Wine, Song & Marilyn Merlot… or am I repeating myself?

Odd Wines from around the world!

Marilyn Merlot and the Naked Grape by  Peter F. May  is a wonderful little book simply about interesting wines from around the world with… unusual names. Marilyn Merlot by  Napa Wine Company  is a “…leggy red offer(ing) blackberry, chocolate, and smokey toast flavors.” ‘Negociant’ David Wright’s “The Naked Grape” is a ‘collection’ of hand picked wines from various vintners. Peter’s Book is packed with interesting stories, illustrations and reviews…  a great read.

The  “Goats do Roam”  story is an amusing one as is their ever present label here in America. However, I can see why the folks producing  “Cotes du Rhone”  tried to get the label banned in France. In California, we have our own local favorite, a blended star, entitled “Cotes du Robles” (38% Mourvedre, 35% Syrah & 27% Grenache) by Eberle Winery ( one snobbish reviewer said it would be ‘great with a pizza’… but then, I say, so is Margaux).

The Goats du Roam family of various wines does house a ‘red’ with a familiar blend of Shiraz (90%), Pinotage (6.5%) and Mourvedre (3.5%).

Peter’s book contains quite a few wines that I would love to serve for the shock value alone. Not much is left to the imagination with names like: Truck Stop Girl, Under the Table, Dancing Monkey, French Kiss, Big Ass Red …. and lastly d’Vine! ( stop! I have been PUN-ished enough!)

Buy the book … it’s great with Margaux and Pizza!

Roger Freberg

PS. Peter’s Book is pictured above next to my Concord Grapes — which the ‘experts’ say can’t grow in this part of the world.