The 2004 wine-soaked comedy “Sideways” inspired people around the country to flock to their local markets to sip a glass of red or white. The movie, which was about two friends who tour California’s wine, spread vast enthusiasm for wine in general. Despite all of its apparent successes, the movie also produced another side effect: It put a cork in sales of merlot.
In the movie, Paul Giamatti consistently puts down merlot, which he feels is simply a mediocre variety of wine, while hailing pinot noir as a much-preferred grape. In one scene, Giamatti and actor Thomas Haden Church begin to argue over this debate, which results in Giamatti enthusiastically responding, “No, if anyone orders merlot I’m leaving. I’m not drinking any fucking merlot!”
His abhorrence for the wine led manywine drinkers to think twice about the grape, leading to a sort of “fall from grace” for merlot with sales dropping in the United States.
Newly released wine documentary “Merlove” attempts to combat this “Sideways” effect by celebrating not only merlot wine but also encouraging viewers to embark on their own personal journey throughout the vast wine industry without being swayed by the influence of pop culture.
In the film, producer and director Rudolf McClain offers a glimpse into the wine industry through interviews and commentary from wine makers around the world. Professor John Boyer discovered the film while doing research for his Geography of Wine class. After he had watched the film, Boyer contacted and convinced McClain to come show the independent film in Blacksburg, predicting its success in a small town of big wine drinkers.
McClain agreed and will be flying in from Sonoma, Ca., for the screening as well as for a Q&A following the film. The event, which will be held at the Lyric, will also feature glasses of merlot for sale during and after the event. On his way to the airport, McClain took time to answer a few questions about the film and the event, as well as to pose a few of his own regarding our intrigue of the Old Dominion.
CT: What gave you an interest in filmmaking?
McCLAIN: I don’t know really. I got out of college and I had this horrible job. I sat myself down one day and asked what do I really want to do?
A version of this article appeared in the May 5 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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