How to Buy Merlot Without Getting Burned

Merlot occupies a wider quality range than almost any other major red grape, which means buying it well requires knowing what to look for — and what to avoid. Saturday's practical episode covers the specific signals that distinguish serious Merlot from the undistinguished mass-market version, the vintages worth seeking in Bordeaux, California, and Washington, value picks at every price point, and the sommelier script that gets you a genuinely excellent Merlot recommendation.