We gave it a shot in this episode, and we are happy to say that you might want to try Merlot again if it’s been a while. We found one wine in particular that we think is excellent - and all of the wines in this episode are highly rated by a variety of wine critics and under $20.
Did you know that Merlot was almost wiped out in France? It’s true! We cover it in this podcast, but in the mid-1970’s it was conceivable that Merlot would never be planted again. But then in 1990, Chateau Petrus got a 100 score from Wine Spectator - a wine made from 100% Merlot - and the rebirth of Merlot was on. Until Paul Giamatti’s famous words in the movie Sideways made everything go, well, Sideways for Merlot.
But maybe we were too harsh on Merlot?!?
Wines reviewed in this episode: 2016 Ronan by Clinet, 2018 Santa Ema Reserva Merlot, and 2019 Chateau Mayne-Vieil Cuvée Alienor,
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