Published the 03/23/2020 in Our Selection
It's not always easy to find good movies to watch during rainy days or when you simply can't or don't want to do anything else but stay in. Perhaps you would like to broaden your knowledge about wine and the culture around wine at the same time. For this purpose, we have selected a few movies, documentaries, books and MOOCs that you can't afford to miss. Today, we start with films and documentaries, let's go!
Comedy. A true classic of the genre! Set during a road trip in Napa Valley, California, where a debate lingers: Merlot vs. Pinot Noir.
To see on Youtube or Google Play.
To watch with: a glass of Merlot, what a question!
Comedy. Alan Rickman in the role of a somewhat snobby Englishman, who goes to find out if the rumour that California wines are better than French wines is true!
To be seen on Amazon Prime (US) or iTunes.
What do you drink with it? Napa Valley chardonnay, compared to a Burgundy maybe...
Romantic Comedy. Cédric Klapisch takes us to Burgundy. After an absence of 10 years, Jean returns to his hometown when his father falls ill. He reunites with his sister Juliette and his brother Jérémie, who must rebuild their relationship and trust as a family.
The alternative: Premier Cru, also a family drama about Burgundy wines.
To see on Youtube or Google Play.
To watch with: a glass of Burgundy of course.
Romantic Comedy. Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard in a romantic comedy in the middle of the vineyards of Provence. A British investment broker inherits his uncle's castle and vineyard in Provence, where he spent much of his childhood. He discovers a new lifestyle as he tries to renovate the estate to sell it. Is he going to sell it? We'll let you guess!
See it on Youtube or Google Play.
What are we drinking? A Provence rosé!
Dramatic comedy. Gérard Depardieu and Benoit Poelvoorde meet for a comedy where a father and his son set off on the wine route. A film full of poetry and sweetness, signed by the duo Benoit Delépine - Gustave Kervern.
What are we drinking? A glass of Saint-Amour, a Beaujolais appellation.
To see on Youtube or Google Play, and available on MyCanal.
Drama. A great classic about the consequences of the 1930s crisis in the United States. What's the alternative? The Harvest of Fire, more recent (1995), a romantic drama in the 1940s in the United States.
To watch with: an old vintage from the cellars.
Available on MyCanal.
A documentary on the profession of sommelier. Fascinating, especially for those pondering going down this path! Somm: in the bottle and Somm 3 are also available on Netflix.
What to drink with it? Anything you can get your hands on if you want to practice!
Probably the most famous wine documentary. Mondovino stages the conflicts that can exist between industry magnates, the scientific view of oenologists and the more traditional visions of wine.
To be accompanied by: a wine by Robert Mondavi perhaps?
One of the biggest swindles of the last decades, Sour Grapes tells the story of Rudy Kurniawan, who will be sentenced to ten years in prison for counterfeiting fine wines in 2014. This is an opportunity to look into a case that says a lot about the frenzy of the markets and the credulity of the small world of wine lovers.
Available on Netflix.
What do you drink with it? A grand cru, but make sure it's real!
Wine Calling, a documentary about biodynamic practices, is available on Amazon Prime. The Wine Magician: direction Savennières to meet the pope of biodynamic wines. This short 14-minute documentary is available on Youtube, and gives a first glimpse of these practices.
What to drink with it? A glass of Coulée de Serrant, or another Chenin Blanc from the Loire!
That's all for today, and that's pretty good. Any more? Feel free to give us your recommendations.
We'll be back at the end of the week with a new selection!