THE SHOW
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Jack : If they want to drink Merlot, we’re drinking Merlot.
Miles Raymond : No, if anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I am NOT drinking any f#*king Merlot!
Sideways
Somewhere on this website is the famous Merlot scene from the film Sideways, spoken with outrage and indignation by the sublime Paul Giamatti as Miles Raymond, failed writer and wine snob.
The film came out in 2004 and the sales of Merlot dropped like a stone. In some markets it has never really recovered.
(Director and Writer Alexander Payne starts the show)
Alexander Payne – Director of Sideways
I had this nagging question hanging over me for a while now.
Is BC Merlot being taken for granted? Has it lost its luster and ranking to the wine fan?
The most planted grape in BC is Merlot but, except for Vancouver Sun wine writer Tony Gismondi, I’m not seeing a lot articles or headlines on BC Merlot.
merlot-on-the-vine
In the next hour you’ll hear from many of BC’s Best Merlot winemakers. Many of the questions are the same…
Is Merlot being taken for granted?
What was the effect of Sideways?
What makes BC Merlot outstanding?
When did you fall in love with this grape?
Have we all changed our wine tastes?
Many of the questions were the same ..but the answers were all wildly different.
Our 12 Merlot guests include
Alexander Payne – Screenwriter and Director of Sideways https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0668247/
Rhys Pender – Master of Wine http://www.wineplus.ca/
Mary McDermott – Winemaker at Township 7 https://www.township7.com/
Mike Raffan – GM at Township 7 https://www.township7.com/
Phil McGahan – Winemaker at Checkmate Wines. (Winner: 2017 Judgement of BC) https://www.checkmatewinery.com/
Jeff Harder – Co-Owner Ex Nihilo https://exnihilovineyards.com/
Peter Lindenlaub – Wagner Family Wines (Napa) http://www.wagnerfamilyofwine.com/
Kane Morgan – Co-Owner Rust Wine https://www.rustwine.com/
Joseph Luckhurst – Managing Partner Road 13 http://road13vineyards.com/
Larry Gerelus – Co-Owner Stags Hollow (OK Falls) https://stagshollowwinery.com/
Rob Summers – Senior Winemaker at Hester Creek http://hestercreek.com/
Michael Bartier – Co-owner and Winemaker at Bartier Bros http://www.bartierbros.com/
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- Joe Luckhurst
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlot
FYI – International Merlot Day is Nov 7th
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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Dilettante – the new wine from Sommelier of the Year Shane Taylor wine director at Cin Cin.
Not just any wine. It’s the first from Okanagan Crush Pad’s Garnet Valley Pinot Noir. It also raises funds for BC Hospitality Fund.
Interviews with Christine Coletta Co-Owner of Okanagan Crush Pad and 2018 winner of Founders Award.
Fall Wines