Charming and original…
A quaint story that starts off in a stuffy wine academy and wine connoisseur/owner Steven Spurrier (Alan Rickman) is looking to increase his customer base and decides to hold a French versus Californian wine blind tasting competition to achieve this.
Basically, this story is about smashing the myth that french wine is the best wine and of course all the usual elements (love, father-son relationships, best friend betrayal) are in there as well.
I especially loved the scene in the pub where Spurrier has around 20 bottles of Californian wine open in front of him and is tasting them in disbelief at how good they are.
Spurrier was my favourite character but the Barretts were an interesting bunch as well and they made up the traditional feel good story elements.
For example: Jim Barrett (Bill Pullman) was a man trying to make his dreams of owning a successful winery come true. The Californian wine maker was a touching character and his character personified ‘success is never taking the easy path’. And the other main character Bo Barrett (Chris Pine) – what a dumb name, Bo. Oh well – was the usual loser/rebel son who ‘found’ himself throughout the movie.
Good watch. You do hanker after a glass of wine afterward!!! ***
