Readers of this column ask us all the time about our favorite wine movies. (OK, we don’t even know for sure that we have actual readers, but it’s nice to imagine at least one of you might ask that question.)
So, here is a brief recap of three of my favorite movies involving wine:
Days of Wine and Roses (1962)
Spoiler alert: This is not a great movie to enjoy with a glass of wine since the lead characters, played by Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick, have some serious drinking problems. It must be added that Brandy Alexanders played a much bigger role in the movie than either wine or roses.
Interesting fact: Both Lemmon and Remick sought help from Alcoholics Anonymous, albeit quite a while after the film was made.
Favorite quote: Joe Clay, played by Lemmon, “You and I were a couple of drunks on the sea of booze and the boat sank.”
Sideways (2004)
Spoiler alert: Miles Raymond (played by Paul Giamatti) winds up drinking a bottle of 1961 Cheval Blanc by himself in a Burger King. Assuming the food cost about $10, the value of his meal was about $5,510. (And – see below – the primary wine in the Cheval Blanc is Merlot.)
Interesting fact: Pinot Noir production in California has increased roughly 170% since the movie was released in 2004.
Favorite quote: Miles Raymond, “If anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving.”
Bottle Shock (2008)
Spoiler alert: Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay wins the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976. The victory is credited with giving instant credibility to California wines.
Interesting fact: Mike Grgich was the winemaker who crafted the prize-winning 1973 Chardonnay. However, he elected not to be part of the movie and was never mentioned in it. After the Paris Wine Tasting, Grgich was in high demand and wound up partnering with one of the heirs to the Hills Brothers Coffee estate to form Grgich Hills Winery. (And their chardonnay is superb, by the way.)
Favorite quote: Jim Bartlett (winery owner), “Why don’t I like you?”; Steven Spurrier (tasting organizer), “Because you think I’m an arsehole. I’m not, really. I’m just British and, well, you’re not.”
Cheers!
-Submitted by Bill Good
(Image credit: Pixabay.com and Vinepair.com)