Another true story

One of the film critics I listen to says the sure way to know if a movie is pure fiction is if the poster says "based on a true story."

Bottle Shock (2008), "Based on a true story of love, victory, and fermentation," is enjoyable enough, but nothing of great weight.

The true story upon which it is based is fabulous. The movie was inspired by the 1976 blind wine tasting arranged by British wine dealer Steven Spurrier (played by Alan Rickman in the film) that pitted French wines against wines from California. It was a complete upset as the French experts judged the California wines as not only competitive, but actually superior to the French in two categories: the chardonnay from Chateau Montelena (featured in the film) and a cabernet sauvingnon from Stag's Leap.

Alan Rickman's character, no surprise, shines as the most intriguing of the bunch. And his American ex-pat friend Maurice (Dennis Farina) is a hilarious foil. The Californian-storyline and characters, however, feel contrived and never ring true. There is this father-son tension that you never quite care about as neither is likable (and the surfer-dude son's wig was a constant distraction for me), an alleged love triangle with no love or sizzle, and a hint of race/class issues that is never fleshed out (but left me wishing for more about Gustavo Brambilla and other Mexican-American winemakers in California).

Interested in the historical event? All indications are that you would be best served by reading George Taber's 2005 book Judgment of Paris. (I'm putting it on my "to read" list.)

Love Alan Rickman and gorgeous scenery of California vinyards? See this movie. It's enjoyable enough.

Oh yes, and the title/term "bottle shock" is what happens to wine when it is transported. You know, like when you move your ficus tree across the room. It just needs some time to recover.

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