Review of Bottle Shock (2008) by Stuart K — 01 Feb 2011

Based on an amazing true story, this is an amusing little comedy about an underdog and how they changed the world of wine forever. It has a very good cast, and the sun-kissed vineyards glow beautifully on film.

It's not perfect, but it's a good companion piece to Sideways (2004). In 1976, British sommelier Steven Spurrier (Alan Rickman), based in Paris, but his business is struggling as he only has French wines in his store.

He's told by his American neighbour Maurice (Dennis Farina) about wines from Napa Valley, California. Which has loads of vinyards, but isn't famous for it. Spurrier travels there, and becomes acquainted with the Barrett family, who have been trying to make Chateau Montelena in the area, but patriach Jim Barrett (Bill Pullman) has been struggling financially, despite the fact that his son Bo (Chris Pine) has good ideas for the company.

But, Spurrier is able to get some bottles of wine, and has them sent over to France for his Judgment of Paris taste test, but with the Barrett business in a bad financial way, will they succeed and beat the French?? It's a good little story, with a good cast, Rickman is amusing as Spurrier, and it's got a gentle sense of humour, but it does feel a little shallow and hollow, even if it does focus on a significent American victory over the French.