Jack: “If they want to drink Merlot, we’re drinking Merlot.”
Miles Raymond: “No, if anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I am NOT drinking any %*%# Merlot!”
The above line is from one of my very favorite movies, “Sideways”. If you love wine and you haven’t seen this movie, you really should rent it. It’s a fun evening of voyeuristic wine tasting.
According to wine experts, Miles Raymond’s love for Pinot Noir and hatred for Merlot actually caused a shift in the buying habits of wine drinkers! What a bunch of sheep we all are!!!
I actually really love Merlot no matter how Miles feels about it. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of flat, uninteresting Merlot out there, but there is also a lot of complex lovely Merlot out there. In my opinion, Merlot is kind of a gateway drug to Cabernet Sauvignon. Some people, however, stay with Merlot and never move on. Some, like me, love both!
So because I am on a never ending quest to make your lives more interesting, I tasted a bunch of inexpensive Merlots in an effort to find a “Starter Merlot” that you could try without taking out a second mortgage on your house. You may have a more advanced palate than mine, actually it’s highly likely that you have a more advanced palate than mine, and so you may agree with Miles about Merlot. But maybe you’ll love it! Maybe this wine will start a life long love affair with Merlot and you will have me to thank! That would make all the wine drinking I’ve done on your behalf worth it. So, if you are so inclined, give this wine a swirl in your class. It’s nice for the price and would pair wonderfully with a steak or beef stew or even a burger. If you try it, let me know what you think!!!
xxoo,
RMW
Riet says
February 15, 2012 at 1:31 pmWhat a great post. I love Merlot and I just poured myself a glass before ging to sleep. Honestly. LOL
I want to thank you again for that great Hoodie. I love it and it is nice and warm. I did already send you a thank you letter yesterday.GReat M letter
Rocky Mountain Woman says
February 15, 2012 at 1:43 pmHi Riet,
I am so pleased that you like the hoodie! I actually think Robert Redford picked it out personally!!lol…
xxoo,
RMW
Donna Heber says
February 15, 2012 at 1:39 pmWonderful post for our letter this week. A nice smooth “easy drinking” wine. Do you also like Cabernet Sauvignon?
Rocky Mountain Woman says
February 15, 2012 at 1:42 pmHi Donna:
I do like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay…well you get the picture!
xxoo,
RMW
Andy says
February 15, 2012 at 3:03 pmHello.
I haven’t got a clue when it comes to Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or any wine for that matter…I rarely drink alcohol. When I do feel like indulging, a tipple of Baileys…and I mean a tipple…is usually my choice.
Happy quaffing! LOL
Thanks for sharing
Midnight Rainbow
Mary says
February 15, 2012 at 2:24 pmWe are equal opportunity wine drinkers at our house! We usually drink a blended red unless we’re enjoying a steak and then it’s a Cab but we don’t turn our nose up at any wine 🙂
Teresa says
February 15, 2012 at 3:23 pmI do appreciate all the wine you drink on my behalf. I know it’s a hardship, but I am glad you make the effort.
Rocky Mountain Woman says
February 15, 2012 at 3:24 pmThanks Teresa! It’s nice to be appreciated….
heavy sigh…
Vicki says
February 15, 2012 at 5:35 pmEven the smell of wine (or any kinda booze) gives me a buzz….so I can’t help out in this area. But other family members like it, I’ll have to ask them:)
JDaniel's Mom says
February 15, 2012 at 6:00 pmI always feel like I’m in a wine class when I stop to visit. I am learning a lot.
Anne says
February 15, 2012 at 8:54 pmI like your wine post! The variety of wine available is amazing! I found a nice red table wine called “Love Your Goat”. It is made by a small winery in upstate New York. All the wine they make has the coolest labels too! I like a reasonable prices bottle of wine! Thanks for the great share! Enjoy your weekend!
Emille says
February 15, 2012 at 9:42 pmDon’t know enough about Merlot – so I’m going on your recommendation:)
Raw Thoughts and Feelings says
February 16, 2012 at 2:59 amYou and my oldest son should get together for a wine tasting fest. He works as a sommelier on the pricess cruise line and he has to constantly tasting different wine to make recommendation.
I’m on the other hand, can’t even a drip..Alcohol and I don’t get along!
Arkansas Patit says
February 16, 2012 at 5:22 amYour wine posts always make me wish I could drink the lovely grape. Maybe in my next life.
Leovi says
February 16, 2012 at 2:06 pmI love the Merlot, the truth is that I like good wine.
LOLA says
February 16, 2012 at 2:37 pmWe’ll drink to Merlot too!
Lovely post!
Betty says
February 16, 2012 at 2:59 pmThank you so much for drinking the Merlot for us. I know nothing about wine, but I’m taking notes on this Alphabe-Thursday journey.
Splendid Little Stars says
February 16, 2012 at 8:32 pmThank you so much for doing all that wine tasting just for us! How very kind of you!
I agree that the movie gave Merlot a bad rap. There ARE good Merlots! just like every other wine variety–good, bad, and everything in between.
I’ve had Columbia Crest, but probably not their Merlot. i see you have Louis M Martini cab sauv in another post. I do like that.
May I say here that my daughter is a wine rep for a distributor? She can get us some lovely wines at her cost, so we’ve tried wines that may not be available everywhere.
Jenny Matlock says
February 16, 2012 at 11:09 pmI have a small suspicion that you had a Marvelous time doing your homework for the letter “M”, as in Merlot… (((winkwink)))
Mr. Jenny Might enjoy this so I am Making a Mental note to get some of this for him…
Thanks for linking!
Magnificent post,
A+
Richard says
February 16, 2012 at 10:29 pmI love to have wine, but it’s not easy to get one in Oman, it’s forbidden to sell it in stores, only in the airport’s duty free shop. Or in accredited hotels, but you have to drink it right there. Anyways, drink one for me if you don’t mind (lol)… Thanks for sharing!
Judie McEwen says
February 17, 2012 at 1:02 pmI simply cannot make my spaghetti sauce without merlot! A glass for me to drink, and a cup for the sauce. It adds such a rich flavor!
Maria@PersonalizedSketches says
February 22, 2012 at 2:23 pmOh dear…here I am late again! I am still trying to catch up on some of my M posts…and here it is already time for N! I totally defer to your knowledge on wines and such :o) Thank you so much for popping over!
Blessings & Aloha!