Is merlot really passe??

[Innkeeper]

The most important rule, repeat the most important rule is is you like it, that is all that matters. Merlot has played a very important role in the development of wine drinkers on this continent. After the 60 Minutes segement on the "French Paradox" several years ago, people who had been drinking white wine or no wine rushed out to get some red wine. Since the most prevelent red wine at the time was Cabernet Sauvignon made in what you might call an uncompromising style, many of these folks panicked and said "ugh." Along come Merlot to the rescue. For a while restaurants could only get any Merlot on tight allocation.

Since then the world has been flooded with wonderful red wines from the South of France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Australia, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa. The choice, now, is almost endless.

Where does Merlot fit into all this? Well some of them fit in just fine. These include the traditional ones from the East Bank of the Garronne, those from the Northeast Corner of Italy, and some selected ones from the New World including California, Washington State, and Australia.

However, the vast sea of Merlot out there right now is just plums or plums and oak, and as soft as oatmeal.