McCLAIN: Well, it’s a documentary celebrating merlot wine in response to Sideways, but we also try to examine the general influence of pop culture. The last third of film is mostly an exploration of wine. There are literally thousands of varieties in the world, so it’s just encouraging people to get out of their comfort zone and experience, get out and try something new because that’s the most enjoyable part of wine and of life. If people are trying new things and exploring something like the effect of “Sideways” can’t happen again.
CT: What has been the reception so far?
McCLAIN: It’s been really great. When you get an audience together, especially people who are new to wine, they really have fun. I think it sets them at ease little more, and they feel comfortable exploring wine. Some people expecting an expose style documentary see it and wonder where all the grit and dirt is, but we didn’t want to fall into that tradition. We wanted to make a film that was fun and just celebrated wine. It’s not typical.
CT: How do you think it encourages people to explore wine on their own?
McCLAIN: A lot of the people in the movie — when you see them on paper in magazines and in the wine world — they seem really serious and intimidating. In the movie they are talking about merlot and wine in general in a way that almost gives permission to get out there in the world and enjoy, have fun. The whole culture is about enjoying the wine and discovering what you like, and having the right to say a wine is crap even if it’s expensive or has a high numeric rating. It makes it not so intimidating, which is refreshing.
CT: How do you feel about this Wednesday?
McCLAIN: I’m really excited. I saw John Boyer’s online interview about “Merlove” and it was really heartening to see that he completely got it. The whole thing about pop culture spinning out of control, how he tells his students to get out there and go try new wines for themselves. He totally gets it. To have him embrace the movie and to say, “Hey we can get a big crowd together,” it makes me excited to come out. Also, Boyer seems like the perfect person with great enthusiasm, which is good because I want to learn more about Virginia culturally. I feel like I always hear about things about the state, so I mean, what is it about Virginia anyway?
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A version of this article appeared in the May 5 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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