Much Maligned Merlot

Drinking wonderful wine is not about the money you spend. It, as in Ashley’s Big Secret (anything for a plug), is about being clever and realizing that the most important test of a great wine, or great jewelry, is whether you like it or not, not whether some critic says it is great, except for me, of course.

Let’s talk about Merlot. You probably like Merlot. You were probably insulted in the movie “Sideways” when the co-star screamed that he wouldn’t be forced to drink Merlot no matter how great the girls serving it looked.

Well, let’s talk about Merlot. First, the main grape variety used in the most expensive wine from France is, you guessed it, Merlot. The wine is called Petrus and if you are having some please give me a call. However, before you start inviting your friends over to taste this wonderful Merlot, you should know that it could cost well over $1,000 a bottle.

So, there you are, you like Merlot. I like Merlot and the guy in the movie is just being dumb.

In terms of great Merlots, my favorites are Paloma and Duckhorn. Both are a bit pricey. However, I’ll bet that you can pick out a great Merlot just by going to your local wine store and buying a Merlot in the $8 to $15 range. Buy a couple of different bottles and try each with a friend or two. Next, write me an e-mail telling me what you liked best. I can be reached at wino@ashleysbigsecret.com.

In terms of what to wear during your Merlot tasting, Ashley suggests the Silver Faux Omega Set and a Shiny Silver Cuff. Simplistic and very classy.

Lastly, don’t forget to include me if you decide that you must taste Petrus.

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