On May 24, 1976, a little blind tasting occurred in Paris. France’s historic wines were being tasted and judged alongside ones from a handful of upstart California wineries.
Spoiler alert: The California wines won.
The Movie Bottle Shock tells the fictionalized story of Chateau Montelena’s rise from obscurity to triumph over a few of the top chateaux in Burgundy. It’s a story every sommelier should know, and one that has been talked about ad nauseam in every wine podcast.
Welcome to Hollywood
Like any Hollywood film “based on a true story,” Bottle Shock dramatizes the events at Chateau Montelena preceding the historic tasting. But no matter. Bill Pullman tempers his swaggering Jim Barrett with just enough sensitivity that one can’t help cheering on this lawyer who attempts his dreams of being a winery owner.
Star Trek Into Wine
Chris Pine plays Bo, Barrett’s son, a somewhat irresponsible young man attempting to grow up under the weight of his watchful father’s gaze, all while yearning for his father’s acceptance. Freddie Rodriguez as Gustavo Bambrila rounds out the cast at Montelena – he’s a winemaker working for Barrett, yet fulfilling his passions and making wine on the sly.
Harry Potter, Open this Cork!
The highlight of Bottle Shock is Alan Rickman’s portrayal of British wine merchant Steven Spurrier, owner of the now-gone Caves de la Madeleine (we miss you, Alan Rickman). Caves is Spurrier’s struggling wine shop. At the urging of the fictional Maurice (the excellent Dennis Farina), Spurrier decides to host the historic blind tasting, thus upping and going to California to choose which wines will compete. Rickman is exceptional in every scene. His Spurrier is incredible and put together, but not without a healthy sense of British deprecation.
Bottle Shock, the Movie Review
Bottle Shock is a fun movie, even if it does take liberties with the story behind the story. Filmmakers Randall Miller and Jodie Savin readily admit that Barrett’s story most moved them. Their idea was to create an authentic film that was more accurate in spirit than in actual detail.
With its great cast, Bottle Shock is sure to please. For those looking for the wine history behind the movie, pick up George Taber’s Judgment of Paris.
If you’re in the mood to kick back and enjoy a laugh or two with the exquisite Napa Valley as the backdrop, then Bottle Shock is for you. Rickman is a delight—especially in his scenes with Dennis Fari—and as far as movies about the underdog upsetting the not-so-underdog go, this is a good one.
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I agree with Molly, I would love to see “Judgement of Paris.” Although if it doesn’t get made, hopefully Ben Wallace’s “Millionaire’s Vinegar” will get green lit.
The rumored movie, Judgment of Paris, is still on the drawing board as near as anyone can figure out. No director, no cast has been attached. My gut tells me Bottle Shock will be the only film on this subject. If you do see Kamen again, please do ask…
What I’m looking forward to is the *other* film that’s been rumored to come out about The Paris Tasting – with a screenplay written by Robert Kamen. (I saw him at a tasting this week, and I’m kicking myself for not having that bit of trivia in my brain…) Seems to be on ice, but I’m dying to compare the two!