If you have been sitting at home waiting for the day when I begin comparing grapes to the fame level of early 2000's pop stars then you are in luck, or maybe you will just roll your eyes when you realize that I am a millennial.  This episode is all about Merlot, a grape that has had a lot of ups and downs over the last twenty years but has never  left the hearts and minds of wine makers on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, though it was shunned in California for the better part of the 21st century.  Why does a grape that get's so much hate make one of the worlds most expensive wines?  Well... we're going to get into it.  As usual, I got help:  The Oxford Companion to Wine by Jancis Robinson.  The Complete Bordeaux by Stephen Brook.  Inside Bordeaux by Jane Anson.  I talk about a lot of wineries, so here is the list of all the Saint Emilion Classified Chateaux:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classification_of_Saint-%C3%89milion_wine AND:  Here is the website for Chateau de la Rivière in Fronsac:  http://www.chateau-de-la-riviere.com/en/our-grands-vins-de-bordeaux/ If you spot something that needs correcting or you would like to request an episode you can reach out at [email protected] or check out the House Wine Instagram @housewinepodcast  This podcast is 100% independent, it is written, narrated and produced by myself, Rachael so if you heard something you liked then scroll down and leave a comment or review, that is the best way that you can support the show.  Until next week, I hope you drink something delicious!  Music Credit: Too Cool by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4534-too-cool License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/