Merlot, the blackbird, and who isn't drinking any fuqing Merlot? | S23E1

Merlot: Wine's Blackbird Variety an exploration of the history, Merlot in wine regions around the world, the resulting styles, and a grape gab, along with some bird blather. And who isn't drinking any fuqing Merlot?! Resources from this episode: Books:  The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours, Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013) Websites:  Birdspot: Four and Twenty Blackbirds Baked in a Pie https://www.birdspot.co.uk/culture/four-and-twenty-blackbirds-baked-in-a-pie Cellar Tours: Merlot Grape Variety - Its Rise and Rise, Lawrence, J. (Updated 3 February 2025) https://www.cellartours.com/blog/france/the-rise-and-rise-of-merlot Château de Tiregand: AOC Pécharmant https://chateau-de-tiregand.com/aoc-pecharmant-2/?lang=en DO Somontano: Somontano https://dosomontano.com/?lang=en EBird: Eurasian Blackbird https://ebird.org/species/eurbla?siteLanguage=en_AU&continue History and Headlines: Merlot Wine - A Quick Guide, Alhazred, A. (Updated 26 July 2025) https://www.historyandheadlines.com/merlot-wine-a-quick-guide/ Markham Vineyards: From Bordeaux to the World https://markhamvineyards.com/the-history-of-merlot/ Napa Valley Wine Academy: Understanding Wine Faults: A Comprehensive Guide to Types, Aromas, Compounds, and Causes https://napavalleywineacademy.com/blogs/pouring-points/understanding-wine-faults-a-comprehensive-guide-to-types-aromas-compounds-and-causes Nursery Rhymes Collections: Sing a Song of Sixpence https://nurseryrhymescollections.com/songs/sing-a-song-of-sixpence/ Swiss Wine: Ticino Wine Region https://www.swisswine.com/en/swiss-wine-regions/ticino-wine-region Vins Bergerac Duras: https://www.vins-bergeracduras.fr/en/ Wikiquote: Sideways (23 August 2026) https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Sideways   Glass in Session Episodes Referenced in this Episode:      S5E5: Grape Brandy Escape https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s5e5-grape-brandy-escape S9E5: Swiss Wine, Sweet Stories https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s9e5-swiss-wine-sweet-stories S13E2: American Rosé - The Story of our Red, White, and Blush https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/american-ros-the-story-of-our-red-white-and-blush S13E4: Meritage- An American Blending Story with French Roots https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/meritage-an-american-blending-story-with-french-roots S17E3: Hungarian Wine - Feasting While Crying https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/hungarian-wine-and-feasting-while-crying-s17e3 S17E4: Romanian Wine, Dracula, Gods and Goddesses: https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/romanian-wine-dracula-gods-and-goddesses S17E5: Wine from Bulgaria https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/wine-from-bulgaria-s17e5 S17E6: Wine of Moldova https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s9e5-swiss-wine-sweet-stories S18E5: Lake Garda - Surrounded by Wine Regions https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/lake-garda-surrounded-by-wine-regions-s18e5 S19E2: Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol Wine Regions in Italy https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/trentino-alto-adigesdtirol-wine-regions-in-italy-s19e2   Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session   Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC. Music: "Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)