Is merlot really passe??

[wondersofwine]

I think the waiter was terribly inappropriate to substitute his own judgment for that of the patron who suggested Merlot. I love Pinot Noir but if the guy was having steak or prime rib or such, Merlot would probably be a better choice than Pinot Noir.
On several occasions recently I have refused a substitute wine that the restaurant staff poured when the requested wine was not available. They made the assumption that one French Chardonnay will do as well as another or one Pinot Noir will do as well as another without asking me if the substitution was acceptable.