The oft-maligned wine of France, California

TERRE HAUTE — There’s comfort food, the comfortable recliner, and those comfortable old shoes.

Then there is the oft-maligned but comfortable Merlot.

Merlot’s reputation as the punching bag of all wine snobs reached its zenith in 2004 in the movie “Sideways.” The movie is a bittersweet comedy with a central theme of wine, Pinot Noir to be specific.

The main character, played brilliantly by Paul Giamatti, is a wine geek trying to find great Pinot Noir while on a ‘bachelor’s” trip prior to his buddy’s wedding. His buddy is merely interested in exploring his freedom before tying the knot.