Sideways

Sideways, a 2004 film by Alexander Payne of the eponymous book by Rex Pickett about a wine enthusiast’s adventures in the central coast. One of its themes was the superiority of Pinot Noir over the then-popular Merlot. It had an immediate effect on demand for varietal Pinot Noir, particularly in the US—to such an extent that it resulted in a global shortage of bulk Pinot. One Languedoc supplier managed to sell gallo vast quantities of a Grenache blend masquerading as varietal Pinot Noir until being found guilty of adulteration and fraud. An earlier edition of this volume figured prominently in the book but not the film. See also films about wine.