Cork, Wine, Camera

Cork, Wine, Camera
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Top 10 Films for Wine Fans

Sit down and pour yourself a glass of wine to accompany these ten films, in the comfort of your own home.

Sideways (2004)

Based on the book of the same name by Rex Pickett, it tells the story of two men in their mid-forties. While one is an unhappy teacher and unsuccessful writer, the other has already passed his zenith as an actor. Together, the friends embark on a bachelor party in the wine-growing region of Santa Barbara County. The film was nominated for an Oscar in several categories and won one for best adapted screenplay. 

A Good Year (2006)

Cult director Ridley Scott adapted the book by Peter Mayle into a film. The story revolves around banker Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) who inherits a vineyard in Provence from his uncle. He doesn't want to give up his life as a workaholic in London, so he travels to Provence to sell the domaine. Once there, he quickly succumbs to the charms of the landscape and the people, and falls in love with the beautiful Fanny Chenal (Marion Cotillard). When a lost cousin claims the inheritance for herself, Max Skinner sees his new life is in danger.

Wine Country (2019)

Particularly good for those celebrating their birthday: watch Amy Poehler celebrate her 50th in this comedy – raising and drinking a glass of wine to herself to boot. Together with her friends, Poehler takes a wine tasting road trip to California's Napa Valley, which has many funny moments and tears of laughter in store for the viewer.

SOMM 1-3 (2013, 2015, 2018)

The first part of the documentary series follows four candidates on their way through the Master Sommelier exam, one of the toughest and most selective challenges in the wine world. Part two, entitled 'Into the Bottle', describes the history of wine in ten bottles that are opened in the course of the film. The third part is all about tasting. It is accompanied by two tastings – one in New York, one in Paris – where the great and good of the wine world appear, including Aldo Sohm and Jancis Robinson.

Back to Burgundy (2017)

Drama-comedy about the three siblings Jean, Juliette and Jérémie. Their father falls ill and they have to manage the grape harvest from the family vineyard together. They haven't seen each other for a long time and when they meet, old quarrels bubble up again. Will they manage to pull together or will they go their separate ways?

Bottle Shock (2008)

The comedy is set in the mid-1970s, when Californian wine did not have the status it has today. The English wine merchant Steven Spurrier plans a blind tasting of Californian versus French wines in Paris. He goes to Napa Valley for a pre-tasting. There he meets the moody winemaker Jim Barrett, who has no interest in working with him. His son, however, who loves to drink, recognises the opportunity and wants to join Spurrier in stirring up the French wine elite.

Sour Grapes (2016)

Rudy Kurniawan, considered the greatest wine forger of all time, is the focus of this documentary. Indonesian Kurniawan (whose real name is Zhen Wang Huang) was initially a major player at auctions, buying and selling the only very best, including Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, which is why he became known as 'Dr. Conti'. In the mid-2000s, he became a dazzling personality on the international wine scene, was considered a manic collector and a connoisseur with far-reaching expertise. He supplied celebrities and wealthy customers with the finest rarities until the FBI and an indefatigable Frenchman finally caught up with him.

Uncorked (2020)

Elijah is torn between his dream of becoming a sommelier and his family, whose restaurant he is supposed to take over. In the film, his father in particular shows no understanding for what he calls "this wine thing". Elijah, whose family never had the money to travel, sees wine as his calling and a way to 'see' all the countries he has never been to. He follows his heart and the call of wine.

Mondovino (2004)

This documentary sheds light on the globalisation of viticulture and the wine trade. Profit-optimised, multimillion-dollar, international mass-market corporations meet micro-enterprises that fill just a few bottles with characterful wines brimming with heart and soul and passion.

Blood into Wine (2010)

Written, produced and directed by Ryan Page, this documentary follows Maynard James Keenan – lead singer of the Grammy-winning progressive metal band Tool – and Eric Glomski as they realise their winery project 'Caduceus Cellars' in the desert of northern Arizona and the blood, sweat, tears and vast expenditure involved.


Marion Topitschnig
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