Thank you to Markham Vineyards for providing me with a free bottle of wine to taste for an honest and unbiased review.
I could not resist the wine pun above, using one of the most memorable movie quotes of the 90’s as inspiration. The phrase “You had me at hello”, from the movie Jerry Maguire has become iconic. Hang on there’s another big movie reference coming in 5 reasons you had me at merlot this month and for Wine Wednesday.
Movie Lines And Merlot This Month
That movie is Sideways. We are approaching its 20th anniversary and since October is National Merlot Month I could not resist bringing the two together.
The story of Sideways surrounds a California wine country road trip by two middle aged, dysfunctional men. The quote in this film that was heard round the world and in wine circles was from lead character Miles. It was, “I’m not drinking any F-ing Merlot.” You often hear it shortened to “No F-ing Merlot!”
Miles then waxes on about his love of pinot noir. That movie wrecked havoc on California merlot. Farmers began puliing up merlot vines as demand went down. Other things were involved in the grapes decline in popularity, but the movie was the spear in the merlot’s side.
It was unfortunate because some of the best wines in the world are merlot based.
Merlot This Month Stars
The folks at Markham Vineyards in Napa have specialized in merlot for more than four decades. They will argue that regardless of Sideways, the varietal never truly went out of style, and that it is high time for wine lovers to embrace Merlot again.
In honor of the 20th Anniversary of Sideways and in hopes of reminding consumers what a beautiful wine merlot can make, longtime Markham winemaker Kimberlee Nicholls has crafted a special edition “Right Side” Merlot. The right bank of Bordeaux, France is legendary for its merlot.
In a great twist, Sideways ends with Miles swooning over a beloved bottle of 1961 Chateau Cheval Blanc. It is from the right bank of Bordeaux. It is merlot. So he drank F-ing merlot afterall.
Here Are 5 Reasons You Had Me At Merlot This Month
