09/13/2007
Chris Sawyer: The Man, the Myth, the
Sommelier
By Dan Dunn
I was on Interstate 580 between Oakland and San Francisco when my iPod shuffled from Winger’s “She’s Only 17” to Mozart’s “Symphony No. 40,” the road-trip soundtrack equivalent of a groin tear. Fortunately, I arrived at my destination – the ambrosial wine country of Sonoma – without any unmelodious sonic segues of Bach-to-Gerardo proportions occurring.
Of the many things I genuinely appreciated about the Sonoma Valley Film Festival, foremost among them was the inclusion of renowned wine expert Christopher Sawyer, a friendly chap who, as the Fest’s official sommelier, owned the unique responsibility of pairing wine with movies. Says Sawyer, “I find angles or themes that can bring both together. For instance, if you want to add some color to a classic black and white film like ‘The Thin Man,’ pair it with a robust red like the Ravenswood 2003 Zinfandel, Barricia Vineyard, Sonoma Valley or the Outpost 2003 Zinfandel, Howell Mountain.”
Pretty nifty, eh? That’s the kind of talent a guy could develop and really put to use working the ladies at the wine bars. To that end I threw out a few random film titles and asked Sawyer to do his thing so that you, my friends, can better see how it works:
THE GODFATHER: “Epic, colossal movie that stabs at the heart of Old World meets New World. Try the Monte Volpe 2002 Peppolino, a delightful blend of Sangiovese, Negroamaro and Montepulciano grape varieties, in this case all grown in Mendocino County. It’s a versatile wine with a good amount of body, instead of bodies!”
JERRY MAGUIRE: “Jock supporter (Tom Cruise) discovers he actually has a heart. Definitely a Merlot movie -- soft middle but powerful around the edges. Try the St. Francis 2001 Merlot, Behler Vineyard, Sonoma Valley.”
LEAVING LAS VEGAS: “Okay, depressed man on the verge of suicide. No brainier -- 32 ounces of Charles Shaw (a.k.a Two Buck Chuck) on the rocks; use a straw for maximum impact.”
E.T.: “I was only 13 years old when E.T. first hit the big screen, but I certainly remember how well it went with Reese’s Pieces and popcorn. Since I’m now of age, I’d pair the famous alien flick with a rich white wine with nice candied fruit and citrus notes, such as the Acacia 2004 Chardonnay, Winery Lake Vineyard, Carneros or the Gundlach-Bundschu 2004 Estate Chardonnay, Rhinefarm, Sonoma Valley.”
By Dan Dunn
I was on Interstate 580 between Oakland and San Francisco when my iPod shuffled from Winger’s “She’s Only 17” to Mozart’s “Symphony No. 40,” the road-trip soundtrack equivalent of a groin tear. Fortunately, I arrived at my destination – the ambrosial wine country of Sonoma – without any unmelodious sonic segues of Bach-to-Gerardo proportions occurring.
Of the many things I genuinely appreciated about the Sonoma Valley Film Festival, foremost among them was the inclusion of renowned wine expert Christopher Sawyer, a friendly chap who, as the Fest’s official sommelier, owned the unique responsibility of pairing wine with movies. Says Sawyer, “I find angles or themes that can bring both together. For instance, if you want to add some color to a classic black and white film like ‘The Thin Man,’ pair it with a robust red like the Ravenswood 2003 Zinfandel, Barricia Vineyard, Sonoma Valley or the Outpost 2003 Zinfandel, Howell Mountain.”
Pretty nifty, eh? That’s the kind of talent a guy could develop and really put to use working the ladies at the wine bars. To that end I threw out a few random film titles and asked Sawyer to do his thing so that you, my friends, can better see how it works:
THE GODFATHER: “Epic, colossal movie that stabs at the heart of Old World meets New World. Try the Monte Volpe 2002 Peppolino, a delightful blend of Sangiovese, Negroamaro and Montepulciano grape varieties, in this case all grown in Mendocino County. It’s a versatile wine with a good amount of body, instead of bodies!”
JERRY MAGUIRE: “Jock supporter (Tom Cruise) discovers he actually has a heart. Definitely a Merlot movie -- soft middle but powerful around the edges. Try the St. Francis 2001 Merlot, Behler Vineyard, Sonoma Valley.”
LEAVING LAS VEGAS: “Okay, depressed man on the verge of suicide. No brainier -- 32 ounces of Charles Shaw (a.k.a Two Buck Chuck) on the rocks; use a straw for maximum impact.”
E.T.: “I was only 13 years old when E.T. first hit the big screen, but I certainly remember how well it went with Reese’s Pieces and popcorn. Since I’m now of age, I’d pair the famous alien flick with a rich white wine with nice candied fruit and citrus notes, such as the Acacia 2004 Chardonnay, Winery Lake Vineyard, Carneros or the Gundlach-Bundschu 2004 Estate Chardonnay, Rhinefarm, Sonoma Valley.”
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