Why does the main charcter in Sideways dislike merlot?!
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.
Answers:
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!