Is merlot really passe??

[Capocheny]

Hi Dandy-Don,

Frankly, wines (like many commodities) have a maturation cycle. For example, look at men's ties; at one time, wide ties were in, now they're out. Thin ties came in to replace them and, subsequently, went out of vogue. Now, ties of middle width are in style.

And, remember, Chardonnays were all the rave a few years ago (especially big, overly oaked Chards!) Now, pinot gries and sauvignon blancs, in general, are in favor and Chards are frowned on (even those non-oaked ones.) [This is a generalization, of course! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]]

But, like the ties in my example above... guess what? They come in for awhile, go out for awhile... only to return once again. Sort of like Freddie Kreuger! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Yes, merlots are not "in vogue" at the moment (especially since the movie, "Sideways") but I think that people will always consume it... just like Chardonnay.

And, one last thing... remember that scene in the movie, "Sideways" where the wine geek says he'd never drink merlot? Well, it seems to me that his favorite bottle of wine was a 61 Cheval Blanc, which, incidentally, contains a high percentage of merlot! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img] [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

WOW,

Well put.. I'm in full agreement with your comment about the waiter. Frankly, for a 5-Star restaurant, he sounds like he wasn't all that well-versed in the "art of fine wines." I would have thought that a Bordeaux, especially a 10-year old Bordeaux, would have been decanted... or, at least, he would have asked if the diners wanted to have it decanted.) And, sediments, although unsightly, do not harm the wine nor does it tend to alter the taste of that wine.

And, you're quite correct, a Merlot would have gone much better with a piece of prime rib or steak (if that's what his main course was.) Now, if the timing would have been around Thanksgiving and his main course was turkey... [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Lastly, I also agree that not all pinots are the same. Nor, are all cabs the same.... or merlots for that matter. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Roberto,

"... we sell just one Merlot and it is really good but it is an Ice Wine from British Colombia and is $51 for a 375ml bottle."

I'm a bit confused by your statement. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Cheers