Vin De Pays Merlot

[Innkeeper]

Since we've kicked the subject of Vin De Pays around before, the antennae shot up when mother approached with one while we were filling out a mixed case down in Fall River, MA. It was a Domaine Des Fontanelles, Merlot, Vin De Pays D'Oc, 1998. Reading the bottle carefully, it claimed to be 100% Merlot, and estate bottled. Of course that means the it could have been grown and/or made elsewhere.

It cost $5.52 with the 15% discount on the mixed case, and no tax. No TAX! Didn't you know; there's no tax on wine in Taxachusetts. Those Irish really have clout. Here in Maine the wholesalers pay a tax on each bottle they bring in, pass in on to the retailer, and then to the consumer who pays another tax and a $.15 deposit on the bottle. Eyes get glazy when it comes to compounding (taxes on taxes), but with all else equal (same profit in store, etc) a $10.00 bottle of wine costs about $1.50 plus the desposit more in Maine than in Massachusetts. It is beautiful here though.

Anyway, we tried the Merlot last night. It was surprizingly good. Had a lot of varietal character. Actually tasted like Merlot. Can't say the same for similiarly priced Merlots from Italy, Eastern Europe, and Chile. It was a little scratchy on the finish (in my opinion; mother defers). Then again it was a '98. Should you lay down a $5.00 bottle of wine for a year or two? I don't think so. Definitely do recommend this one as a top value wine.

[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 02-19-2000).]