Sniffing the wine stimulates the palate of the drinker when the molecules start hitting the olfactory nerves. In many cases, drinkers can only really identify the citrus smell of the fruit, but paying close attention can allow you to identify so much more.
However, this only really works if there is more for you to actually smell. If the wine itself already really has one kind of scent to offer, this means that you are wasting your time putting too much weight on the scent. With this being the case, some might say that the criticisms directed at pinot grigio in this instance are justified. The same goes for when talking about why certain types of wines are not as good as their other counterparts.
In the case of pinot grigio, for example, it is made from the same variety of grapes as pinot gris. However, while the latter enjoys a rather positive reputation that is lauded all over by wine snobs, the former does not have the same disposition. This is due to the process with which they are made and which has had quite a tremendous effect on the results. As for merlot, there is nothing particularly remarkable when it comes to this particular variety of grapes.
It can grow almost anywhere and is in fact grown almost anywhere, and this is the problem. Where the grapes are planted, harvested, and processed have a huge impact on the wine that will be made from them. Everything from the taste to the complexity of the aroma is all borne from the earth. Merlot is not selective, which makes it almost unbearably common. Pop Culture Influence — Finally, there is the matter of the influence of pop culture on the impressions that a lot of people have on merlot and pinot grigio, or just about any wine, for that matter.
If, for example, your favorite character in a movie had mentioned a particular type of wine that they liked, chances are you will like that wine too. Of course, you can always claim that your decisions have not been influenced by any such materials and that your opinions are entirely your own.
However, this is impossible by the simple virtue that human thoughts and actions are inevitably influenced by the things they are exposed to. It just so happened that one character in a movie made a throwaway statement that many took way too seriously. Just to give you some context, the movie featured Paul Giamatti whose character was a wine critic. In one wine tasting sessions, he derided merlot after it was suggested that they try a bottle.
He essentially threatened to leave if they proceeded with the tasting, suggesting just how much he did not like the wine. In contrast, he waxed eloquent about the greatness of Pinot Noir. In reaction to his praise, the sales of pinot noir actually did go up noticeably right after the movie came out.
However, the impact on this particular wine variety was not as huge as many might assume. On the other hand, his disparaging of merlot has forever been branded in the minds of those who would have otherwise enjoyed it. It cannot be emphasized enough that this is a rather odd reaction from the audience. After all, just because something was said in a movie or on TV, this does not automatically mean that it is true.
Any character can say whatever crazy thing they want and it would still all be nothing but nonsense. One could almost attribute this impression among viewers to the excellent performance of the actor himself. In truth, pinot grigio really can lean towards the ordinary and the common, as far as wine goes. It is the most ordinary of ordinary wines and this most obvious of dullness is why a lot of wine enthusiasts just do not like it.
After all, a lot of folks drink wine because of the promise of adventure that it brings. You do have a wine that is basically like juice compared to the various carbonated drinks available in the market. Flavor notes will vary widely between different vintages from various regions where merlot grapes are grown. However, fruit notes of black cherry, raspberry, and plum are common.
You might also notice tobacco, vanilla, clove, or cedar from the aging process. Generally speaking, merlot is one of those wines that many people enjoy because it is a medium wine. However, these medium attributes also often result in the wine being passed over as more sophisticated wine enthusiasts seek out more complex profiles that fit what they are looking to explore. For instance, I generally don't focus on merlot unless I'm at a winery where the winemaker is particularly known for it, though I would love to visit Bordeaux and sample wines from Pomerol!
Pomerol might be the smallest appellation in the Bordeaux region, but it is one of the most celebrated around the world, as it produces a large number of sought-after wines. Wondering why we are mentioning Pomerol wine?
That is because the dominant grape in the region is none other than Merlot, sharing its space with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. If anyone around you ever belittles Merlot wines, you can now remind them of the fact that some of the greatest Bordeaux wines come from that grape variety.
Merlot is a half-sibling to Cabernet Sauvignon and grows well in similar areas but thrives in cooler parts of those regions. This makes it unsurprising that Bordeaux, France is the top merlot producing region in the world with nearly half of the acreage. Likewise, merlot is the most popular grape grown in France though it is often blended with Malbec and others. Hold on. So all this sudden talk of merlot is all because the merlot marketing board has come up with a new hashtag?
Giamatti was right! I know. Do you have some petrol in a mug? Surviving the Sideways effect: why merlot is making a comeback. Name: Merlot. Age: Just over years old. Profile: Soft, fruity and elegant. I hate merlot.
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