Re. Miles, Miles, Miles…

Methinks it prudent, gentles, to remind all at this point that this is a guy who swilled the spit bucket. In other words, he’s what back in the English classes we used to call an unreliable narrator. There are several points in the film, in fact, where his wine tasting abilities are called into question (see the Sideways review elsewhere in Grape Radio, frinstance.) And (she said, getting all English geeky), if the ’61 Chevil Blanc is symbolic of Miles’ life, and is a blend of Cab Franc & Merlot, then Miles’ saying he hates Merlot and Cab Franc are an artsy way for the author to say Miles hates himself, yes? [Insert 25-page discussion of what the funeral/feast with the '61 & the burger with a side of onion rings means...]

Ta, darlings.

Just want to say hello, I will be this bookmarked and read up on the news. By the way, I am George’s bro.

Take care,
peter

Everybody says they like merot, but whenever we do a merlot tasting event nobody shows up. Seems like Syrah, Pinot are the hot alternatives to cab right now.

Brian

Leigh Older – Grape Radio

Best of all, I can listen at work…at least until my company’s firewall decides to block it!

I’m going to do a little write up on you guys this week…I’ll let you know when it’s published.

Enjoy those Zin’s and own it! What can possibly stand up better to BBQ, Pizza, grilled steaks, and cheeseburgers like Zin? Or even on its own without anything. Some Zins are a meal on their own. 1/2 my collection is Zins; its not the only thing out there for me, but if I had to choose one varietal on a desert island….I unashamedly say Zin. A little hint on grilled steaks and wine pairing…technically char-grilled meats will chemically conflict with say Cab, even though Cab is generally a great pair with non grilled beef. This is where a Zin can step in nicely. One more Zin note…be carfeul not to put old vine Zins with spicy food unless you are into having your face blown off! Figuratively of course.

Leigh – http://www.graperadio.com

Leigh Older – http://www.graperadio.com

I really like this podcast, I’m not a big “wine guy” but I think your show is great, it’s simple but very interesting. It’s great to find a podcast that doesn’t talk about “podcasting”.

I too am curious about the Merlot comments in “Sideways”. I say that line from at restaurant dinners now for a good laugh…but Merlot is my wine of choice most times. What’s the deal?

Also, do you have any experience with Virginia wines? I’ve had some good ones on some tastings out here in the Virginia Wine Region, but can any compete with California wines?

Thanks,
Mike

Not being a wine “expert”, I didn’t totally understand his comment. My first thought was that Miles was inferring that Merlot is a beginner wine and anyone who orders Merlot shows their wine inexperience. But then as I thought about it some more, I felt that he was promoting the “wine snobbishness” that the wine industry and your podcast is trying to break down. While the comment was funny in the movie, I think it sends out the wrong message to those that are still finding their way around the many varietals. “Am I allowed to drink merlot now? I don’t want to look like an amateur”

So am I missing the joke here? For me if I like Merlot, I’ll drink it. So what if my palate isn’t refined, does that make me look silly. I can do that all by myself without the help of Merlot. My current fav is Zinfandels, I hope that’s not on the taboo list too.

Keep up the good work. Today’s podcast and leigh’s recent comment has really piqued my interest in Paso Robles wines. Off to the wine store I go!

Cheers,
Tim