The runaway success of this multi-award winning film put the bucolic wine region in the spotlight. The Windmill Inn, which played a key role in the film, is now the Sideways Inn and there’s a “Sideways Wine Tour” for the film’s fans. The film not only changed the landscape of the region but also impacted the wine market across the US. Sales of Merlot tanked while Pinot Noir skyrocketed.
“Sure, the film ignited sales in the region, with all these crazy people trying to relive the film,” commented veteran winemaker, Bryan Babcock when I met him at the recent 38th Santa Barbara Vintners Festival. Babcock’s tasting room in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA (American Viticultural Area) was inundated by hordes of fans ready to discover this laidback wine region tucked along California’s Central Coast. Babcock’s theory, however, is that this explosion was predisposed. “Santa Barbara County was ready to explode anyway,” he insisted. “The movie just kicked it into high gear.” Dick Doré, veteran winemaker and co-founder of Foxen Vineyard & Winery, said, “Our tasting room went from 200 to 1,000 people; sales skyrocketed. “Sideways” took the shine off the bottle, made it human. It made wine real to a lot of people.”
Denne historien er fra Spring 2023-utgaven av Sommelier India.
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Denne historien er fra Spring 2023-utgaven av Sommelier India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Intimate and Welcoming
Reserve a table at AI Garamond in the centre of Turin for a taste of authentic Piedmonteset and Sicilian cuisine
Tribute to the Kerala Kitchen
Kappa Chakka Kandhari is a restaurant like no other. Chef Regi Mathew, the presiding genius, speaks to Kaveri Ponnapa about how the award-winning restaurant, specialising in the homecooking of Kerala, came into being
SWIRLING IN THE DIGITAL ERA - How social media is influencing wine culture
The ever-evolving world of wine is currently witnessing a significant shift towards social media. Devati Mallick steers us through the many ways one can navigate the digital landscape with a simple click, tap, or swipe
Bottling It - The times they are a-changing
Wine in glass bottles has been traditional for a very long time but now change is a-foot, says Carol Wright. The carbon foot print of the glass bottle is not planet friendly
BANDOL - The ruby in the Provence crown
If you thought Provence was only about rosés, you are wrong. Bandol, one of the more prestigious appellations of Provence, is renowned for its bold and structured red wines. Here's what Elizabeth Gabay MW has to say
A Splendid Septet of Wines
Raymond Blake tastes seven vintages of the Burgundy premier cru, Gevrey-Chambertin 'Aux Combottes', from Domaine Dujac, owned by the Seysses family
CYPRUS Dawn of a New Era
On a recent visit to Cyprus, Rosemary George MW is struck by the island's numerous indigenous grape varieties and high altitude vineyards
Madeira The world's longest living wine
Carol Wright on what makes Madeira the 'hottest' thing in wine
AT THE FOOT OF MOUNT ETNA
Altitude, fertile volcanic ash, and abundant sunlight create a unique environment for vineyards
Putting their best foot forward
Craig Wedge is bullish about the rising quality of Australian wines entering the Indian market
