8 movies about wine you need to watch

1 Drops of God

“Drops of God” is a television series based on the manga series of the same name. A woman discovers the world’s greatest wine collection that’s left by her estranged father Alexandre Léger, creator of the famous Léger Wine Guide and emblematic figure in oenology, and competes against his protege to claim her inheritance.

2 Somm

Becoming a Master Sommelier is no easy thing. The 2012 documentary Somm describes it as ‘the hardest exam you’ve never heard of’. The film follows a group of friends as they prepare for the exam. It’s a look behind the scenes at a little-known community.

3 Sideways

In 2004 the movie Sideways, starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, debuted and was a critical and commercial success. “Sideways” follows two friends on a wine-soaked road trip through California’s vineyards, exploring themes of friendship, love, and midlife crises against the backdrop of wine tasting and self-discovery.

Throughout the movie, he lovingly talks about Pinot Noir and criticizes Merlot. Merlot sales dropped 2% because of the movie, but Pinot Noir sales skyrocketed. The Wine Industry came to call this “the Sideways effect.“

4 A Year in Burgundy

“A Year in Burgundy” is a documentary that immerses viewers in the seasonal rhythms and winemaking traditions of the Burgundy region in France, offering a detailed look at the lives and work of seven winemaking families. Through stunning visuals and personal stories, the film captures the essence of Burgundy’s terroir and the dedication required to produce some of the world’s most esteemed wines.

5 Barolo Boys

“Barolo Boys. The Story of a Revolution” is a 2014 documentary about young winemakers in the ’80s and ’90s who transformed Barolo wine in Italy’s Langhe region now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The film, which won the DOC Wine Travel Food Prize 2014, highlights the technical innovations and changes introduced by the Barolo Boys, making Barolo one of the world’s best red wines.

6 Sour Grapes

Sour Grapes is a documentary about Rudy Kurniawan, a charming fraudster who sold fake rare wine, and Bill Koch, the billionaire who exposed him. This film shows how Kurniawan tricked collectors and industry insiders into paying for fake wine. On a more philosophical level it reveals how subjective wine tasting can be and how your expectations – of price, provenance and quality – can skew your experience.

7 Red Obsession

Red Obsession is a film of two halves. One part talks to top winemakers in Bordeaux, unpacking what makes the region’s top wines so special. The other part looks at the ups and downs of the wine business from boom to 2008 bust and then the surge of Chinese interest in French wine and the soaring prices that have resulted. This film shows just how big the wine business really is. It’s a very watchable documentary for anyone.

8 A Good Year

“A Good Year” stars Russell Crowe as a London banker who inherits a vineyard in Provence, France, leading to a journey of self-discovery, romance, and a newfound appreciation for life amidst the beauty of the French countryside. This charming film celebrates the transformative power of wine, love, and the pursuit of happiness in the idyllic setting of a picturesque vineyard.

Join Us