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.)
