A movie about wine: here is how to spend an excellent evening. Indeed, there are many wine movies that will let you both have a good time and develop your culture of the wine world. So we have put together a selection to enjoy some great wine-and-cinema evenings! Among this selection, you will find a wine movie, a wine documentary, a film about Napa Valley wine, a film about natural wine and many more surprises! After all, what is better than tasting a wine in front of a good film?
Sideways (2005): a comedy about wine in California
This 2005 film is one of the first modern comedies about wine. In this film, two friends, Jack and Miles, take a road trip through the cellars of California. This journey into the heart of the California vineyard is then the occasion for these two friends to reflect on their daily lives and take a step back. This wine movie is also the occasion to discover more about winemaking in the United States. In particular, you will discover the duel that divides the wine world in the United States: pinot versus merlot. Director: Alexander Payne. Cast: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen. IMDb page.
You Will Be My Son (2011): a film about the drama of succession in wine
This film features the owner of a great Saint-Émilion estate, Paul, and his son, Martin. The latter should succeed his father, but not everything goes as planned. In particular, the return from California of the estate manager’s son brings about an interesting family drama. You Will Be My Son is one of the wine movies you have to see. Indeed, it is a particularly interesting film about the behind-the-scenes of the handover of great estates. These can be the occasion for frustrations and disputes. Furthermore, if you want to find out more about the handover of wine estates, we advise you to listen to the interview with François des Robert, senior banker at Edmond de Rothschild and wine specialist. Director: Gilles Legrand. Cast: Niels Arestrup, Lorànt Deutsch, Patrick Chesnais. IMDb page.
A Good Year (2007): the Sunday romantic comedy
In this film, Max, an investment banker, inherits a wine estate in the south of France. While he wants to sell it, he decides to renovate it to get a better price. He gradually falls in love with this estate, however. Clearly, this is not one of the best wine movies. Indeed, you risk being a little disappointed if you expect a deep and precise film about wine. It is nonetheless a classic romantic comedy that is easy to watch. An ideal film for a rainy Sunday evening. Director: Ridley Scott. Cast: Russell Crowe, Marion Cotillard, Albert Finney. IMDb page.
Saint Amour (2016): wine on the road
Between comedy and drama, Saint Amour is one of the wine movies that chooses the road trip to bring the French vineyards to life. So Saint Amour is a good wine movie. Far from being the best, it is nonetheless interesting, and the performances of the trio Depardieu, Poelvoorde, Lacoste let us immerse ourselves in the world. Directors: Benoît Delépine, Gustave Kervern. Cast: Gérard Depardieu, Benoît Poelvoorde, Vincent Lacoste. IMDb page.
Back to Burgundy (2017): one of the wine movies set in Burgundy!
Back to Burgundy features Jean, who returns to Burgundy, to the family estate, because of his father’s illness. He then has to rebuild everything, starting with the family estate, his relationship and his family. So it is a good wine movie, even if we were entitled to expect more. Indeed, we still struggle to truly immerse ourselves in the world. Director: Cédric Klapisch. Cast: Pio Marmaï, Ana Girardot, François Civil. IMDb page.
Premiers Crus (2015): another wine movie set in Burgundy
François, a Burgundy winegrower on the brink, has lost the desire to make wine. He then gives up and entrusts the estate to his son. The latter is a brilliant Parisian wine critic. He then has to show the world that he is capable of producing wine, and not just giving his opinion on it. Sometimes criticised in comparison with “Back to Burgundy”, we leave you to appreciate these two wine movies and make up your own mind! Director: Jérôme Le Maire. Cast: Gérard Lanvin, Jalil Lespert, Alice Taglioni, Laura Smet. IMDb page.
Mondovino (2004): one of the best-known wine movies
Mondovino is one of the best-known wine movies. Indeed, somewhere between documentary, film and op-ed, Mondovino stages the conflicts that can exist between the magnates of the industry, the oenologists spreading the gospel and the more traditional visions of wine. All over the world, this wine movie lets us analyse the stakes in the field of wine. So it is an excellent film for understanding the major issues of the wine industry. From Argentina, to Bordeaux, by way of New York, this wine movie lets you dive into the heart of contemporary issues in the wine world. In the end, here is a classic of wine movies not to be missed! Director: Jonathan Nossiter. IMDb page.
Bottle Shock (2008): French wines vs Californian wines, the battle!
This film, inspired by a true story, features a British oenologist who makes the choice to set off and visit the vineyards of California. His goal? To check whether the rumours are true: is Napa Valley wine supposedly better than French wine? Immersed in the atmosphere of the 1970s, this film shows the internationalisation of wine production and the surprise that reigns at that moment. Director: Randall Miller. IMDb page.
The Grapes of Wrath (1940): the historical film
The Grapes of Wrath: here is one of the oldest wine movies. This film shows an America still hit by the 1929 crisis, with only one desire: to live in a peaceful place and earn an honest living. In short, this film is a true historical and social testimony of a United States marked by the 1929 crisis. IMDb page.
Natural Resistance (2014): the film about natural wines
In this film, four Italian winemakers shine a light on their ecological dream. Their goal? To show the beauty of natural wine and of ecology for the delight of our palates. This film will not leave you unscathed and will lead you to question our methods of producing wine! IMDb page.
La Clef des Terroirs (2011): one of the committed wine movies!
In the same vein as the previous film, this film highlights the importance of biodynamic agriculture in the production of wines. So this film shows just how much respect for nature and the attention paid to it allow for the production of quality wines, original ones, showing a true expression of terroir. IMDb page.
Somm (2012): a film about the job of sommelier
Sommelier: now there’s a fine job. With this wine movie, set off to meet four sommeliers who attempt to pass the most prestigious exam in the industry.
You now have a fine list of wine movies you can enjoy to develop your knowledge of the field while having fun. However, is your favourite wine movie not in this list? Contact us and we will be glad to add it!
