Yes. One of the most eloquent moments in the movie comes when Miles and the wine-savvy waitress he is courting discuss the characteristics of the pinot noir grape as a metaphor for life.
They discuss the difficulty of growing the grape, the inconsistency of its rewards, its dependence on terroir, the ethereal joy of finding that one superlative bottle of Burgundy among twenty or fifty others of no consequence, with lots of tight shots of meaningful glances into each other's eyes.
Miles also makes clear his contempt for forgettable Merlot, oak-splintered and over-malolactated Chardonnay, flabby Cabernet Franc, and highly extracted New World style Cabernet Sauvignon. They mock the big tourist-infested winery tasting rooms, in a hilarious scene that I am pretty sure was shot at the Fess Parker winery in Los Olivos.
If you are a sommelier, you will want very much to see the movie. It is by far the most wine-centered movie ever made. And it's a darn good flick too, although you definitely don't want to take your mom or your kids along with you. It richly deserves its R rating.
-ccm
Thanks for the detailed reply. I'm not much inclined to support anything the Hollywood crowd produces, but I'll buy/rent the DVD based on your endorsement. I understand it is up for Best Picture Oscar so it must have something going for it. However - I seem remember a sick film about a cannibal in recent years that took that title, so much for credibility. Guess I'll just have to filter the 'wine' part out of it.
While most of the wine info in the movie was spot on, I was surprised by Miles's choice of the '61 Cheval Blanc. It is usually composed with about 2/3s of "FLABBY" Cabernet Franc in the final blend. It was the one thing that did not ring true to me.
I have not seen the movie yet but I have been to the Fess Parker Winery. The American Tradition Pinot Noir can hold up to anything French. His Syrah is something to chew on and enjoy. Long live Pinot Noir!!