Posted on 06/04/2005 10:55:56 AM PDT by pissant
Tired of Chardonnay? Alsace offers an alternative to the tyranny of oak.
I hope there's a sequel to "Sideways," the wine-soaked movie that's had a dramatic impact on American consumers.
Since lead character Miles gushed about Pinot Noir as "haunting and brilliant," U.S. sales of Pinot are up more than 30 percent. Meanwhile, Merlot -- which Miles scorned as imbecilic -- has slumped.
"Sideways" was the funniest Hollywood treatment of wine since Lucy Ricardo stomped grapes in Italy. But I don't want a sequel for artistic reasons.
I want Miles to come back and trash Chardonnay.
Just like Merlot, Chardonnay is a cliché, the wine they serve when anything will do.
It's the wine you drink without thinking, the one that goes with processed cheese and Town House crackers.
There are plenty of sophisticated, nuanced versions of Chardonnay, to be sure. But those are not the ones that have made it the nation's best-selling white wine.
America is awash in ordinary Chardonnay, and a backlash needs to emerge. "Sideways: Part Deux" would do the trick.
Opening up Alsace
A coworker likens Chardonnay to "a sledgehammer to my head." Another friend -- normally a bit of a lush -- becomes a picture of sobriety when it is her only choice.
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
Her exact words, as I recall
Get that bastard off of my screen!
I did not say that!!
Sandra Oh did. With you, it's understood. ;o)
I'll discuss it with her and we'll get back to you.
Bring Magnums.
Of course.
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