Merlot

Merlot (pronounced “mer-loh”) is a red wine that producers sometimes make into a rosé as well. The Merlot grape has a violet-grey colored skin with white flesh and is well-known for being a food-friendly wine. It might have been slated to become America’s darling were it not for the release of the movie Sideways. If you recall, one of the main characters, Miles, played by Paul Giamatti, speaks passionately of Pinot noir and poo-poos Merlot in the film. Immediately upon the film’s release, Pinot noir popularity soared and Merlot’s favor diminished. As the movie becomes a distant memory, wine drinkers are slowly returning to Merlot.