EP 285 Bringing Merlot Back

July 31, 2007

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

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

Latest Comment:

John_Kenneth_J2010-04-26 02:47:00

qotd I like the movie, but stuff like that never has an effect on what I want to try. I'm not a big merlot drinker because there are so many other varietals out there to try and I wanna try everyone. Plus when you hang out with fellow wino's or go to tastings etc. you end up getting to try a lot of merlot's anyway by default.

Tags: merlot, red wines, review, Video, wine

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JC

I think Pinot sucks! Hollywood can go … friggin socialists!
JC

I think Pinot sucks! Hollywood can go … friggin socialists!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jeffrey

What, no love for Long Island Merlot today? 😉
Jeffrey

What, no love for Long Island Merlot today? 😉
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
wolfie

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

qotd: i wasn’t into wine the first time i saw the movie, so no impact at the time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ecola

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

Good luck on Conan, I e-mail 20 or so people to check it out. GV blowin up!
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!
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. : )
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!
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. : )
GrapeStuff (formerly known as

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!
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!
NathanN

The show ROCKED!

QOTD: I drink twice as much merlot as I do Pinot Noir
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!