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Merlove DVD Released, Celebrated With Merlot Tasting

Filed under: Wine


When Miles screamed about not drinking any "#$%@ing Merlot" in the movie Sideways, it started a push toward Pinot Noir and the beginning of California Merlot's fight for its reputation. The battle still continues and Producer/Director Rudolf N. McClain has just released the DVD of his film Merlove. On the cover is a quote from Wine Spectator that says simply: "Take this, Miles."

"Merlove is a documentary I wanted to make in response to the movie Sideways," explains McClain. The movie was filmed in the Napa Valley, Washington State and Bordeaux and combines documentary style filmmaking with an animation subplot centered on a bottle of Merlot wine named "Merlove" which must find a way to fill itself with love when aimlessly tossed into the ocean of mediocre Merlot wine. The DVD contains new animated sequences, music, digital mastering and a director's commentary. The movie Merlove premiered on June 27, 2008 and has been screened at film festivals around the world.

McClain will be on hand to sign copies in the tasting room at V. Sattui Winery on November 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.. The winery is located at 1111 White Lane off Highway 29 just south of St. Helena. The DVD sells for $24.99. At the event you can show your support for Merlot by indulging in a free tasting of the winery's two Merlots, the 2006 Henry Ranch (Carneros appellation) and 2006 Napa Valley.

U.S. Wine Drinking Habits Indicate California Love

Filed under: Wine

Decanter has the results of two interesting studies that explore the choices U.S. consumers make regarding wine. In terms of domestic consumption, California is king. Two out of every three bottles sold in the U.S. are from California.  The Supreme Court decision to permit wineries to sell directly to consumers and the "Sideways" effect are believed to have contributed to the rise in sales. "Premium" wines, which are considered to be those over $7 were two thirds of the sales. Another market research study from Chicago-based Information Resources Inc (IRI) reports good news for wines from Europe and New Zealand. The study, called The 2005 Table Wine Top 30 Brand Performers, found that European table wines grew 9.4% last year . The sales of Spanish table wines was up 23.1% and German wines are up 18.9%. The really good news is for New Zealand wine producers. Their sales were up 190.5%.

Merlot Fights Back

Filed under: Wine

As I've said before, the Sideways merlot bashing was an unfair swipe at a perfectly decent grape. Choose your wine well and merlot can be a delightful experinece. Swanson Vineyards isn't going to let people kick merlot around anymore. They are taking their merlot seminar on the road this spring to educate the trade and the media on a grape they say has been misunderstood and maligned. Their Merlot Fights Back website has information on why the wine is important including the fact that the ’61 Cheval Blanc Miles opened on his birthday in Sideways is a 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The Merlot Fights Back seminar features two flights of merlot. One from 2002 merlots from around the world, and one on just merlots from Northern California. Lastly they offer a flight of Swanson barrel samples from 2004 that show off the differences between the various treatments of the grape. Swanson's 2002 Merlot sells for $32 for those of us not in a city where the seminar is being held.


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