Posted on 11/07/2023 5:44:45 AM PST by Red Badger
INTERNATIONAL MERLOT DAY
Every year on November 7th, International Merlot Day celebrates one of the world’s most popular red wines. It’s also a day to encourage those who have never had merlot to give it a try.
The word “merlot” is thought to be a diminutive of merle. This is the French name for the blackbird, which most likely refers to the color of the grape. Merlot wine was first produced in Bordeaux, France. Some mistakenly think that a different grape, cabernet sauvignon, is the most widely planted in Bordeaux. This is not the case, however. More hectares in Bordeaux are devoted to growing Merlot than any other grape. In Italy, Merlot is the 5th most planted grape. The grape is the 2nd most widely planted grape in Israel.
Besides Bordeaux, Italy, and Israel, other regions that produce Merlot include:
California
Washington
Chile
Australia
Canada
South Africa
Greece
Mexico
Wine experts describe the flavor of Merlot as a dark fruit flavor. These fruits include black cherry, blackberry, plum, and raspberry. These fruity flavors are layered with herbal tones as well as an undertones of vanilla and mocha. It is not a sweet wine, however. Merlot is a dry wine that some would consider bitter. This bitter taste comes from the skin of the grapes during the winemaking process.
HOW TO OBSERVE #InternationalMerlotDay
On this day, liquor stores, bars, and restaurants feature different kinds of Merlot and offer special discounts on bottles of wine. Merlot lovers gather together and celebrate their favorite wine. Wine-tasting events and winemaking demonstrations are also popular on this day. If you have never tried Merlot, today is the perfect day to give it a try. Sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy one of these movies that features this popular beverage:
Sideways
A Walk in the Clouds
Bottle Shock
You Will Be My Son
A Good Year
Somm
Uncorked
You can also share this day on social media with #InternationalMerlotDay.
INTERNATIONAL MERLOT DAY HISTORY
Our team is still researching the origins of this day.
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November 7th Celebrated History
1805
The Corps of Discovery under the command of Captain Meriwether Lewis, Second Lieutenant William Clark, and comprised of several U.S. Army and civilian volunteers, sight the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Over a year before, the expedition departed from the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
1916
The Montana Republican became the first woman elected to Congress. She served in the House of Representatives during two separate terms; first in 1916, four full years before the 19th amendment was passed. Montana extended the right to vote to women (excluding Native women) in 1914. Rankin was once again elected to the house in 1940.
1967
Cleveland elected Carl B. Stokes, the first African-American mayor of a major U.S. city. The prosecuting attorney first ran for Mayor in 1965 but lost. Undaunted he ran again and won. Then in 1969, he was re-elected to a second term.
1989
When voters went to the ballot box in Virginia, they helped make history when they voted for L. Douglas Wilder. He became the first elected African American governor in the history of the United States. Before running for governor, Wilder served a term as lieutenant governor.
1994
The first traditional radio station streamed its broadcast via the internet around the world. WXYC at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill launched the 24-hour programming to demonstrate the potential of Internet broadcasting.
1996
NASA launches the Mars Global Surveyor orbiter on a nine-year mission designed to map the Red Planet's topography and measure its weather patterns.
November 7th Celebrated Birthdays
Andrew Dickson White - 1832
In 1865, the historian and educator co-founded Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.
Marie Curie - 1867
As a woman of many firsts, Curie not only became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, she was the first person to win two. Her discoveries, along with her husband Pierre, of radioactivity, the elements polonium and radium led to the development of X-rays. She was also the first woman to lecture at the Sorbonne.
Lise Meitner - 1878
The physicist's work with chemist Otto Hahn led to the explanation of nuclear fission.
Margaret Leech - 1893
The author and biographer became the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for History. In 1960, she became the only person to win a second Pulitzer Prize.
Billy Graham - 1918
The Christian evangelist preached for over 40 years reaching millions via radio, television, and revivals.
Pillsbury Doughboy - 1965
The iconic mascot of the Pillsbury Company debuted in a Flakey Biscuit commercial. Also known as Poppin' Fresh, the character would represent the company until 2005.
I don’t know about you but I am so tired of “Such and Such” a day! National cake day. National hug your dog day. National merlot day. Come on. The only ones I pay attention to is National Chocolate Day and National Beer Day. The rest can disappear. LOL
I always go for the Australian or Chilean reds; they taste the best to me.
Lastly - you can't drink all day if you don't get started in the morning! ;)
I never drink before Noon.
And it’s always Noon somewhere.....................
Merlot is my favorite wine, after chianti. We hardly buy wine any more since we drink it so seldom and it goes bad too fast.
When is International I’m Not Drinking Any F___ing Merlot Day?
“I always go for the Australian or Chilean reds....”
Try an Argentine Merlot from the Mendoza region. More so with Argentine steak or a Mendoza empanada. Might be favorable to a Chilean variety.
It’s better than Facebook with their “Which potato are you?” games
I find Merlots to be too “minerally”. I drink them at social events because I drink them more slowly if at all.
Thanks! Next time I make it to The Big City to ‘Booze Outlet’ or whatever they’re called, I will check! :)
Sharing that with a friend who loves wine.
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