Why does the main charcter in Sideways dislike merlot?

Question

Is there something wrong with merlot or do wine experts have something against merlot? Is it a bad grape, is it made from grape skins, is it cheap to make? Or did I just read too much into it and perhaps the character's wife liked merlot.

Answer 1

Actually, the fact that Miles won't drink Merlot is key to understanding his character and the personal epiphany that turns his life around in the end.

He won't drink Merlot because he feels that too many producers make mediocre Merlot. Although the grape is capable of producing some of the worlds most profound wines, the majority of the mid priced examples on the market are quite simple and forgettable. Only his prized Pinot Noir can achieve the level of complexity and sophistication to meet his standards.

He also puts down Cabernet Franc as a grape incapable of making fine wine. He says this to Sandra Oh's character the first time he meets her at the tasting bar at her winery.

The ironic thing is that his most prized wine of all time is not a Pinot, but rather the 1961 Cheval Blanc. This Bordeaux is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc!

After he cracks this open and quaffs it in the donair shop, he has an epiphany and finally recognizes that he can achieve happiness with what he already has around him, rather than reaching out for an unattainable ideal (like the perfect Pinot). So, he casts aside his dreams of reconciling his marriage or becoming a best-selling author and finds true love at the end of the movie.

Cheers!

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why does the main charcter in Sideways dislike merlot?
Is there something wrong with merlot or do wine experts have something against merlot? Is it a bad grape, is it made from grape skins, is it cheap to make? Or did I just read too much into it and perhaps the character's wife liked merlot.

Answer 3

Sideways Merlot

Answer 4

A big part of the bad rap that Merlot gets is the fact that it is probably the best selling of the red varietals grown in California, and to an uneducated wine-snob wanna-be it seems easy to pick on the best selling grape type. However, the statements made by the character in that movie demonstrate the fact that most people just follow things they have heard without doing any research whatsoever.

What an educated vinophile understands is that each type of grape brings something to the table, wether it be body, color, nose, tannin structure and many other things.

The other thing that gives support the the fact that Merlot is one of the five "noble grapes" in european winemaking is the fact that Chateau Petrus, from the Bordeaux region, is between 85% and 95% merlot (depending on the vintage)and is one of the most expensive and collectable wines in the entire world, with bottles from the 1961 vintage selling for multiple thousands of dollars a bottle.

...and for the true wine geeks in the making, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot are the grapes used, in varying percentages, to make all red Bordeaux wines, and are refered to as the "noble varietals" by french winemakers.

So, to answer the question, to real wine afficianados, either the guy in Sideways was simply written to be an idiot, or the script writer was an idiot. As to which of these two options is true, I have have no idea.

Answer 5

Personal prejudice. Merlot was the most popular red when the film was made and that made it "common." When a grape becomes popular, many wineries start making wines from them. This leads to alot of ... shall we say... less than inspiring products. Over commercialization can harm any product!

If you try merlots from around the globe you will find some exceptional wines. Many outstanding bottles from St. Emillion in France's reknowned Bordeaux region are made primarily of merlot and merlot blends.

Answer 6

He doesn't dislike Merlot per se.

His prize wine, long saved for a special occasion is Chateau Cheval Blanc 1961, a St Emilion made from a blend of Merlot and other variety he appears to dislike - Cabernet Franc.

His famous statement 'I am not drinking any f-ing Merlot' appears to show he doesn't like Merlot, but that is a misunderstanding of the film.

He has been set up with a blind date he doesn't want. He just wants to drink Pinot Noir with Jack, and he expects the dates to be bimbos that don't appreciate wine and just ask for 'merr low', used as a byword for the house red and a cheap sweetish brand wine. So he is saying to Jack, you've invited these girls, I don't want them here, I want to drink serious wine and while I'll put up with this evening for you, I will not drink cheap plonk!!

In fact his date turns out to be sympatico, and she loves Pinot Noir -- later giving one one the most moving monologues about wine I have heard.

So what about Cabernet Franc?

Again, the situation is all. Jack is flirting with the pourer (the lovely Sanda Oh). Again, Miles is getting exasperated by Jack and the pourer getting all lovey dovey. So when she asks about pouring Miles some Cab Franc he tries to put her down by saying its only good for blending. (and of course, it is mainly used as a blending grape, as in his Cheval Blanc.

There was a time in the USA when the word Merlot became shorthand for a basic inoffensive red wine. But well made Merlot is prized by wine lovers, and some of the most expensive wines in the world are Merlots, e.g. Le Pin (see http://www.bbr.com/db/producer/540?ID=null)

Answer 7

couple things for you. merlot is number one seller in the red wine category. according to a recent gomberg report (wine industry periodical) it out sells pinot nor by almost 3 to 1. Merlot is the best sellling red wine.

one key difference is most merlots are adequate. I have never really had a bad one. Pinot noir is a much more finicky wine and a bad one is generally really bad.

Merlot is also viewed as an "entry level" red. it is pleasing to most palates. Merlot is by no means a bad grape. Though I personally find it a bit bland. I prefer more assertive wines like Zinfandel. It is personal preference really.

Answer 8

Traditionally Merlot was grape that was mixed with Cab Franc or Cab Sav to create a wine.

Alone it makes a very simplistic wine but approachable wine. The creation of a single varietal wine was made for mass consumption by the California wine industry.

In short, initially it was a wine made for mass appeal and not quality or depth.

Answer 9

Some people like 'wine snobs' consider Merlot to be an 'entry level' red wine in the same manner that Blush wines are an introduction to Chardonnay.
It's 'easier to drink' and 'less challenging' than, say, Pinot Noir or Zinfandel.
There's nothing wrong with it; it's just fruitier and softer 'real' red wines like Cabernet!
That's why!
.

Answer 10

That character is an unabashed fan of Pinot Noir. Perhaps he regards Merlot as low class because it is so popular. There are good and bad Merlots just like there are tasty and boring Pinot Noirs.