Giving you a head start on Wine Wednesday by going out on a limb and suggesting Merlot.

I know you think you don’t like Merlot and that’s all because there was a movie called “Sideways” starring Paul Giamatti whose famous quote“If anybody orders Merlot I’m leaving…I am not drinking any Effing Merlot”

Well guess what? If you drink red wine, you drink Merlot all the time and you probably don’t even know it. Because Merlot is a great blending grape added to Bordeaux Blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cab Franc. Merlot is also added to Italian wines like Super Tuscans.

Here are some Merlot suggestions for Wine Wednesday that won’t break the bank. These are all around $15 give or take a buck or two higher or lower depending on where you buy wine. You may also notice these are all from Sonoma County and that’s where you should always get your lighter reds from. Because Sonoma is closer to the Pacific Ocean the nights are cooler which gives grapes a chance to recover after the hot California days over 100 degrees.

Here are some tasting notes from my personal tasting and some according to Vivino a great wine APP.

Remember there are no rights or wrongs in wine – you either like it or you don’t.

Suggested pairings for these wines - pizza, Italian food like chicken parm, fettuccini or mushroom ravioli. Salmon or chicken wings on grill also work well. Who's hungry now?

And the beauty of the Safer At Home guidelines - you're not drinking and driving.

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