‘Movie and TVino’ Articles
Wine Pairing Guide for Movies, TV, Video Games, and Wine News From Entertainment Land.
Ahh, if only you thought of movies when you think of Oscar night. Oh, you mean one or two of you still do? I thought all anyone thought of these days was red carpets, diamonds, dresses and celebrity gift bags. Okay, so I do like that part too. But the Oscars don’t hold as much joy for me as they did when I was say, 17. That’s probably because I hadn’t moved to Los Angeles yet and half of the actors weren’t my actual neighbors. When you see what every celebrity gets handed to them from 3000 miles away in a different world … it’s glamorous. When it’s next door and they shop at your supermarket, it sucks.
Too real? Sour grapes? Probably. But speaking of grapes, sour or otherwise, my subtle (NOT!) yet, affordable pick for the 2010 Academy Awards is something you can afford to get at that celeb-ridden supermarket and glows as ruby as the red carpet itself. Appropriately, Director Francis Ford Coppola’s Diamond Collection 2008 Pinot Noir, Silver Label.
You can find this wine for as high as $19.99 at Gelsons or as low as $9- $13 at Costco.
SPECS:
Appellation Monterey County
Blend 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol 13.4%
Total Acid .60
pH 3.57
Barrel Regimen New and used French oak
Released May 2008
Retail $18.00
I am sipping as I write this and torturing myself watching E!’s horrendous broadcast. Okay, I just changed the channel.
It’s nice to have a Pinot Noir actually taste like a Pinot…not a faux drama queen Meritage or a Pinot overacting like a Bordeaux. Then again nothing is real in Hollywood. But your wine can be. It’s reasonably priced. It’s a beautiful bright, ruby red garnet hue and the label is a shining silver-blue diamond. Very festive.
Hints of brown spice, minor mushroom, young plum and strawberry. Clean finish. The more it opens up the better it is. But make no mistake, it is simple. Simple, straightforward, light and a little lovely. Unlike Hollywood.
Okay, okay I’m done with the Hollywood jabs, because truthfully, I love it here in Hollywood. I knew I was always meant to be here since I was 12, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
Now go drink dah’ling.
Tags: Academy Awards, Francis Ford Coppola, Oscar wine pairing, Oscars, Pinot Noir
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In honor of tonight’s season premiere, here is an encore listing of my drinking choices for a good Lost viewing. And so help me, if Ben pisses me off tonight, I will find a way to jump through the screen.
Even though a light refreshing beachy white may seem the obvious choice, I chose all reds… you need something pretty solid and grounding to follow Lost and it’s weighty episodes. If not, you’ll probably take out your frustrations on white wine, down 3 bottles without even knowing it, and curse Michael Giacchino’s booming sting as ‘LOST’ in giant letters pop on the screen.
My picks–
Price point: Tug boat.
In honor of Jacob and flight number:
Jacob’s Creek Limited Release Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 $8.99
Joel Gott Blend No. 815 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 $15.79
Price point: Sailing Yacht.
In honor of Sawyer and his dramatic ocean copter dive:
Sawyer Cellars Merlot 2004 $39.00
Babcock Pinot Noir Ocean’s Ghost Vineyard 2006 $54.99
Price point: Charles Widmore.
In honor of Dharma Initiative class of 1997 and Ben’s Smoke Monster confession:
Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1977 $79.95
Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Ten 2006 $99.99
These wines aren’t just fun names, they are all pretty well received and worth considering. My fave? The Babcock Pinot. Even better than that? Knowing what the hell John Locke is talking about.
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My favorite time of year. Fall.
Leaves turning. Harvest Festival. Boots come out. Halloween around the corner. Heavy red wines flourish. That is, if you don’t live in Los Angeles.
Sigh….
Well, I can at least enjoy the other part of the Autumnal Equinox that doesn’t have anything to do with druids or school buses. Returning Fall TV shows. Not all of them are repped here of course, and not all are premiering again right now (like Chuck or Lost for example), but it’s a good start. Time to pull out the playbook and plan my wine pairing strategy for a few of this seasons shows. But in typical Wine Unfiltered style, this is not a food pairing.
It’s the other kind.
FRINGE
Premieres Sept. 17 on FOX
Now, I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, I’m not a dessert wine fan. Well, it’s more that I am picky about my sweet wines.
But this out of this world addictive Hungarian gold monster is hard to walk away from.
The 2003 The Royal Tokaji Wine Company Red Label 5 puttonyos $37
When you drink a Tokaji, it is a slow sipping, deliberate experience. You think it’s going to be just another sweet wine and this it ends up being something unusual and unexpected. In a very good way. Pretty much like Fringe.
Aromas of apricot, light honey, stone, sea and dried pitted fruit. At only 10% alcohol, you’ll stay awake nicely. Which you will need to keep up with what the heck’s going on with Fringe’s plots. There is tons of acidity for a dessert wine, which makes this a nice crisp, clean drink with plenty of texture.
It just explodes with a cheese course, but also just yumtastic with some dessert. Even if it is just doughnuts, Captain Crunch and midnight milkshakes. Walter would approve.
DOLLHOUSE
Premieres Sept. 18 on FOX
When you think of Viognier, it will often emotes images of little white flowers, sweet melon, honey and pineapple.
Not so much with the 2006 Vixen Viognier, Santa Ynez Valley $28
This appropriately named wine is more Dollhouse style. Like Ecko, at first glance it is delicate and smooth, but once you get closer to smell and taste, it hits you with a one two punch. Sharp crisp acidity, geraniums, lemon verbena, dried stone fruits and weighty, big juicy peaches. Okay. Get your mind out of the gutter.
Hit that puppy with some spicy foods such as Thai or Vietnamese cuisine, curries and hot hot coconut as well as stiletto heels and a gun. Unless you’re a guy. Then gun. Just the gun.
CASTLE
Premieres Sept. 21 on ABC
Since Richard Castle seems to like to pay off book reviewers with cases of Chateauneuf-du-Pape*, I think it’s pretty appropriate to sip a nice 2005 Chateau La Nerthe’s Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge $39.99.
Silky smooth, with deep spice, sweet berry fruit and the barest hint of bonfire. It is supremely aromatic, opulent and well rounded. Sounds like Castle to me. Well, maybe not the aromatic part. Although, he probably would be.
This is a Grenache heavy wine. If Richard Castle were a wine, he probably would be a Grenache based wine. As I mentioned in my article Super Grapes, Grenache takes on a new sense of power and new-found flavors when mixed with others. Grenache also softens harsher partners but is prone to oxidation and damage from them. Castle himself is deliciously interesting, sharp, fine, charming, and especially shines when mixed in a crowd. He is also always trying to soften Detective Beckett to let her guard down. But when she’s hurt, he feels the damage as well.
Should be a fun match. Now all you will need is a pair of onion goggles, laser tag outfit and Manhattan skyline to complete the evening.
* The Rhone region of southeast France growing old vine Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.
HOUSE
Premieres Sept. 21 on FOX
Straightforward, robust, spicy, incessantly lingers.
Am I talking about a wine, or House?
How about both.
The 2007 Laetitia Pinot Noir Estate $24, is pretty much all of those things.
Scent of vanilla, hint of oak. Medium ripe berries with sweet spices. Superbly balanced, smooth and light.
House doesn’t have time to take any crap. A Pinot Noir, one with high antioxidants and delivers everything that should be there. No fuss, no muss. Very nice. Get on with it.
Then again, House does like monster trucks and pissing people off, so he would probably just throw the wine in together with beer, whiskey, skittles and crushed ice in a big brown paper bag wrapped jug while limping down a hallway making snide remarks.
Vicodin optional.
HEROES
Premieres Sept. 21 NBC
Ok, ok I’m quoting my Super Grapes article again:
Grape: Pinot Grigio (Gris)
Thought to be a genetic mutant of the Pinot Noir grape, Pinot Grigio is a grayish blue fruit. The wine color produced can morph from deep gold, to copper, even light pink or salmony yellow. Depending on the maker, this wine can go from subtle, innocuous and invisible, to powerful flavors and extremely aromatic, and even agile lightweight, lean or peppery. Very versatile with many foods and many situations.
Heroes is nothing if not that. I mean it was in awesome season 1. But THAT conversation is another article all together. Anyhoo, my choice? The ever versatile, ever changing (even three days later) 2008 Graffigna Pinot Grigio $11.50
Pale white gold with an almost imperceptible pink hue. Tons of light florals, young white peaches and crispness. Slight orange blossom and linen, aromatic and herbaceously tart finish. Very good for the price. Still good the second and third day. No serious harm in investing in it once to give it a try. And Heroes is nothing if not that. I mean now.
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SMALLVILLE
Premieres Sept. 25 on CW
Staying true to my article Super Grapes (the last time I’m mentioning it, I promise), Smallville would pair with nothing else but a good Cabernet Sauvignon. But I thought I’d take it a step further. Even though Clark comes from simple Kansas stock, he is still a son of Krypton. With the duality he must blend together everyday, it seemed interesting to split the difference and choose an appropriately named Bordeaux blend:
The 2003 Château Clarke $29.99
Yes, Clark himself would probably skip a French wine and go with a good o’l boy drink of OJ. But this wine still plays to his personality. Like Clark, who is gentle on the acrid negativity, large on strength and power, this wine has medium low acid, large and in charge tannins. Lots of lingering oak on the finish. Just like the tree trunk mammoth of a superhero he is.
Besides, you gotta drink something while trying to get through an entire scene of Lois babbling about something or other.
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THE SIMPSONS
Premieres Sept. 27 FOX
DOH! There is no way on this green Earth you can pair a Simpsons episode without beer. Homer just couldn’t handle it. But Marge is still the glue that holds the family together. She would much rather have something like, oh let’s say, Champagne. Put together, that spells a Black Velvet.
BLACK VELVET
4 oz. Stout Beer
4 oz. Champagne or Sparkling Wine
Fill a tall champagne flute halfway with chilled stout beer (such as Guinness)
Float the sparkling wine on top of the stout by pouring it over an upside down spoon, so that the liquid runs gently down to layer it.
My wine choice? Marge like happy pretty things. She would definitely go for pink. Sparkling pink.
The 2008 Francis Coppola Pinot Noir Sofia Rose $15
Filled with rose petal goodness, it is female in a glass. Dry, with juicy ripe red berries, strawberry core, hint of zest and pretty refreshing. Moe definitely wouldn’t serve it. But visually, the Guinness and the Sofia are pretty much Marge and Homer in a glass. Best. look. ever.
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LIE TO ME
Premieres Sept. 28 on FOX
For Lie To Me, you need a smart, interesting wine. Cal would be bored to death with something too simple to figure out.
It’s got to be the 2006 Favia La Josefina Vineyards Pinot Noir $64.95 
It’s a Pinot Noir lying it’s ass off, pretending to be a Merlot or a warm climate Cabernet Sauvignon. Let’s just say interesting. And a good pairing for the Autumn chill about the settle in.
It’s deep red garnet color with moderate aromas of vanilla, oak and blue fruit. A dry, but still medium bodied red. The medium body may be one of its only tells. Even Dr. Lightman would have trouble getting this one to confess to being a Pinot Noir.
It has lower tannin but lots of flavor. This is very viscous for a Pinot Noir, filled with fall evening blackberry, blueberry pie filling and the barest hint of sweet sage and cinnamon. It may almost be a bit too sweet with it’s smooth talking acidity, but it’s still a Pinot Noir. Don’t be fooled. Cal wouldn’t.
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MAD MEN
New Episodes Sundays on AMC
It’s hard to go Mad Men and not do a cocktail of some kind. But that doesn’t mean you have to abandon the grape.
My choice? A Grappa Cocktail.
Long story short, grappa is usually a clear vodka-like spirit fermented from wine grape skins, stems and seeds. Grappa used to have the notorious reputation of having the quality of lighter fluid, but these days there are many incredible, smooth, aromatic grappas on the market and many that tote single varietal grape status.
A good one: Inga Moscato Grappa $26.99. Notes of herb, terra cotta, citrus and apricot. It is smooth, people. As smooth as Don Draper himself. I kid you not.
A two fold cocktail recipe choice for Mad Men would be an original Wine Unfiltered twist on the very popular drink of the early 1960’s, as well as it being one of Sterling Cooper’s clients:
GRAPPA LONDON FOG COCKTAIL
In a container with shaved ice stir:
1 1/2 ounces premium clear grappa with
1/4 ounce Pernod
Watch it fog up as you pour the drink in a well-chilled martini cocktail glass. Makes 1 drink. Serve with disdain and deception.
HAPPY FALL, HAPPY WATCHING, HAPPY DRINKING.
Tags: Bordeaux, Castle, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, dessert wine, Dollhouse, Fringe, grappa, grappa cocktail, Heroes, House, Lie To Me, Mad Men, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Smallville, The Simpsons, Tokaji, viognier, wine pairings
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So, finally here is a sneak peek at part 1 of Wine Unfiltered’s first episode. The next half will probably look pretty different and a little more ridiculous. It’s simple, it’s slightly silly and the down res and lighting make me look like I’ve had no sleep in a week, but it’s a start.
You can check the Wine Unfiltered TV page for it’s permanent home.
WINE UNFILTERED
Episode 1 part 1
Six Super Simple Segments on Wine
For my more advanced winos, you will laugh at the simplicity. For non winos, you will laugh at the stupidity.
Enjoy!
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photo by Josilin Torrano
-Merloba Fett with animation artist Jay Shultz-
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I’ve been going to Comic-Con on the west coast for about a decade, but I was planning on NOT going for once. Why? Because I remember when you could walk, breathe (although you shouldn’t do that around the geeks too much anyway) and actually attend a panel without waiting on a 4 hour line. It’s always sold out this, and no hotel that. I am glad nerd culture has boomed and all, because I am no longer the lone chick in a sea of Klingons. But it has boomed in my way. Thank god I get pro badge or I would have been screwed getting in. They do have the right like anyone else of course, and I don’t blame them, but every Showtime fan with a glue gun treks down now.
For the three people that may not know what The San Diego Comic-Con is, here you go.
Most of the time was spent being claustrophobic and escaping. But the few times I did escape, I had a blast, as always.
Looking back on the experience in every way shape and alien form, I was wondering which wine paired best with the spirit of Comi-Con 2009. I had about 5 or 6 different ones, and the first thing that came to mind was one of the crisp whites I had, to flush out the heat of geek and sharp edge to cut through a Star Wars panel line. But the one that summed up the experience most was the 2006 Napa Valley Green Lion Merlot. I had this Thursday night at San Diego’s Red Pearl Kitchen with some fun and talented friends.
The one thing a person needs at this convention is a calm head and relaxed state of mind. With its psychedelic label, the image on the bottle screams of the chaos and color conflicts of the Comic-Con floor. But inside the bottle, the wine is as cool, dark and deep as Darth Vader’s resonant vocals.
This South Australian style red is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Smooth, very reasonable and aromas of dry cocoa, spice and very subtle earth. Soft but strong, steady and balanced. And trust me, you need to be all four at the SDCC. The label was designed by Beatles artist Alan Aldridge, who was one of John Lennon’s favorite designers. Pop culture at its best my friends.
And that is what Comic-Con is all about now. For better or worse.
Rating: 1d8
Tags: Boba Fett, Comic Con, John Lennon, Merlot, Red Lion Merlot, Red Pearl Kitchen, Red Wine, San Diego, Star Wars, the Beatles, wine bottles, wine label
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So what’s with all the grape varieties and which ones taste like what once turned into wine? Like most things in life, grapes and the wines that come from them have a personality all their own. To give you a simple but iconic frame of reference, I can think of nothing better than to compare the miraculous potion of wine to another miraculous figure: superheroes…and maybe a villain or two thrown in for good measure.
This article will be available as a permanent page here on Wine Unfiltered for all your Superhero needs.
GO FORTH AND GRAPE.
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Hero: Superman
Honest, just, strong, indestructible, man of steel, heals from our yellow sun.
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
This grape thrives in a variety of environments and the deep constant heat from our yellow sun energizes the Cabernet grape to ripen to its fullest potential. It has very tough-as-steel vines, probably one of the toughest in all grapes varieties. Big and full bodied, resistant to cold, a survivor, it is practically ageless in its longevity in the bottle—up to several decades.
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Hero: Batman
Dark , brooding, intelligent, complex, intense duality between the suave Bruce Wayne and Batman.
Grape: Syrah
Nothing says the dark knight quite like the Syrah grape. Dark, bold, forceful, peppery and powerful, it emanates midnight colored fruit with a leathery edge. Sryah is widely planted, internationally known and an aggressive grower. It can be very complex and brooding in its style, often has a duality of smooth elegance constantly bashed with hearty attacking wood, spice and earth notes.
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Hero: Wolverine
Violent, sharp edged, animalistic, impulsive, straightforward, endless sideburns, cigar lover, can be too hot headed, older than he looks.
Grape: Zinfandel
With its compact short grape clusters, Zinfandel is also known as Primitivo: primal, straightforward, can sometimes be too hot in alcohol. Very hardy in nature, it has vigorous vines and copious resistance to damage. The wine often has notes of tobacco, cigar box, and dusty fruit zest. It is also known as “old vine” zinfandel; it’s old roots firmly placed in history exudes an ageless quality. Pairs perfectly with grilled mutton chops.
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Hero: Spider Man
Athletic, energetic, genetically mutated, likes to be cool in front of girls, talks too much, wirery, cherry red costume, web slinger, young, attractive and witty.
Grape: Pinot Noir
There is often a love-hate relationship with Pinot Noir. It can be difficult and young, thin skinned, medium bodied, genetically unstable and likes to be cool. But its intense red cherry flavors, along with texture of liquid silk spinning a web on your tongue is undeniably attractive.
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Hero: Beast
Intelligent, learned, studious, scientific, well spoken, strong, agile, genius.
Grape: Merlot
The gentlemanly Merlot grape matures faster and softer, forming dry, rich, sophisticated wines. Super traditional, it is one of the noble grapes. It is strong and enduring in character, classical yet bold.
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Hero: Hulk
Difficult to control, behemoth, raging, destructive, easily aggravated.
Grape: Nebbiolo
The Nebbiolo grape is bigger, darker, bolder and more tannic than most. Heavy and complex it can often have a bitter edge. It is notoriously problematic and difficult to control. A behemoth in flavor, the Nebbiolo grape is fairly tough and resistant.
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Hero: Flash
Super speed, energetic, young, well liked, vigorous, light on his feet.
Grape: Gamay
Not a grape to be taken too seriously, the Gamay grape is what a Boujeouas wine is made from. It is vigorous with shallow roots, the wine is usually light, swift and quaff-able and meant to be drunk quickly/young.
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Hero: Iron Man
Modern, technological, experimental and inventive, rich, super genius, blending of tech and man.
Grape: Pinotage
An industrial created crossbreed between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut created in 1925. Pinotage was created to have the best of both worlds, the elegance Pinot with the strength of Cinsaut. It is thick skinned, young and rich and a uniquely individual fruit. Pinotage has no old world style so each tasting can be an experimental adventure.
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Hero: Rogue
Soaks up the powers of others, untouchable, young, can do damage or be damaged herself if not careful.
Grape: Grenache
The great red blending grape, Grenache takes on a new sense of power and newfound flavors when mixed with others. The vines are sturdy and is a survivor of less than perfect conditions. Grenache wine softens harsher partners but is prone to oxidations and damage from them.
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Hero: Gambit
Cajun French, cocky, suave ladies man, sweet talker, charging power, conversion of energy, agility, hypnotic charm.
Grape: Viognier
This white grape can be potentially powerful, rich and complex. It is a sweet seducer and has a distinctive appeal to women, exuding sweet floral notes. It is an intense French grape, with super charged enticing aromas, smooth, low acidity, often pairs with outspoken French cheeses. An energetic and flamboyant tasting wine.
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Hero: Wonder Woman
Strong, golden, classical, tough, sexy, Olympic athleticism, accomplished warrior, steel-like indestructible bracelets.
Grape: Chardonnay
Often full bodied and plentiful, Chardonnay can be either crisp and steel like or soft and golden. An agile and accomplished grape, more often than not it is classical and dependable. Considered one of the legendary noble grapes.
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Hero: Iceman
Manipulates all things ice, impervious to cold, sweet personality but can be moody, travels on self made slick ice bridges.
Grape: Riesling
The Riesling grape is often made into ice wine by freezing grapes on the vine: sweet and complex. Also made into dessert wines from the noble rot of late harvest. The vines often face external physical danger, defying the cold to become bold and sweet. But not all Rieslings are sweet. Impervious to cold, it thrives in icy climates and can taste sharp and steely. In moderate climates, it can taste full, smooth and slick.
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Villain: Catwoman
Dangerous thief, creamy skin, sharp claws, comes out fighting, deceivingly sexy sweet.
Grape: Sémillon
This white grape can have intense sweetness or vigorous dryness. It likes sunny days and cool nights. When attacked by botrytis mold, sugar and acid intensifies and comes out fighting, causing the feeling of sexy viscosity in a glass. Dry Semillon can be mistaken for the sharp clawed Sauvignon Blanc but in a coat of creamy honey. When older, Semillon loves richer fish such as salmon with cream sauce.
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Villain: Poison Ivy
Green, seductive, mean streak, zesty, sharp criminal mind, immunity to bacteria and fungi, thrives in sunlight.
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
A vigorous grower, this green skinned, grassy crisp white is widely and deeply planted. Its aromatic style can go from aggressively herbal to sweetly hot house tropical. It performs well in sunny climates without high heat. When paired with Semillion, it turns into the powerful duo of Sauternes.
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Villain: Mystique
Shapeshifter, genetic mutant with blue skin capable of masquerading as anyone, morphing used to adapt to different situations.
Grape: Pinot Grigio (Gris)
Thought to be a genetic mutant of the Pinot Noir grape, Pinot Grigio is a grayish blue fruit. The wine color produced can morph from deep gold, to copper, even light pink or salmony yellow. Depending on the maker, this wine can go from subtle, innocuous and invisible, to powerful flavors and extremely aromatic, and even agile lightweight, lean or peppery. Very versatile with many foods and many situations.
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Of course there are many more grapes and many more superheroes, but it’s a start. You’ve taken your first step into a larger world.
Welcome.
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Tags: Batman, Beast, Cabernet Sauvignon, Catwoman, Chardonnay, Gamay, Gambit, grape varieties, grapes, Grenache, Hulk, Iceman, Iron Man, Merlot, Mystique, Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio, pinot gris, Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Poison Ivy, Primitivo, Riesling, Rogue, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion, Spiderman, Superheroes, Superman, syrah, The Flash, Villains, viognier, Wolverine, Wonder Woman, zinfandel
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Very exciting news…
Am I in the mood for a new wine movie? Hell yes. But this time it’s not about a couple of guys and their feelings in the hills of Santa Barbara, or the rough and tumble years of Napa wine country in the 1970’s.
It’s a new feature film written by Wine Unfiltered’s very own Thomas Krajewski, called “Bad Vintage”. Variety Magazine reported on the new deal with Ten Four Pictures in Los Angeles, hoping to shoot next summer! It’s a hitman comedy about a guy who forges copies of an antique wine bottle, and tries to sell them off to a beautiful Napa Valley millionaire. See the blurb of the deal in Variety here.
What does Tom have to say about his new film venture? ”This is the most exciting thing to happen to me in a long time, and I’m glad the hard work has paid off. You have no idea how difficult it was to creatively rewrite all the stolen Simpsons jokes I put into it!” Tom summarizes the movie as such: “A Boston hitman named Marcus Finn wants out of the business. So when he comes into possession of a priceless bottle of wine from Thomas Jefferson’s collection, he heads to Napa Valley in hopes of selling it to his mark — a gorgeous millionaire. Getting greedy, he begins forging more copies of the same bottle to sell to her friends. Unfortunately, gangsters are tracking Marcus down in order to collect a hefty debt owed by his sleazy, late brother. Now Marcus must avoid his enemies in wine country while trying to pull off his con, and at the same time trying not to fall in love with his mark”.
I personally am a sucker for hitman comedies. Mix that with a little vino and I’m hooked. We will keep you posted on the development of this fun new wine film as it goes along.
Congratulations, Tom. I couldn’t be more proud.
Tags: antique wine, Bad Vintage, comedy, feature film, film, hitman, Ten Four Pictures, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Krajewski, Variety, wine movie
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You’re really into wine and you haven’t heard of the wine movie “Bottle Shock”?! Okay, go rent it right now and I’ll wait for you to get back.
You back yet?
Good. Now for those of you that don’t know, this film came out in limited release last year and you probably never saw a commercial for it. And I’m pretty sure they didn’t have a promo deal with TACO BELL, though it would have given me an excuse to go grab one of their awesome Grilled Steak Stuft Burritos.
The movie is definitely worth a viewing. Now it’s good, not great. But it’ll make you want to crack open a bottle and have a few drinks with friends as you watch it. The gorgeous Napa/Sonoma scenery and wineries are both invigorating and breathtaking. And though the story doesn’t completely grab you, the actors will: the always awesome Alan Rickman (DIE HARD), Bill Pullman (INDEPENDENCE DAY), and Chris Pine (the new CAPTAIN KIRK).
Based on the true story of the blind Paris wine tasting of 1976 – known as the “Judgment of Paris” – the film follows the Chateau Montelena winery, determined to prove to the world that France isn’t the only place where great wine can be found or made. This singular event changed the course of American winemaking history, and you might actually learn something. Like what the young people were wearing before you were born! And trust me, it ain’t pretty!
So you go watch that, and please let me know what you thought of it. As for me, I’m heading to Taco Bell… Please don’t tell my girlfriend…
Tags: 1976, alan rickman, bill pullman, bottle shock, chateau montelena, chris pine, France, movie, napa, paris, Wine
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Seems like I’ve been on a Japanese kick lately, but I can’t help it if I find this stuff.
Leave it to the Japanese to take wine and put it in a genre that is pretty wine foreign. Comic books. Man, these are my kind of wine geeks. The comic called KAMI NO SHIZUKU is about a guy called Shizuku Kanzaki whose father is a famous wine critic. He dies and leaves in his will, a description of 12 wine he thinks are the best on earth and makes some sort of comparison to the 12 apostles. The first person to find these “disciples” with inherit his whole collection. His adopted bro works as a wine critic and they are both after the wines.
Apparently if you’re Japanese and can draw, somehow you are able to make this concept interesting. If I tried something like this, I’d have no friends left.
Not only that, but they have taken the comic and turned it into a TV series. It’s been out for a while, so this news is not new to them, but I’d be surprised if tons of people in the U.S. knew about it.
Here is the TV adaptation poster, which looks a little like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Wine or something. Any comic wine geeks, check out the links below. Hopefully there are more than three of us in America.
Shizuku TV series
manga comic kami no shizuku
Tags: adaptation, comic book, Harry Potter, Japan, TV series, Wine
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I know what you’re thinking — “I’d really like to watch a Japanese remake of SIDEWAYS, but what are the chances of that happening? One in a gabillion?” Nope, it’s actually one in one (If that makes sense). Yes, the Japanese are getting revenge on America, by now remaking OUR films, starting with SIDEWAYS. And why not? After all, the film’s original writer/director Alexander Payne has given this new version his blessing. Check out the trailer on the official movie website HERE and let me know what you think. I also had my brother translate it from Japanese (as best he could) if you’re curious.
Translation:
"The most pathetic two men of Japan, chosen by Hollywood."
"Huh?"
"Do we even look like the kind of guys you'd serve wine to in the first
place?"
(gurgles) "Yummy."
"I feel like... really..." (unintelligible)
"The shortest distance isn't necessarily the best route."
"Come on in!" (splashing water)
(unintelligible) "...that the customer is God!" (gulps
wine)
"To you adults who never took side trips. Sideways."
Don’t you wish I didn’t have it translated?
Tags: international, Japan, Merlot, movie, Red Wine, Sideways
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