It was a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…
Seriously, this is the most ridiculous premise for a film ever. Plus the trailer amounts to, “Git ‘Er Done! Americaaans can make fain wain tooo!” and features Cali red necks that make Napa Valley wine good enough stand up next to French wine which baffles snooty oenophile and critic played by an insufferably British Alan Rickman.
Based on a true story, “Bottle Shock” chronicles the events leading up to the famous Paris Tastings of 1976, wherein Napa wines bested the exalted French wines in a blind tasting and put California wines on the map for good. The story is told through the lives of father and son, Jim (Bill Pullman) and Bo Barrett (Chris Pine), who founded Chateau Montelena in the early 1970s and whose Chardonnay went on to win what was eventually coined “Judgment of Paris.” Jim Barrett, who had been a successful real estate attorney previously, is emblematic of the California vintners’ spirit – mavericks who had come to Napa on a quest to make world class wines.
Seriously? The film also stars Eliza Dushku, Freddy Rodriguez and Rachael Taylor. When’s it coming out? August 8, in what will surely be limited release. Why are we writing about this? Slow day…
