of merlot at all. For a while, most of the merlot I tried really let me down, but because I had really enjoyed some bordeaux that was heavy on merlot, I knew there must be other good merlot out there, so I kept looking. And I have started to find a few that I like.

Finally, Good Luck on Conan!
July 31, 2007

Greg B.
Ok Hollywood G, I think you might being coming to my home town soon. Leno might be calling next. LOL. Anyway love all Wines, remember?
QOTD. I saw how crazy Pinot prices went, so I knew Merlot prices would drop. Then I drank and drank and I have been pretty happy with the big M ever since. : )
July 31, 2007

GrapeStuff (formerly known as Donald Pipkin)
GV – great show! Glad to see the juxtaposition to episode #259 (think i mentioned in the comments on that show that you should do the inverse show of the Sideways Pinot Effect – a show on merlot). Anyway, great episode and good luck on Conan – you’re gonna kill it!
July 31, 2007

NathanN
The show ROCKED!

QOTD: I drink twice as much merlot as I do Pinot Noir
July 31, 2007

Seth
Hey GV! Thanks for the great show. I ordered three merlots today along with some others in your customer appreciation sale but sadly as I was informed tonight by email, two are already out of stock. Hopefully the other will bring some thunder! Any chance you could taste a few of the wines from the sale this week? Thanks for the great show and keep up the good work!
July 31, 2007

GlassRunnethEmpty
QOTD: Hollywood impact me? Nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
July 31, 2007

Brian K
Yeah I hate to say it.. maybe not so much Sideways.. but the movement in general.. I’d say that I’m drinking less Merlot’s because that’s not what’s in.
However – I’ll add that I DO NOT drink Pinot’s even though they ARE in.. I don’t care for many pinot’s is all.
But – I did enjoy Merlot’s alot more when I first got into wines.. Now I drink mostly cab’s and we try to find a lot of less popular wines like Amarone’s, tempranillos, petit syrah’s etc..

I’m going to start buying merlot’s again. Your right.. you can find some great qpr’s.
July 31, 2007

Jon B.
Great show . I can’t believe the Conan spot,if you do half as well as he did on your show today your going to kill it.An oak monster to boot great episode.QOTD Noooooooo I’m not a big fan of pinots (there are a few I’ve enjoyed ) I’ll take a good merlot over a Pinot any day. Thanks GV and WLTV crew. Good luck tomarrow
July 31, 2007

yowens
GV- good show, went to Napa recently and found myself enjoying the merlots more than the Cabs. QOTD: Pre-sideways I was drinking the Natural light and the Keystone light.
July 31, 2007

John Witherspoon
…camera fades to Gary 5 years ago….
‘Gary and the oak monster sittin’ in a tree, k i s s i n g…..’

….camera fades to Gary present day
‘Gary in the tree p i s s i n g on the oak monster.’

Nice episode G V. me and the ms. (infamous lurker) loved it and love the Justin Timberlake reference, Megan (the Ms.) says you can bring sexy back too.

QOTD: Sideways/Hollywood/bollywood did nothing to change our/my opinion of Merlot.

Good EP, good luck on COnan tomorrow night, nice haircut.

J DUB and wife
July 31, 2007

James Roscoe
How is your tongue? Get all the splinters out? LOL!
Get rid of those scores! They muddy up the show!
Have fun with Conan!
July 31, 2007

Matthew L
Great show Gary. I was hoping the Chateau Souverain would show better. I’ve been fond of their Chardonnay, and think they produce quality at a nice price point. Oh well.

QOTD: Hollywood has little or no bearing on the my real-life choices. I actually had the reverse experience with Sideways. I was a HUGE Pinot Noir fan going into that movie. All my friends gave me a lot of grief when it came out. The movie actually challenged me to get out and try Merlot. Usually when someone picks on a wine, it’s because of the popularity. But, unlike White Zinfandel, Merlot doesn’t deserve the bashing it took in Sideways. Besides, the movie makers played the joke on all by having Miles chugging Merlot with a cheeseburger at the end of the movie.

Hey…Are you going to rock a fresh Oak Monser t-shirt on Conan tomorrow, or will you go a little more upscale with a striped French-cuff shirts with your jeans?
July 31, 2007

Lenny
I still like Merlot, and I never heard of the movie Sidtrack – or whatever it is.

So I guess the answer is NO Holywood didn’t change my mind. Does it ever change the mind of anyone who has a brain?????
July 31, 2007

Boozer
Good episode. Interesting how taste change over time. Gary once the Oak Monster’s friend now his nemesis!

Episode Suggestion: Gary verses the Oak Monster!

QOTD: I was a not so much a new to wine but really just starting to get serious when I saw Sideways. It actually inspired me to try more of both. I saw the whole setup of Merlot and Pinot Noir as the butt end of a joke, as well as, an extension of the overall conflict of the characters.

Bottom line never let a movie pick anything for you.
July 31, 2007

surf.sf
Gary, one of the most entertaining and educational episodes in a while. Keep bringing the thunder.

QOTD: as a side note LOVED Sideways has everything I like in a movie including a lot of wine geekiness! Never drank too much Merlot but the movie has made the grape Faux Pas to serve to wine geek friends at parties. I have had some good Merlots and I do find I often enjoy Cab/Merlot blends more silky than pure Cabs because I’m not a big fan of huge Tannic wines.
July 31, 2007

joebot
QOTD- No way !! I don’t let hollywood dictate my tastes!! For me it was the opposite, it made me remember to give it a try as it was kind of on the backburner as far as varietals go even before the movie came out. I’m drinking merlot as I type this so there! And I gave it a Sniffy sniff SNIFF too before tasting it!!! Great show and good luck with the Conan O Brian show!

Joe
July 31, 2007

Darlene O.
Hey, Gary, another great episode. QOD: Here’s the deal…’Sideways’ introduced me to Pinots, since I had not really given them alot of attention previously. Did not stop my love of Merlot, though…
July 31, 2007

Jeff
I noticed sideways when their ad agency started throwing money around buying overpriced ad space on the web. I remember thinking “I sure hope they know more about wine and moving making than they do online advertising.”

I was pleasantly surprised with the movie and it made me take notice that there were more than a few quality wines coming out of the central coast.

I was a big Pinot fan before Sideways and if anything it just made me drink less Pinot and expand what I was buying. The spike in demand made it harder to find or afford the wines that I’d found on sale a few months earlier.

I’ve been drinking the 2004 Clos Du Val Merlot – yummy stuff, much better than the other vintages of their merlot that I’ve tasted.

Congrats on Conan, the DVR is set.
July 31, 2007

Larry
Was way to far into Zinfandel by then to be concerned about Merlot. Did start trying PN after that. Very funny movie, but that would be like letting Homer Simpson choose my donuts.
July 31, 2007

Paul M
Never was much of a Merlot fan well before Sideways. The movie did push me a little towards Pinot Noir but really the movie is tiny in its impact for me compared with WLTV.

Over the last year or so I have found an appreciation for Merlot in the right context, as well as many other varietals and love just trying new things and exploring what is out there.
July 31, 2007

wlburk
good episode. cannot WAIT for Conan. I liked the little bit in there.

QOTD: I wasn’t old enough to drink before I saw the movei, but I was smart enough to realize that it was just a movie, and that it shouldn’t affect the way I fell about things in my life.
July 31, 2007

Aheadwithwings
QOTD: I wasn’t heavy into wine when i saw Sideways but not that I am, when I hear Merlot…The negative lines from the movie do pop up in my head, but i have been making a effort to ignore those negative thoughts.
July 31, 2007

Ben N.
Good show today.
QOTD: Sideways was a good movie, but I make up my own mind which wine to drink. Not what a movie tells me to drink.
July 31, 2007

Grapedigger
I’ve always been a sucker for Merlots from Bordeaux, especially St-emilion. Sideways did open my eyes to pinot noir but did not alter my affinity to Merlots..Bring us some more value Merlots..
Good luck on the big show tomorrow. Cheers…
July 31, 2007

holly
this guy is abnoxious! Your site was recommendeed by wine professionals so maybe I am too uptight.
July 31, 2007

RieslingRon
QOTD I must admit that prior to Sideways I enjoyed Merlots and viewed PN more as expensive burgundies from France. After Sideways I looked more into PN and less of Merlot, but after awhile I went back to Merlots and also look for PN. I still enjoy Merlots, especially from Wash. State.
July 31, 2007

Harley Stan
Gary, great episode, two cameos as well, one from Conan and the one from the Oak Monster. Can’t wait for tomorrow, I think I will watch the Conan show first then WLTV, it will be like a double feature.
QOTD- Sideways did impact me, I was not really into wine until I saw the movie, it sparked an interest. I do not frown upon merlot, I have been having fun trying everything I can.
July 31, 2007

Mudd
QOTD: Nah. No movie has ever made me do anything I didn’t want to do. Except. I did buy a little chain steering wheel for my Buick after seeing Cheech and Chong’s Up In Smoke! Now there’s a movee!
July 31, 2007

Scarred1
Great Show Gary!

QOTD: I have been drinking Pinot and Merlot for years, as well as Cab, Shiraz and Zin. I still do. Before the movie, I felt like I had the pinots and zins all to myself, while everyone else gobled up cabs, merlots and shirazes. Now that the demand for pinots has increased and there are a lot more “poor” pinots available, I tend to focus on other unsung alternatives like zin and malbec. I still like a good merlot and a good pinot, but the values are not what they used to be.

Thanks and good luck tomorrow.
John
July 31, 2007

Grape Expectations
QOTD: I’ve always liked Merlot and I loved Sidweways. You have to keep in mind that the lead character in the movie is a world-class neurotic. So it makes sense that he would love that very neurotic grape, Pinot Noir. IMHO, the fact that he trashed Merlot was a point in Merlot’s favor. I’ve recently been finding some really nice Merlots from my neighborhood (Washington state)for under $15.
July 31, 2007

TommyBoBo of WI
QOTD: Wasn’t drinking much Merlot,, started in on the PN though because, let’s face it, YOU COULDN’T READ ABOUT ANY DAMN THING ELSE for about 6 months after the movie. So sure, “hey, maybe I should look into this”. And as others have said, “thank you Sidways, without you and the hype I would have never known thee”
Break a Leg, GV
July 31, 2007

Vinovintner
Merlot can be a very serious wine if made properly. Example in point is Petrus. Merlot is also a great blending grape bringing the thunder to the mid palatte of Cabernet Sauvignon and adds a silkiness and complexity to fine red wine. When a dollop of Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot are added you have the classic bordeaux blend and a very interesting wine.

I really think it is a shame that people can be convinced so heavily by a movie rather than their own palatte. I believe the impact of the movie is out of control. Many vineyards are pulling up Merlot vines and replacing them with Pinot Noir. The higher the demand for the grape, the higher price the grower can command. All over a movie, you’ve got to be kidding.

As you know Pinot is a very finicky and fickled grape. It is a nightmare for the winemaker because it is unpredictable. Shame on Hollywood for bastardizing a wonderful grape such as Merlot, which has great merit.
July 31, 2007

Abel
QOTD: I am thankful for “Sideways”. My merlot consumption has gone way up – from about 1/20th of my total wine consumption to about 1/10th. The lower prices have made it much more worth it. I wish Hollywood would make a movie that trashed Bordeaux and Piedmont!!!!

Have fun tomorrow!
July 31, 2007

Jerry the 2THDR
QOTD: I saw the movie and was totally unimpressed with the movie and its message. Until 7-8 years ago I never bought Pinot Noir because I didn’t know what to pair it with. The best one I ever tried was the “J”. It goes with everything. For the passed 2 days I have been drinking Rapidan River Pinot Noir 1996 from Virginia. Today I had it with goat cheese and lamb chops. It was perfect and had one of the smoothest finishes I can remember. I had been avoiding it for over a year because I thought it would probably be junk. You never can tell. Jerry the 2THDR
July 31, 2007

Mike Alvin
Sorry, I’m still a newbie, but what is 29 on the chalkboard behind Gary for?

(I like Givrey” Sous la Roache Merlot”.)
July 31, 2007

Malarkey
qotd: I was drinking merlot before Sideways, and I have continued to drink it after… why? because there are some damn good merlots out there, that’s why! the movie is just an illustration of two very disfunctional humans, and that’s what makes it a brilliant movie.
July 31, 2007

Tommy Williams Jr.
I gotta ask myself, “Does Berenger think that using a ton of new oak to cover a mediocre wine justify the price tag?” Marketing, ego, mission statement, or what is involved in their winemakers decision making?
July 31, 2007

nougat
Loved the movie Sideways, but it had zero impact on my Merlot & Pinot consumption.
July 31, 2007

Adam
Me, just starting to taste wine for about 3 or 4 months now, was wondering… is White Merlot a respected wine or is it just another white Zin?
July 31, 2007

Mike S.
OK, When I first saw that movie, with the one great line “f—ing merlot” I have to admit, I sank in my seat and said to myself, what — What — WHAT the hell is wrong with merlot you stupid bald little son of a . . . .

Sorry, I can get a little loose at times. But you should of seen my wife, standing up on the backs of those theater chairs with both birds ablazing singin “die you merlot hating sack of. . . . .”, then she busted out her bag of grapes and started slinging them at the screen with her sling shot (wrist rocket, yeah you know). . . .

I lift my let on sideways…… and on O-Brian’s hair. OK, sorry, that was mean. I have the gold wrapped, extra extended, wide-screen version on my nightstand. . . . . I bought in on WL.com

Good luck tommorrow
August 1, 2007

luvgrapesqeezings
I had too much good merlot from St. Emillion, Italy, Greece, Californy and Washington State before the movie to be entirely closed off to it like the movie’s protagonist. However, there was a large enough ocean of high yield, plonky merlot out there to turn off most anyone if they did not have good merlot. It’s fun to watch merlot naysayers in a blind tasting enjoy it! I’m a bit concerned about the amount of oak flavors in many wines where vanilla and cedar flavors mute the fruit.
It would be cool to learn more about old/new oak and how different degrees of grain fineness and types of oak effect wines (French oak vs Missouri oak vs. Slovenian oak etc…)
August 1, 2007

t_moderne
Thanks for covering merlot.
QOTD – My wine consumption has been INDIRECTLY impacted by Sideways. First, I will drink Merlot – but there was (is) a fair amount of bad merlot out there – often vegetal or fake. Sideways did not make merlot go away and – if you look in the right places – you can find some very good merlot. Did someone say “Pomerol”? Yes, I did!
Where Sideways did impact me is on the Pinot side. It might have had an impact on the availability of good Pinot. My wine store carries much more Pinot today than it did a few years ago. The availability of more Pinot is what has indirectly impacted my wine drinking. More good Pinot available means more good Pinot to taste. If Sideways “changed the wine world” by making more good quality Pinot available for me to drink, then so be it. I’m down wit dat.
August 1, 2007

msb2ncsu
Great episode.

QOTD: My wife and I are still relative wine newbs but we were frequently buying wines by the case (variety cases of course!) before Sideways. While we love some Pinot Noir, I mean who doesn’t, we most definitely stick up for merlot. It is amazing how much hate there is for merlot among people who really don’t drink much wine beyond Yellow Tail and Kendall Jackson. When you ask them why they never really have any reason. It reminds me of how my wife, like me, loves vodka tonics but she swears she hates gin. I told her I was making a v&t but of course was making a gin and tonic with a good French gin that is strong in juniper flavor, Citadelle. I tell her the v&t tastes great and she should sample. She of course loves it and asks what I did differently. She was not too happy when I pointed out I simply used gin instead of vodka. People are hardcore in preconceived notions and it needs to stop!
August 1, 2007

E
You know, without all the wine Sideways would have been a damned depressing flick. It made me want to crack a bottle, but that was about it. Besides, I’d rather have Cab Franc anyway, so what do I know.

In fact, I think I picked up some of the last Charles Creek merlot you did a show about … a little sweeter and oakier than I would have preferred, but all that aside still a really nice wine, esp. for Cali in that price range.

Oh, and then I discovered this thing called Bordeaux …
August 1, 2007

OttawaB
Always been a Merlot fan , especially St. Emilion and Pommrol. Also like some of the Washington State Merlots coming out. Cali merlots can be hit and miss but there are some great ones. I hope their prices remain in the QPR area however.

Also liked Pinots long before Sideways.

Good luck on Conan.
August 1, 2007

SacramentoCharlie
Gary on Conan ??? who would have thought that ??? Oh wait, let’s check out my comment from Episode #259 in mid June:

“Good Episodeâ€¦blah, blah, blahâ€¦letâ€™s talk about the new ad in the new Wine Spectator !!! Nice Pub !!! Weâ€™ll be seeing GV on Conan or the Today Show before too long. Forget LeBron, we are all witnesses to GV blowing up !!!”

Would you like my prediction for the Jets this season too ?

QOTD: Wasn’t a big Merlot drinker before but probably have been influenced more than I realize as I don’t even seek it….but that’s one of the great things about wine….For example you can be ‘into’ blends and seek out that aspect. Then maybe you are on a cab streak for a while. Then maybe you get into a specific region……I love this about wine and am sure I’ll get Merlot back into the mix soon.
August 1, 2007

Totte
QotD : No it didnÂ´t. I do feel not just a little bit like Miles quite often.

Hope you have a good time at Conan. Good Luck

Swedish T
August 1, 2007

Robert F
Actually, sideways didn’t have much to do with it, since it came out a few years before I started drinking wine, but actually WLTV has changed my merlot drinking. It has changed my merlot drinking in the same way it has changed all my other wine drinking, in that I don’t drink much califonria wine anymore. I was really into big aussi shirazes for a while there, but I got really tired of the huge new world hi-c mixed with vodka. Now that you’ve opened my mind to new regions and varietals, I’m drinking wines from argentina, south africa, spain, new zealand, and for my merlots, I’m all old world – Pomerol and St. Emilion. California really doesn’t do much for me anymore – the oak monster has too much power, and from a QPR standpont, I’ll take off-the-beaten-path wines over cali anyday.
August 1, 2007

wmole
I live near the sideways ava and have gone there a lot off and on for 10-15 years. Last saturday too! Have tasted a lot of pinots and syrahs in the area for free(not anymore) or for $5 at the wineries. For me before sideways, it was usually, what’s better? their pn, syrah, chard or sauv blanc. I liked big reds more then so i leaned to syrah.

Went to napa/sonoma for a little tour, had some fun, and got pretty tipsy. I eventually grew tired of the cab merlot zin chard thing over and over so I said to my mate, “I think I like our S.B county wines better than these”. She was on a merlot pilgrimage… gave me a look, and said nothing.

One Napa pourer, upon finding out where we were from, said, “what are you doing here? SB county wines are hot” Her comments were made pre-sideways.

The point? Two people in this story echoed Miles’ sentiment but to much lesser degrees. How many more were there?

I loved the movie, it was certainly made up, but also based on life around here. Also thought it was very un-hollywood in it’s dealing with the lizard brain. Too bad merlot was a victim but I ain’t cryin’ Also liked “A good year” and hope that Gary will someday review “Le coin perdu”. Ha!

QOTD: Yeh, it changed me, made me appreciate more what we have here… Actually it sucks, don’t buy it! Also made me think, correct me if I’m wrong, merlot should be blended.
August 1, 2007

wildebeest
Wow, the Conan bit was classic! Thanks for the laugh; I’ll be watching you live tomorrow for sure!

QOTD: Honestly, I’m mainly a post-Sideways wine drinker. But Miles only got me started. It was Gary who hooked me.
August 1, 2007

wine-ot
99 points sign off gv….and really liked the show! Forgot to congradulate you on the Conan Show so CONGRADULATIONS! QOTD – Weighs subconciously on my decisions…
August 1, 2007

wine-ot
Buy the way the movie 300 rocks!!!!
August 1, 2007

Jahlove
Sideways was an entertaining movie but it didn’t affect my preferences. In fact, like a lot of folks I’m sure, it made me mad. I was a big Pinot fan before then but after that movie, prices rose big time, although it is fair to note that they were already on the rise. There was a buzz on the street, particularly about the increasing quality of Cali pinot, before that movie came out. So you can’t totally blame it on that movie. I never was a huge Merlot drinker before than. And actually I could probably argue that since that movie came out, I’ve actually bought more Merlot than ever before. I’ve noticed an increase in my interest in right bank, Merlot-based wines as well high quality Merlot out of Italy. Meanwhile with each new Cali and Oregon vintage, I curse under my breath. Oregon Pinots that used to be had at $20 or under are now $30 and over. Whatchagonnado?! Watch more WLTV I guess. Looking forward to seeing you on Conan. I know you’re gonna “bring the thunder!”
August 1, 2007

Bill Luby
By pure coincidence, I have had the opportunity to spend a little time with both Bill Walsh and Tom Snyder and I must say that regardless of how much they excelled in their field, they were first and foremost great men. Two big losses.

QOTD: I have often chuckled that I should have written the ‘Sideways’ screenplay, inasmuch as I was not a fan at all of (California) merlot, yet have spent a quarter century searching for better California/Oregon pinot noir. Sideways may have driven the price of pinot noir up, but it has been great for helping get boutique producers off the ground. In the end, Sideways put a public face on my personal preferences and didn’t really change a thing, except perhaps my desire to seek out new red varietals as the prices of pinot noirs have continued to climb.
August 1, 2007

Judi
Gary, I did love the film Sideways, and I was seduced for a short time by
Pinot, but I have always been a Merlot drinker…I shall never forsake
that grape.
Can’t wait to see you on Conan.
judi
August 1, 2007

Ferrigno
Comment 100
QOTD: mm I do like the pommerol stuff, I’m super far away from the “new world” varietals, that is, wine (particularly bordeaux varietals) produced in contries like USA, Chile, Australia, etc.. So after watching sideways I’m still into Pommerol and some St Emilion and very far away from the new world merlot
August 1, 2007

JCfromtheWC
Awesome job with the corks today.

QOTD: My wine consumption has picked up considerably since Sideways, though I don’t think my Merlot consumption has changed relative to other varietals. My pinot consumption has increased dramatically though I think that is as much due to a changing palate (away from just Big Cabs) as it is to our favorite movie. Good question.
August 1, 2007

JOEinLA
Nice episode. Too bad about that Beringer. I was ready to pull the trigger so thanks for saving me~! I like Merlots, especially Italians!~

Sideways was dopey…2 loser guys…other than that, yeah, it was great.

QOTD: Didn’t change a thing other than bigger crowds at the central coast wineries.

Thanks for the Giants shout out to LT!
August 1, 2007

KC Dan
Funny stuff with conan there Gman . Where can i get a big ASS glass like that . Qotd no way man .
August 1, 2007

Douche
QOTD: Pinot has always been my favourite, but since Sideways I’ve made more of an effort to seek out every weird and wonderful Pinot I can, from places like Spain, Austria, England, Sancerre, Italy and so on, Pinot that is a little bit off the beaten track. The thing I love most about Pinot (when done right!) is its ability to express its place of origin better than any other grape I’ve yet come across. I’ve also been drinking more Merlot, especially from France and South Africa…and drinking A LOT LESS CABERNET.
August 1, 2007

Capt M
Why am I not surprised.. my conception about Merlot is that it is NOT a California top product, regardless of Sideways. Maybe Sideways was focusing on a point that is overall true. I wish that you have presented a french merlot among the ones you just tasted, just to put a light on the difference. True Merlot is supposed to be much austere than the Charles Creek Pasatiempo that you tasted.
The Conan O’Brien appearance was hilarious, well done!!
Sideways has not affected the way I select the wine varietals that I want to drink. For instance, WLTV has much more affected me in that way, and for instance, I go through normal cycles. Right now, I find myself seeking Cab Sauvignons quite a bit, and not very interesting in Pinots or Shirahs. I’m also trying to follow whites more. Anyway, GREAT SHOW!
August 1, 2007

Pastore
QOTD: Didn’t drink a lot of wine prior to Sideways, so it didn’t really have an effect on what I drank! But I have been working hard to catch up, drinking and/or tasting every type of wine I can find!
August 1, 2007

FTboomer
QOTD:

Hated the movie, hated Merlot & hated Pinot prior to the movie. Now I still hate the movie, drink a little merlot and a little pinot.

Have fun tonight and twitter us up.
August 1, 2007

hasbeen
My wife has always enjoyed Merlot and I have found some over the years that I liked though I buy the ones that my wife likes. We have not changed anything about our wine preferences do to the movie which we thought was a pazzzzzzz.

I liked hearing that you used to hang with the oak monster. Years ago I used to buy Kendall Jackson Chardonnay by the case because the oak monster lived in that bottle. Now I seldom buy chardonnay and when I see the oak monster I walk the other way and try not to let others know of our previous relationship.
August 1, 2007

e TRAIN
GV

What about the other merlot families? For all those folks who are embarassed to pull that Merlot from the bargin close out basket in many retailers or to bring that bottle to the counter because the sales clerks give you that look like you are from a by gone era. The Merlot alternatives: Rustic Malbec from France in Cahor, or Cot from the Loire or the juicy Malbec’s from Argentina. For the Merlot drinker who still doesn’t know what Sideways is there are options!:]
August 1, 2007

Rob B.
Nice episode.
Qotd: I like Merlot occasionally, and always will. I have yet to find a pinot that is a really good QPR, so I don’t drink it too much.

I know you didn’t attempt to compare the real LT to Lagerman. That is too funny, watch yourself with those comments.
August 1, 2007

E
Now that I think about it, the last really great non-French merlot I had was from Washington State …
August 1, 2007

john ripperger
Gary, I didnt drink a lot of merlot before Sideways and still don’t now. If anyone is interested in good merlot from Cali however, Jarvis and Etude make the two best I’ve had from the Napa area. Both are inky black in color, very fruity, have long finishes, and age worthy. To finish up the QOTD, before Sideways I didn’t drink much pinot but now 3-4 years later, I drink a ton. In the last year I have probably drank more pinot than I have cabernet, which is a first.
August 1, 2007

Billman
QOTD: I don’t think so, but I never really drank a lot of merlot.
August 1, 2007

TommyBoBo of WI
Try Pride Merlots,,, they usually put a dash of Cab in them,, the 1996’s are drinking really well right now.
August 1, 2007

The Godfather
What goes around … comes around. Pinot is going, mostly because there is way too much mediocre juice fetching way too high prices. The QPR for (good)Merlot makes it a (comparative) bargain in today’s marketplace. One of the true joys of a wine cellar is enjoying expensive wine today that cost a pittance years earlier. Cheers!
August 1, 2007

Susan
Gary-Will be praying that you stay calm and focused for the Conan interview!!!
We are all sure you will do great!!!
August 1, 2007

Orion Slayer
Awesome! WLTV hosts Conan O’Brien. That guy was a little stiff though. Hope he loosens up tonight.

QOTD: Hollywood did effect my Merlot drinking, I drank more of it! I hate to be told what to do or to follow trends. I drank Merlot before Sideways and have not changed after seeing the movie (which I enjoyed, especially the scene where he drinks from the spit bucket!) I ordered two bottles of the Charles Creek Miradero Merlot you featured in episode 89 back in September last year.

Good luck tonight with Conan! Have a great time and be yourself!!!
August 1, 2007

ciaobarbara
Yes…I was on my way out of drinking Merlot. But this movie confirmed it. Merlot became something like white zin…only people that don’t know wine drink this stuff cuz everyone else does. Ok, not quite the same as the Merlot – however the movie encouraged diversity and I went with it…so thank you Hollywood!
August 1, 2007

Robin
QOTD: I was totally in sympathy with Miles. I couldn’t stop laughting. Merlot is a soft, squishy, formless wine that is best used in blending. Maybe I should have been looking in the 90+ ratings to find a decent Merlot. I think the movie was really more about severely dysfunctional males and the women who put up with them (or not) though. I will look up the Charles Creek merlot, as we are very fond of the Charles Creek Patolitas chardonnay – so even in Albuquerque, there’s a chance that we can obtain and try that merlot.

Still trying to unload the Oak Monster T-shirts? You owe me a couple of shirts but don’t even think about sending those.
August 1, 2007

mjhch1
I like Merlot. I like Pinot Noir. I like lots of stuff. And, I particularly hate when I’m told I should like something..by whoever or whatever that may be. Unfortunately so much is influenced by persons such as RP, and other entities WS, F&W, etc… and of course, Hollow-wood.
I am majorly disappointed to spend my $$$,open a bottle of wine and get totally blown away with oak, major fruit bombs, and burned w/ alcohol, then read that someone gave it 93 points. (which has recently happened, unfortunately)
Gary, I don’t care if you ever “rate” another bottle again, but I do enjoy your tasting notes, and have found some wine, via your show, that I really like.
BTW I loved the movie Sideways.. particulary the ballsy character played by Sandra Oh. She kicked ASS!
Anyways..this is a rant topic for me.. so I’ll spare you, and get off my soapbox.

Salut!!
August 1, 2007

Robin
P.S. Good luck on Conan. I really like him.
August 1, 2007

Elliot Essman
Sideways made me want to seek out the true essence of Merlot instead of avoiding it. The movie had a point, however, in that so many California Merlots, manufactured in industrial quantities to respond to fashion, tasted to me like cement.

The other side of the story is that the movieâ€™s championship of Pinot Noir may put that grape in an even worse position. Pinot Noir is much harder to grow than Merlot. Merlot, being a Bordeaux grape, at least has the aspect that it is usually improved by blending. This is not so with Pinot Noir. A California â€œPinot Noirâ€ filled out with 13% Syrah? Donâ€™t chuckle â€“ you may well be drinking just that.

All that said, Sideways at least brought the subject of individual taste to the fore. We may not imitate Miles by stealing cash from our mothers, or let ourselves be pushed around by our crass and tasteless buddies, but a little bit of his passion for wine wonâ€™t hurt us. So if the movie was unfair to Merlot, it was still good for wine in general.
August 1, 2007

El
Loved this episode but HATED the big glass. I liked Sideways and it did not change my drinking-in fact I might have seeked out Merlot more as I really like Cabs and Pinots.
Good luck with Conan-I’ll try to stay up….
August 1, 2007

LushOsMEl
As a Server, can I just say how much I hated this movie! Jeez, I love Paul Giamatti and all but if I had to hear one more bumpkin from Kansas come in and make a joke about Merlot I was gonna throttle someone! There are some amazing Merlots out there and if the “hop-on-the-bandwagon” crowd wants to race after Pinots than fine, more for the rest of us. I just think that its unfortunate that many restaurants do not offer them by the glass anymore.

Oh, and Gary, best of luck tonight (or this afternoon, I never know when they tape that stuff…)
August 1, 2007

TR
Sideways was intended to be toungue in cheek in regard to Merlot as many people know the Prized wine of the recitivist protaganist was a mostly Merlot ‘61 Cheval Blanc.
The best Merlot I’ve ever had is the Chappelle de Ausone 2000 St Emillion. I can only imagine how good the $600 1st wine from that vintage is.
I drank a bottle of Robert Sinsky 2003 Los Carneros Merlot last night, look Ma, no Hangover! This was real wine in a nice place in between New and old World style and a decent bargain at $24. It went great with the KFC my talented wife cooked up for me.
August 1, 2007

DrEdwardo
I was already avoiding most merlots well before “Sideways”. There were way too many overpriced and bad merlots that made it a pass.

The same thing is happening with both Shiraz especially and Pinot Noir.

Edwardo
August 1, 2007

RandyB
Help me out movie fans, but wasn’t the ironic twist to this movie that Miles’ most prized possession, a bottle of wine that he had passionately guarded and which formed the psychological link to a much happier time in his life, a merlot?

The movie had no affect on my buying or drinking habits except that I purchased fewer Pinot Noir’s because their QPR no longer made sense.

GV, I set the DVR just in case I can’t stay awake to watch Conan live. We’ll be rooting for you.
August 1, 2007

RandyB
Thanks, TR I couldn’t remember the ‘61 Cheval Blanc.
August 1, 2007

Chris C
QOTD: I hated the movie Sideways. I thought that it made wine drinkers look like freaks and buffoons. Merlot is still one of my favorite wines and I am glad that because of the movie, Merlot is more available and less expensive than in the past.

GV: Convince Conan to join the Vayniak nation. Have fun on the show!!
August 1, 2007

wmole
Exactly right RandyB. Hence the title SIDEWAYS
August 1, 2007

Kara E.
Sideways SUCKED!!! There’s a reason it was nominated for a bunch of awards and didn’t win except for best adapted screen play!! I wouldn’t listen to anything they said in that crapy movie.
Got the Tivo set for Conan….good luck.
Signing off…as a friend of a friend of a friend…
Kara
August 1, 2007

Aaron
QOTD: Hated sideways. But, now Merlots are much harder to find in my local stores; So I do drink less of it, yes. Also, Merlots seem to have fewer PQRs than other varietals.
August 1, 2007

Sassodoro
QOTD: Sideways didn’t affect my attitude toward Merlot, but it did get me to revisit American Pinot Noir. It was much better than I had remembered from many years before. Unfortunately, it got expensive.

Have fun with Conan tonight. I’ll be watching (well, recording) it.
August 1, 2007

David Noone
I couldn’t be happier for you on your appearance on Conan. I’m still amazed that you try to answer all your e-mails (wow, what a work ethic!!!), and I’m glad you’ve got so much momentum now. Change is good; so I’m happy to do my part, with other Vaniacs, and a little bit of you, and a little bit of Conan, and hopefully a some more press, and a whole lot of wine, in changing the wine world.

Good luck on the show!

QOTD: I like merlot…tell you the truth, I’ve never found any kind of wine that was consistantly bad. I’ve enjoyed them all.
August 1, 2007

Kirk W
I’ve always been a fan of GOOD merlot so Sideways didn’t influence me regarding my drinking habits much. If anything I probably drink less Pinot Noir since Sideways. Lots of Pinot producers raised their prices and I think there is a lot of “fake” tasting pinot out there too. I’m not going to complain about people backing off merlot since the movie cuz there is more of it out there at good prices for me. Corte Riva is one of my favorites along with Keenan and Pride.
August 1, 2007

Palmer
QOTD: I was always a huge Pinot Noir drinker and never liked Merlot for a long time before SIDEWAYS, which I thought was an extremely overrated film. I’m drinking the same wines I always was, just paying a lot more for them now…

Gary – Have fun on Conan tonight and don’t be shocked by his size – he’s like 6′5″-6′6″.
August 1, 2007

Lurkerdog
GVNC, Nice spoof on Conan, good luck on the show. Nice comments regarding Bill Walsh, as a long-time 49er fan, its a sad day. Thanks to him, we had an awesome 15 year run!

QOTD: Thought Sideways was a great movie. Reminded me of some road trips with my college bros. Probably temporarily changed my wine drinking habits. Sought out more Pinots. Now looking for good values in Merlot.
August 1, 2007

Rick "the model" M
Sweet episode. Cant wait to see you tonight on Conan man.
August 1, 2007

Swashbuckling Larry
QOTD – I really hadn’t heard of PN, I don’t think it impacted my Merlot as much as it got me to see what all the fuss over PN was.
- Loved the spoof of Conan’s interview of celeb deal. Best wishes to you on his show.
August 1, 2007

Sonnenuhr
QOTD Sad to admit that Merlot was my entry into red wine and I abondoned it but I’m coming back baby!

Will check out the merlot from Umbria and Charles Creek.

Gary goes mano-a-mano with the Oak Monster and crushes the beast (84!!!)…
Gary – Gary – Gary *\o/*
August 1, 2007

Jameus
Thanks for getting us an episode in spite of having a busy day man. GOOD LUCK on Conan tonight! I’ll try to watch, but will record it just in case I can’t hehe.

QOTD: I never saw that movie and don’t think I will anytime soon either. As for being influenced by Hollywood, naw I’m to focused on expanding my horizons now to get swayed into any particular direction
August 1, 2007

Chris G
Never was a big fan of Merlot (although had an Oyster Bay the other day which I really liked) so Hollywood didn’t make much difference on that front HOWEVER I think it pushed up the price of Pinot Noir which definitely affected me and my bank manager!
August 1, 2007

Rick McQ
Gary:

Rarely drank Merlot both prior too and after “Sideways”. I found a couple I love but most would be forced to have at Weddings or work events which were poor. The movie did get me to try Pinot Noir, which is I started to like, but have since moved away.
August 1, 2007

Raybo1959
I was a Merlot drinker- not a huge fan, but I did consume it. After the movie I did get more into the Pinot’s. I am still a Cab and Shiraz fan, also throw a Zin in there as well, just to make it a 3 way! :-0)
August 1, 2007

David
Merlot ? of the day (yes I’m on day behind) No, H-wood did not effect my view on Merlot. However, it did probably push me a little more towards trying more Pinot. But more importantly,people always ask what type of wine do you drink, which strikes me as a funny question. Why is it that people seem to think you can only possibly like one type of grape? I tend to tell them I like all wines, just depends on the wine itself. Does not matter if it is a Cab, Shiraz, Pinot, or Viogne, as long as it tasts good to me I simply do not care. BTW, love your show, always very intertaining.
August 1, 2007

Deano
Hey Gary,

I have been gone out of the country for my honeymoon for a couple weeks but this is a great episode to come back to. It was good and i will be watching conan tonight to see you on that

QOTD:
I have always loved merlot and after watching sideways i still love it the same if not more and i drink merlot most of the time. Lets bring MERLOT BAAAAAAACK YEEEEEEEP!!!
August 1, 2007

BW
QOTD :

About the same. Always have enjoyed a good Merlot, especially from Washington St – they should
have got some time on today’s show.

Good luck on Conan!
August 1, 2007

MrTC
When I saw Sideways I wasn’t even wine-aware enough to remember or distinguish Merlot or Pinot Noir, so I can honestly say it had no influence on me.

Having said that, I later figured out that many of my favourite wines in the world are from Pomerol – so I obviously have no problem with Merlot (at least in a skilfully made blend).

In any case I don’t buy much traditional single-grap ‘big 3′ (Cab Sauv / Merlot / Pinot Noir) wines, mostly because they often represent poor value and often lack character. Sure there are great ones from Bordeaux and Bourgogne, but then the prices are in line with their quality…
August 1, 2007

Brent
Being from WA state, I never really noticed a big down-tick in Merlot since we make a lot of good Merlots here.
August 1, 2007

Brent
Also, you’ve got to get Conan to wear the Oakmonster shirt. I could see him really getting into that as a ‘phrase’.
August 1, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
In Sideways the merlot issue was a metaphor for Mile’s hypocricy about everything else in his pathetic life. It isn’t a bad example for all of they wine drinkers out there who say I won’t drink this or I won’t drink that without trying it. I had decreased my buying of Merlots about 5 years before the movie came out because the prices weren’t matching the quality and have been drinking Pinot Noir since I first starte drinking wine. To this day, except for white varietals I’m not a strong believer in single grape reds. I like blended wines as the different varietals complement each other and if made right bring out the best. In fact Pinot Noir is one of the few red varietals that doesn’t benefit from blending. Good luck on Conan. I will certainly be watching as long as it doesn’t come on at the same time as the Daily Show or Colbert.
August 1, 2007

rkWineCellar
I usually disagree with Hollywood, so it is no surprise that my merlot consumption increased & my pinot noir consumption decreased! I can’t say it was a direct effect of the movie, but it was a definite response to the “fad”. If it is good, I drink it. If someone endorses it or smashes it, I could care less. (Unless you are Gary.)
For instance, Yellow Tail is “all the rage” in my area. I don’t like the stuff. But for some reason, a lot of “wealthy” people are into this wine & think that you are trash if you drink anything else. I can’t stand winesnobs. What’s the deal?
Good luck on Conan!
August 1, 2007

italianwinelover
Good eps!

QOTD: Never was a very big fan of Merlots, it was a starting point at least 2 years before and got passed that pretty quick. Sideways did influence me to the point that I realized there are soooo many other wines and made me want to go to the wine country. I think its a good blending grape, especially with Cab Franc. Not really interested in revisiting them, too many other wines I enjoy…although the Umbria Merlot peaked my interest and at that price point its not too much of an investment!

Good luck on the show tonite…too bad you can’t hook up a link for us who don’t have a tv to see it!!
August 1, 2007

Jen Loves Wine
Great episode. I’ve been drinking wine for about 8 years and I’ve always liked Merlot. I like Phelps Merlot, but they aren’t going to produce it anymore I have heard where other wineries are going to stop producing Merlot as well. It’s a shame because it’s a great varietal and can make lovely wines.
August 1, 2007

Jayhitek
I was a fan of wine way before Sideways.
August 1, 2007

Karl Laczko
You’ll have to do better than that to make me want a Merlot!

QOTD – I only watched Sideways for the first time last week. I’ve never been a big Merlot fan, other than the right-bank stuff from Bordeaux. I don’t mind it as a minor blend component elsewhere. Pinot I’m OK with, not radical or anything, prefer the New World style. There are many other varieties out there, I’m still doing the rounds before I decide on any favourites.

Good luck tonight on Conan.
August 1, 2007

BK
QOTD: Sideways didnt influence my decisions at all. However, I would imagine that for the people that were already into wine it wouldnt have. That being said, it did have a noticable imprint on the price of Pinot, so somebody out there was watching and being swayed.
I still enjoy merlot as much now as I did before.
Now go rock the crap out of Conan!
August 1, 2007

Autoproxy
QOTD – only way that Sideways affected me is that it is forcing me to buy the same Pinot Noirs I used to buy at higher prices. Damn them for that.
August 1, 2007

PaulT
Gary, did you change your video encoder? Doesn’t look so great, there are some “interlacing” artifacts.

QOTD: Sideways didn’t change my merlot drinking behaviour, but did make me check out some more pinots, since I wasn’t very much into them.
August 1, 2007

Robert R.
Hey there GV! Im a new vayniac and I’m digging it all! Great show and thanks for all your hard work! I’m out here in LA and im turning all my friends on to WLTV!

-Robert
August 1, 2007

Jeff
QOTD: Maybe just a little.
August 1, 2007

winelynn
GV,
Merlot is not one of my favorites , it was that way before Sideways.
Good luck on Conan’s show!
August 1, 2007

Neil
I’m surprised that the Falesco fared so well. I tried it once and didn’t like it at all, granted that was a couple of years ago.

QOTD: The only way that Sideways changed my drinking habits was the price of Pinot shot through the roof. As a result I’m drinking a lot less Pinot and a lot more of everything else. (That Silverado Merlot you tried some episodes ago was really good.)

Good luck on Conan O’Brien.
August 1, 2007

wineaddict
Didn’t get to see Sideways guess I really didn’t miss much from what I here.

QOTD: Merlots are one of my favorites as all reds.

Good luck tonight with Conan, Wifes taping it for me I have to work. DARN IT!

MB
August 1, 2007

Matt the Lurker
QOTD – alright, I admit I started drinking more Pinot Noir. But I also started drinking more Merlot. I guess I just started drinking more after I watched that movie. But to give you credit as well, it was WLTV that got me to start drinking in front of my computer. So, thanks WLTV!
August 1, 2007

AppellationMan
QOTD: Sideways dropped as I was getting into wine and honestly, it has been a struggle to get into Pinot Noir.
August 1, 2007

AppellationMan
QOTD: Sideways dropped as I was getting into wine and honestly, it has been a struggle to get into Pinot Noir. It took some really great Pinots (in my opinion) to get me past the movie.
August 1, 2007

AppellationMan
QOTD: Sideways dropped as I was getting into wine and honestly, it has been a struggle to get into Pinot Noir. It took some really great Pinots (in my opinion) to get me past the movie and into a place where I could respect that evil woman of a wine for who she is.
August 1, 2007

ktw
QOTD:our merlot consumption did not change, we never saw Sideways and we are not easily influenced by Hollywood (except watching you on Conan tonight)
August 1, 2007

Cyd
Honestly, living between the Napa Valley and the Sierra Foothills, the wine trends of dissin’ Merlots and consuming Pinot Noirs was well underway before “Sideways” was even a screenplay. I personally think pretty much all wines can be made well and not well at all. I would drink a merlot if it was well made and I would turn my nose to a poorly made Pinot as well. I can’t stand when some people only drink “Cabs” or only drink “reds”. If a wine is made well, its good no matter what grape and what color.
Anyway…. Good luck tonight! I’ll be watching.
August 1, 2007

Richard Slechta
Sideways… A godsend to my wine experience. Here is a movie that gave popular culture permission to critically analize and even dislike a genre of wine. Merlot, boy there are lots of bad ones out there in my book they had it coming to them. Anyway, after seeing sideways it opened a whole new world. First thing we did, was plan a vacation to the wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley to enjoy the gorgeous countryside and find out for ourselves what this haunting Pinot thing was all about.

How about a Sideways winery Merlot recommendation. Check out Blackjack Ranch’s Merlot Billy Goat Hill 2003. Wow! now that’s something for Jack to knock back.
August 1, 2007

Acousticdoc
I’m still with you Gary! I have just fallen off the wagon as far as lurker status goes.
QOTD: I was new to wine when Sideways came out and definetly avoided Merlot for no good reason.

Can’t wait to see you on Conan.
August 1, 2007

Mike
QOTD:

Hollywood doesn’t affect me…whether its the politics, the wine of choice, or the subject matter, Hollywood’s opinion hardly matters. That being said, I did enjoy Sideways! Its a shame that the Merlot sales went down. The very fact that they did shows how many people didn’t actually pay attention to what the movie was saying. In fact, the character was making the case that Pinot Noir was his favorite wine for such and such reasons, and the metaphor was that Pinot Noir was similar in nature to himself. Anyways….
August 1, 2007

Harold
Sideways affected my Merlot consumption (and I didn’t even see the movie) but it swung me the other way. I had been off Merlot because it had been such the hot wine but after seeing the “Merlot” scene for the 1000th time I said “F it; I’m going back to Merlot.” I’m such a rebel.
August 1, 2007

BobMac
I’ll be honest: I drank less merlot after that movie. I’ll be honest again: I just drank my first merlot in years just week.
August 1, 2007

BigBob
Oak is a winemakers tool used to cover up bad fruit…

Never been big on Merlot unless its Petrus or a QPR from Chile.

It is best used as a blending grape to take the edge of harsh young Cabernet rendering it drinkable earlier.

I hope I can stay up for Conan…
August 1, 2007

David M. Roberts
QOTD: When SIDEWAYS hit the cineplexes, I was just starting to enjoy wine, and I began with pinot noir. My Dad liked merlot, so the film justified my thinking and limited experience at the time: I was a cool guy in the know, while my Dad was a dinosaur.

I soon realized that pinot is an easy way to segue into the more serious reds, and I also began to find many pinots watery, and gravitated more to the merlots, zins and cabs.

So, remember the “F” word when making evaluations based on Hollywood: FICTION!
August 1, 2007

charles
QOTD: It wasn’t sideways it was the glut of merlot in the late 90’s so much crap flooded the market
August 1, 2007

wannaBconnoisseur
I love Merlot!!

Q: I’m drinking more and more merlot these days, wasn’t really influenced by the movie.
August 1, 2007

Jake
Wasn’t a big merlot fan before Sideways or after. Didn’t even see Sideways until a couple of years after it came out. It was alright. I found Paul Giamatti hard to watch in that role. Sad how American decided to switch to Pinot right after that though. Shows you the influence of movies in this culture.

Congrats on the Slate write-up. I checked in to read Slate as usual and there you were. You’re all over the place right now. Mike Steinberger is a good wine writer — he’s taught me alot about wine.
August 1, 2007

james
I haven’t watched one min of this vid but don’t know how you would leave out WA merlot!! I’m bias of course because I live here but WA has been making D-I-N-O-M-I-T-E merlot for years!! I’m going to stop now and watch the vid otherwise I’ll type on FOREVER on how WA doesn’t get the respect it deserves!!
August 1, 2007

CoryS
Oak monster: hahahhhahahha. Well, those guys in Chile can do the oak solid, but agree that many others don’t need to hide behind it.

QOTD – Started as a true Classic Chianti a decade ago and am happy to stay real and not trendy a la ‘Niors.

C to the GV, peace out!
August 1, 2007

Daniel O
Pinot Noir was my favorite red wine long before I saw Sideways. In fact, I didn’t even know I was a pinot noir fan until I found out that red Burgundies are pinot noirs!

I find it amusing that a lot of people are not aware of the irony of Sideways… everyone knows that Miles goes on this rant about Merlot, but only a few realize that Chateau Cheval-Blanc, the wine he drinks at the end and has a great deal of respect for, is an “assemblage” of mostly Cabernet Franc and MERLOT!
August 1, 2007

AndrewB
Hey Gary, QOTD: I was only 21 when Sideways came out and wasn’t all that into wine but my first wine I was into was Chianti only becuase Da Vinci has a Chinati named after him and I was a sucker for that, and then I saw Sideways and got bit by the Pinot bug, but that’s what I know I really like, especially cause I can srink most Pinots (as a red wine) by itself. I also must mention that I had several bad impressions of the few inexpensive merlots I did try. I’m sure you can understand how a wine drinker can be a Sangiovese and Pinot Noir fan above other things. But that’s me. I still havn’t tried a Brunello! They’re too expensive!
August 1, 2007

FredinNYC
QOTD: My taste in wine was not affected by the movie. Besides, the “Merlot” bashing was all a big joke: Giamatti’s prize possession in the movie is a 1961 Cheval Blanc, which he ends up drinking alone in a styrofoam cup at a burger joint. Isn’t Cheval Blanc a Merlot?
August 1, 2007

Peter
comparing bad merlot to the mollydooker line up??? – I guess I will dump my blue eyed boy. I liked the movie, and if Paul G can make it with the blond, there is hope for us all. Looking forward to your TV show tonight!
August 1, 2007

manic
Your palate should be the only factor determining your wine preferences…nuff said!
August 1, 2007

markfarrell22
Gary-

Thanks for the Oak Monster piece. Very helpful.

I was a big merlot fan before Sideways. In fact merlot is what got me into wine. When I saw Sideways if anything it increased my consumption of merlot, maybe because I didn’t really enjoy the flick. The most annoying side effect of the movie were people who obviously knew very little about wine, acting like they were wine snobs because they liked pinot.

I would say my pinot consumption decreased while the merlot consumption increased, just to be different than the lemmings. I suppose that makes me no better though.
August 2, 2007

Tommy Vernieri
Sideways didn’t affect my Merlot drinking but I have warmed up to Pinot Noir. It hasn’t necessarily been a good thing because I usually end up with $10 bottles that aren’t very good, but it’s nice to try different stuff.
August 2, 2007

luvgrapesqeezings
Message for Randy B.: According to David Peppercorn’s book “Wines of Bordeaux” Chateau Cheval Blanc is a blend of 60% cab franc, 37% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 1% Cab sauvignon. I strongly suspect that these percentages change from vintage to vintage and blender to blender (over generations). I’ve never tried Cheval Blanc, but I hear that it many regard it as a cab franc based wine.
Miles affinity/obsession for pinot noir along with his comment “I’m not drinking any F’ning Merlot” did change the market drastically. It’s too bad we did not see Miles relish anything other Pinot and the Fiddlehead Sauv.Blanc, (yea we saw him enjoy some Syrah too). It’s too bad and ironic that the chain of events in the movie did not amplify his comments on how he “likes all varietals, but he does not like how they are minipulated”. Maybe the writer of the screenplay is more to blame because it does not back up what the character says. Suprisingly Miles did not mention the notion of terrior in the movie. I’m sure that if someone poured him some Leonetti from Washington or Petrus from Pomerol he would drink that F’ing merlot. For whatever it’s worth, I think the filmaker did a pretty good job for establishing Miles as a round, psychologically interesting character, but fell short on presenting him as being a well rounded enthusiast that his comments suggests he is.
August 2, 2007

luvgrapesqeezings
Correction: He does mention terrior, but he doesn’t emphasize location, varietal and wine making working together sufficiently.
August 2, 2007

Kopi Luwak
I haven’t read all the comments…Has anyone pointed out that in Sideways the protagonist’s favorite wine was Cheval Blanc? And that is what, like 60% Merlot? The point of the whole “I’m not drinking merlot” thing was about character development. He was a self-loathing knucklhead trying to come to grips with his life. It was A MOVIE. Jeez. Also, I read that Christian Moieux was approached with the script. The writers wanted to use Petrus (100% Merlot… are you getting it?) but Moieux turned them down so they went with Cheval Blanc instead.

Gary, you, with a little bit of Conan, and some bitchen action figures, are changing the wine world.
August 2, 2007

Scottymatt
Sideways movie alright (88 points), Book/Novel by Pickett brilliant (98 points) . Neither changed my wine drinking habits. Have always disliked merlots unless from Bordeaux Right Bank (Pomerol, St- Emilion, ect) or Tuscany (Bolgheri). In my experience the variety lets you down on the finish-drops offâ€¦..unless wine maker adds other ‘depth’ varieties (Cabernet Franc) or worse the Oak Monster— like the last wine you tasted.
Good luck tonight Gary.
August 2, 2007

wtvLurker
holy shit, gary on conan was too funny.
August 2, 2007

Mudd
Hey Gary loved the Conan episode. I expect you’ll give us a full report tomorrow. Kudos!
August 2, 2007

Marc
Math: GaryV + Conan O’Brien = Awesomeness. That was great to watch.
August 2, 2007

Abel
Nice job tonight!!!! Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Looking forward to the report tomorrow……..later today.
August 2, 2007

PattyO
Gary – the palate training with Conan had me crying. Seriously (my husband and my 15 year old were crying too!). Conan spitting the rock was as good as it gets. Good job Gary – you stayed real EVEN in the late night spotlight.
August 2, 2007

steve
Gary,,, Loved Conan on you tonight! I didn’t really get it and i drink wine all the time, but it was hillarious!
August 2, 2007

Swashbuckling Larry
well done. I’m glad to see the wrist band and keeping it fun with Conan, you didn’t tell him to give it a sniffy, sniff though. That Conan is TALL ! Did you chat up Ann Curry to possibly get on the Today show ??
August 2, 2007

TWofPasadena
G-
I’ve never really been a fan Merlot, even before Sideways. I never though it was bad, I just didn’t like the mouthfeel. My wife, on the other hand, has always really enjoyed it. HEY, it’s her birthday on Friday, so perhaps I’ll choose a good Merlot when we go out to dinner that night.:)

It’s 11:12pm in LA and I can’t stay up. I’ll be watching you on my Tivo tomorrow.
August 2, 2007

YoungDave
QOTD: I started drinking wine after Sideways, but absolutely haven’t let it change my consumption (exept for buying less Pinot because it seems IMPOSSIBLE to find one at a decent price these days). I still make it a point to never buy the same bottle twice, and constantly seek out new varietals and wines from regions that I’ve never had wines from before. Without doubt, WLTV has affected my wine consumption (for the absolute better) than anything out of Hollywood.
August 2, 2007

Panoca
Gary, you were spectacular at Conan’s!!
Great moment!
You are universal now!!!!
August 2, 2007

LPapi
Woa Panoca you were quick on that, already sent him an email too… was laughing my ass of!
August 2, 2007

LPapi
Woa Panoca you were quick on that, already sent him an email too… was laughing my ass of!
August 2, 2007

LPapi
Did you guys see that second to last wine with the motor oil for “pallate training”… that would have been a disaster but worth it hahaa
August 2, 2007

dude
I don’t drink wine but I just wanna say that I love your personality and because of you I’m starting to think of getting into it
August 2, 2007

Francois Tremblay
I was so excited to see you on Conan! Wow! Vaynerchuk is on the up and up.
August 2, 2007

Ryan
I don’t have a TiVo and I was working when this aired. Does anyone have a copy or do you think you’ll put the clip on the site, Gary?

Excited to see it!
August 2, 2007

Shaggy D
Just saw the Gary Conan. I fell out of my chair it was so funny.
August 2, 2007

MC Dubs
Argh! I got so wrapped up in the Mpls. bridge issue (being from there originally) that I completely flaked on watching “Late Night.” Anybody post it online?
August 2, 2007

Tom L
Used to be a Merlot drinker, but then I started watching WLTV and wised up!
August 2, 2007

Fishamble
QOTD: Loved *good* Merlot and Pinot before seeing Sideways and equally afterwards.

I liked the film, but what really depressed me was buying Pinot after the film came out – it risked running the gauntlet of the wine store rep. knowingly enquiring if I’d “watched Sideways recently”. Thank god that’s in the past.
August 2, 2007

Dominus
Numero 200! Better late than never.

Good show, I have always liked to quaff the Falesco Merlot. Not bad. Duckhorn is quite good and always keep a bottle around for my Merlot homies.

QOTD: I was a pinot fanatic (member of the Oregon Pinot Noir Club) before Sideways and grinned from ear to ear while watching it. As for Merlot, the movie did not sway me to drink less of it since it did not play a big part of my cellar in the first place.

Congrats on Conan! It was great.
August 2, 2007

Raffi
Great Show. I started drinking Wine with Merlot…ok, after White Zinfandel, but that was high school. We basically only drank Merlot or Shiraz at home. Until WLTV that is. Thanks Gary for that.

Just watched the Conan show after I recorded it. That was great. Dueling cigar and dirt chewing!
August 2, 2007

wey
Sideways didnt change my view on Merlot. I liked it, and still do. I think Merlot can bring some realllly interesting wines to the table.

Sideways did change my pinot perception. Since then, I tried some more Pinots.
August 2, 2007

Chris Brookhouser
Gary-

Great Show….QOTD: Started drinking wine when the show came out…originally liked pinot noir a lot more. Don’t drink as much now.

You did a show with KanonKop Pinotage 2004….I found some 2000 bottles, they were awesome….curious, what is your thoughts on Pinotage. Can you explain this grape varietal for a rookie wine enthusiast
August 2, 2007

Steve
It’s not that Merlot’s bad … it’s just that it’s extremely, well, average. It’s kinda like a vinyl-sided McMansion with off-the-shelf stainless steel appliances: it’s suitable/adequate, predictable, and rather boring
August 2, 2007

Baco
Stones and cigars!!. Awesome show on Conan, It was the bes guest, couldn’t stop laughing, I got into watching winelibrary and I don’t even like wine
August 2, 2007

Lb in KS
Hollywood did in fact influence me…. I have yet to drink a pinot noir that I truly do like….but that’s just me, always open to suggestions.
Didn’t get to see the Conan/Vay~ner~chuk show last night, when is somebody gonna post that thing on youtube so I can watch.
August 2, 2007

wayno da wino
Yo Gary !!
You done brought da Merlot Thunder! I agree
wit you about Parker, I’ve drank many wines
scored high (90 & up) by Parker that were
RAAAAAAUUNCHEEEEEEEE.

QOTD: Never was a great merlot fan, Sideways
or not.
August 2, 2007

Jon B Lodi
Good job on Conan last night!

Next time you get this opportunity, make sure you taste some wine you know is going to have the oak monster or something interesting, so you can share with that larger audience what we get to see every day – your amazing passion and no-holds-barred unbiased entertaining comments.

QOTD: I’m pissed at Sideways, because it jacked up the Pinot prices. On the other hand, I am grateful to Sideways for increasing tourism to Lodi wineries. It didn’t affect my feelings on Merlot. Just like other wines, if it’s well-made, then I like it. If it’s wimpy, I don’t.
August 2, 2007

Ian Gibson
You made Conan eat dirt!!! You’re the man Gary! Great job.
August 2, 2007

Ray
Gary on Conan
http://www.veoh.com/videos/v8982062AtdXHQd?searchId=3215542127282638389&rank=4
August 2, 2007

TagWorld Brian
Gary, great Conan appearance! You almost had Conan sucking on your sweaty socks. But I guess that would have been too Brokeback, even for him. Next stop: SportsCenter!
August 2, 2007

jshubeck
Nice job on Conan last night. Not sure why Ann Curry’s broken nose was so hilarious to him yet he deadpanned your opening lines. But you stayed on message and he loosened up; gulping the first wine, eating the rock, etc… I look forward to the next one.
August 2, 2007

Mark
Seriously Gary awesome job on Conan. The taste-off you had with him was brutal. Im pretty sure you won.
August 2, 2007

SoCal
QOTD: I did not drink a lot of merlot at that time…I was as you say seduced by the Oak Monster Cabs from Cali…so I did not impact me per say but it did put a negative spin on things…..now I find my self liking many merlot based wines from France, South Africa, and Italy…but no cali….
August 2, 2007

stewart l
You are trying to be like Justin Timberlake and “bringing Merlot back”. I was never much of a fan of Merlot. Too many wineries make poor quality efforts, thus I rarely drink them.
August 2, 2007

mike volker
Yo Gary,

It wasn’t that long ago you were touting us the Charles Creek “Miradero” merlot. How soon we forget!

Best,

Mike
August 2, 2007

Tim Hayes
Good episode…I like the fact that you are trying to “bring Merlot back”. I do enjoy drinking Merlot & thanks for the reminder!
August 2, 2007

mcj
QOTD: I always thought merlot was alright, but I much preferred pinot myself. I don’t go for pinot much these days, as it’s too pricey. Curse you, Sideways!
August 2, 2007

nyc621
I didn’t like merlot well before sideways came out. I thought there was always too much oak in it (butter-gag), so I avoided it like the plague. However, I have started to taste and enjoy it. It’s not the first red wine I’ll go to, but I can at least appreciate it and will buy a bottle or two here and there.
August 2, 2007

Andy
Still love the Merlot G —– Really like The St Emillon Blends
from everywhere Like Cali & Bordeux
August 2, 2007

madange
QOTD: Good wine is good wine regardless of the varietal. I like Pinot Noir, but it’s difficult to find reasonable QPR’s these days. Sideways did a number on Merlot, but now you can often get better value than with an equivalent tier Cab. Gary, I am a longtime lurker that has to come out by telling you that Merlot from Washington State is often times more structured, complex, and deep than Washington Cab and frankly superior to California Merlot. I know I’m shooting myself in the foot here, but you need to seek out Washington Merlot…there are a myriad of outstanding wines for reasonable prices on the market. Long live the oft maligned Merlot!
August 2, 2007

Karl B
QOTD – Sideways had no impact on me because I don’t like Merlot and I don’t like Pinot Noir! I am a Cab man and proud of it!! I will pay for great Napa Cab and great Bordeaux, but I also enjoy South American Cabs. Ribera Del Duero is fantastic as well. (Check my purchases at the store….)

I haven’t written in for quite some time Gary, do you still love this Vayniac?? I have not sought out “Lurker” status.

I hope Conan went well.

Karl B.
August 2, 2007

GottaGoDrink
QOTD- Before Sideways, I figured out that my wife loves Merlot, particularly St-Emilion, so I have always sought out Merlot based wines to keep her happy, very happy. Sideways has had absolutely zero impact on my drinking/buying. I have bought three new Merlots in the last month, one from WA, one from Bordeaux, and one Italy. She likes them more than I, but I never question her palate, ‘cuz she knows what she likes. Cheers and great show GV!
August 2, 2007

elliottf
QOTD – yes, but it was more for my wife than me. I never really liked merlot to begin with.
August 2, 2007

C-Dubya
This guy cracks me up… “That was for the Vayniacks who are no longer with us” classic.
August 3, 2007

vibemore
I can’t say that “Sideways” changed me too much. Wait, it made me laugh like crazy. And now that I think about it, I want to say that I think Sideways gets a bad-rap for the Merlot bashing (which it did). But ultimately weren’t they just expressing their own opinions too. We just get pissed off because they have the biggest pulpit to preach from. The film really did get me more interested in wine. And Pinot Noir is a finicky group. True. Kudos to the farmers who grow it.

That being said, I just discovered Pomerol thanks to WLTV and my perspective on Merlot has been blown wide open. Chateau Franc Mailet. Chateau Le Gay. Bring it on.

Keep it rolling GV. Nice Conan bit.
August 3, 2007

SP
QOTD- Sideways did not affect my wine drinking, I believe I was just getting into wine then and only drinking what we had at the grocery market store I worked at.
August 3, 2007

LT
God I love justin timberlake…and Lion-O.
August 3, 2007

Nico
QOTD: When _Sideways_ happened, I honestly hadn’t heard of Pinot Noir, so it was more of an intro to Pinot for me than a bashing of merlot.

-Nico
August 3, 2007

Mark K_NJ
Whew…took me a few days but I finally saw this episode. Thanks for it, Gary. When I first started drinking wine, in the mid-’90s, I was told “Merlot is like a blue blazer. Goes with anything (food-wise).” So that’s all I drank. Dipped my toe in some other varietals but was afraid to make more of a committment. So when Sideways came out, yes, I did turn off the Merlot spigot. I tasted many, many more wines, so in that respect the movie was a good thing.

It’s only that one line that Miles says that really killed Merlots. Ironically, I just finished reading the book and that line isn’t mentioned (though Miles’ love of pinots does come through). When I head the wine store today, maybe I’ll pick up a bottle of Merlot and it give it a whirl this weekend.
August 3, 2007

Mark K_NJ
Whew…took me a few days but I finally saw this episode. Thanks for it, Gary.

QOTD: When I first started drinking wine, in the mid-’90s, I was told “Merlot is like a blue blazer. Goes with anything (food-wise).” So that’s all I drank. Dipped my toe in some other varietals but was afraid to make more of a committment. So when Sideways came out, yes, I did turn off the Merlot spigot. I tasted many, many more wines, so in that respect the movie was a good thing.

It’s only that one line that Miles says that really killed Merlots. Ironically, I just finished reading the book and that line isn’t mentioned (though Miles’ love of pinots does come through). When I head the wine store today, maybe I’ll pick up a bottle of Merlot and it give it a whirl this weekend.
August 4, 2007

thabeav
I love the new, “manly” sniffy sniff. Much better.
August 5, 2007

Andrea
I begrudgingly got into wine while traveling in southern Africa. I had always thought I hated wine because my parents only drank Merlot and I didn’t like it. Then I discovered some tasty South African wines, which were not Merlot, and decided to become the wino my parents will never be. A couple of years later Sideways merely confirmed my suscipicions. Give me reds one way or the other… Cab or Pinot. Although Sagelands in the Walla Walla Valley does make a nice Merlot.
August 6, 2007

Val
Hi Gary

What did you smoke? By the way I love your show. How about a show about Bordeaux right bankÂ´s merlots (petrus, cheval blanc….)?
August 8, 2007

JKay
Another awesome episode …
Sideways made me wonder about the wonder … of Pinot. I still do. My exploration continues. But, no, I didn’t get “turned-off” about Merlots. I welcome the occasion to have a worthy merlot — in between my love for cabs.

I’d like to know the personality differences between Silver Oak and Dominus.
August 10, 2007

lee
gary,

at the time of the movie i was feeling what payne was feeling. i was tired of people leaning on a grape as a crutch. i was bartending at the time and had for some time been trying to get guests to try things other than merlot. my favorite was getting a merlot drinker on an aglianico del vulture. i used the movie as a way to talk to people about grape farming and the choice that is made to get 3 tons per acre or 20 ala rabbit ridge. thats where i was when the movie came out. this is a sociologists wet dream.
September 30, 2007

pats
A couple of great Merlot’s are Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval 1998-99. Andrew Will by many people makes the best merlot in America and it’s made on a island in Washington State near Seattle. Another Andrew Will merlot of Seven Hills. A good California merlot is Barnett Spring Mountain District. The California merlot wines can be sweeter than wines from any where else where as the merlot’s from France are more earthy with “dirt” as some people say. Washington State merlot seems to be a good balance and the best merlot in America comes out of Washington State now in my oppinion. A good French merlot is Christian Moueix merlot owner of the world famous ChÃ¢teau PÃ©trus. Year after year, his wines define Merlot. Soft and round with aromas of raspberry, cedar and blueberry, this wine delivers ripe fruit, great balance and a medium long finish. This merlot comes from the Pomerol area in Bordeaux.
April 20, 2008

Oakmon's BF
There you go again dissinâ€™ the Oakmon. Iâ€™m doing a name change here. Iâ€™m the commenter formerly known as Grif. Point one off the top, my BF knows heâ€™s a monster. Heâ€™d never deny it. But the term is not today. Itâ€™s not really politically correct. Think â€œPokemonâ€ and â€œDigimonâ€. Heâ€™d never tell you this himself.
I love the show. Iâ€™ve watched every moment of every show from episode 1 thru 285. Iâ€™m up to August â€™07. Football seasonâ€™s about to start. I feel bad because I know something August â€™07 Gary doesnâ€™t know, and that is that the Jets didnâ€™t have such a great year in â€™07. Iâ€™m an Eagles fan, we didnâ€™t have a great year either.
I loved your comments about oak in this episode. I know my pallet is underdeveloped. In time Iâ€™ll probably appreciate more flavors and Iâ€™ll be ready to back away from the oak but right now I really like it.
April 21, 2008

Oakmon's BF
I forgot to answer the question of the day. I havenâ€™t been a continuous wine guy. I liked Pinot Noir in the mid-â€˜80s. I remember enjoying 1982 Rodney Strong Pinot. I remember the price being comparable to the Cabs I was buying then. I bought the 2006 RS Pinot and found the price was a lot higher than the Cabs Iâ€™m buying. Are you telling me this is because of a movie? I had my first Merlot ever just this year. You kind of act like everybody has seen this movie. It seems unlikely to me. I never even heard of it except for watching WLTV.
July 31, 2008

Dessert Wine Nerd
Good episode. Even though it was only 2 for 4, its nice to see (obviously) that Hollywood got it wrong. I do so enjoy the flavors a $10 or so bottle of merlot brings to a sauce. I admit to pouring in glasses of it when I make spaghetti sauce. Always better the second night, too. QOTD: Id never buy Hollywood trying to sell me something like that. Its all about my taste buds.
July 14, 2009

Phredd
Bummer about the Souverain. Such a nice label.

QOTD: I wasn’t a huge merlot drinker before Sideways, and the movie didn’t affect my palate much. All the movie did was raise the price of pinot noir, which was sad.
September 24, 2009

ulu ulu ulu ulu
I wasn’t drinking wine when I first saw Sideways. When I did start, I definitely went towards the pinot automatically to see what was what.