Are Merlot people pickier or is their Zin grape the total bomb?

Merlots got wildly overplanted during the peak of their popularity about 5 years ago, leading to most inexpensive Merlots being watery and sweet. I say most - I don't know that particular wine, but I do like Ravenswood.

Nice, but not like...Special. Are Merlot people pickier or is their Zin grape the total bomb?

Well, since Sideways came out, Merlot has taken a hit in Specialness. It's considered to be kind of bland and mellow. (Not to judge any Merlot drinkers here. Whatever pleases your palate is the way to go.)

Zin is not the hot varietal that it was in mid eighties when I moved to Northern California. In fact its section keeps getting distressingly smaller. But a good Zinfandel can be as complex as a good Cabernet. There are a lot of tannins to work with. And a table wine priced Zinfandel (such as the Ravenswood Vintner's Blend), is a very good deal for a red.

The big deal in wine these days seems to be these very small super expensive vintages by cult wineries. But that takes a full time commitment to vinology that I don't possess.

Their Zins can be the total bomb. Very few places do outstanding Merlots these days. But if you are drinking Merlot, then you are expecting that. And it would be a lovely dinner wine.

Heh. Wino x-post.

SA, where will you be in Guatemala?

quetzaltenango. Also known as Xela. I am...not prepared. But then, I never really am for my travel abroad things.

Oh, oh! I've been there! Very cool, and much less touristy than some areas.

Well, since Sideways came out, Merlot has taken a hit in Specialness

Not really -- Sideways just let non-wine-drinkers in on the trend.

Merlots got wildly overplanted during the peak of their popularity about 5 years ago, leading to most inexpensive Merlots being watery and sweet.

This. There are some AMAZING California merlots, but the majority of especially the more affordable ones are bland and oversugared.

SA!!!

Got your card, and it was very glittery!

Hey does anyone have any advice on how to figure out where the Christmas tree lots are, without having to drive around aimlessly?

Just swing by the big yellow house and get her. Duh.

quetzaltenango

Excellent. A friend's wife is from near there (Quetzaltenango was the big town). They'll take good care of you -- I'm guessing you're staying with a family.

When we went down we hiked on an ecotour through the jungle to Tikal. Every day we'd climb some ruins to look out over the trees to see the temples at Tikal getting closer. And every night the lion monkeys would throw things at us while we tried to sleep. It was amazing.

without having to drive around aimlessly?

Just swing by the big yellow house and get her. Duh.