Mike Veseth, from WineEconomist (http://wineeconomist.com/), attended the Oregon Film Festival in Bend, Oregon, where “Boom Varietal: The Rise of Argentine Malbec” was premiered. In an article published by this means, he gave some details about it.
This documentary, by filmmaker Sky Pinnick and his executive producer Kirk Ermisch, according to his article, is simply irresistible.
Moreover, Mike Veseth highlighted: “Well, actually I might have been able to resist driving 6 hours from Tacoma to Bend for the premiere since the track record for wine films is so mixed. ‘Mondovino’ is a classic, of course, but it sure is long (or does it just seem that way while you’re watching it?) and it’s kinda annoying, too? Then there’s Bottleshock, the film that’s loosely based on the famous “Judgment of Paris” tasting of French versus California wines in 1976. The film is a lot of fun (the opposite of Mondo?) but just as annoying since almost every single detail is distorted for dramatic effect or commercial purpose. The best way to watch Bottleshock is to forget that there really was a Paris tasting and enjoy the pure theater of the thing.”
A Feast for the Senses
So which way would Boom Varietal go — earnest but annoying like Mondo or annoyingly commercial, like Bottleshock?
“Well, incredibly it is not annoying at all. In fact, it is completely enchanting. The first five minutes are a feast for the senses. The film captivated me, drawing me into the world of Malbec and the people and places associated with it,” said Veseth.
The most interesting thing is that the land and people of Argentina are the stars of this documentary, especially the winemakers. “Executive producer Kirk Ermisch, CEO of Southern Wine Group (US’ leading wine importer), no doubt used his industry connections in Argentina to make the film possible, but he commendably resisted the temptation to make this a promotion piece for his business,” he added.
Beyond the Malbec Boom?
“I enjoyed this film and even learned a few things from it, but I had to keep reminding myself that this is a film about Malbec, not Argentine wine more generally. Although the focus on Malbec is understandable and even appropriate for a U.S. audience (Malbec represents about 2/3 of Argentina’s wine exports to the U.S.), one thing I learned from our trip to Mendoza earlier this year is that Argentina is Malbec, but not just Malbec”, emphasized Veseth.
Besides, he added: “If Malbec boom becomes Malbec bust (and I’m not predicting it will), then Argentina will be glad that it produces many other fine wines, both red and white. Search for Argentina among the Decanter World Wine Awards results and you will see what I mean. Maybe what lies beyond Malbec boom is not Malbec bust but a growing appreciate of Argentine wine more generally. But whatever happens I think Argentina will be thankful that Malbec vaulted them onto the world stage in the first place.”
Source: Wine Economist
Tags: Boom Varietal, film, malbec, Wine Economist, “Boom Varietal”: The Rise of Argentine
Comments
Charles Ermisch »22 Octubre 2011 @ 3:29 am |
I was on the film selection committee for Bend film and I can judge ‘Boom Varietal’ from an unbiased standpoint. The cinematography is superb, as good as any mainstream film. Most of the films that come to Bend film are as if they were shot with a super 8 camera. The story line is very compelling with lots of humor. It is not an advertisement for Southern Wine Group or Malbec. The movie was trying to say, ‘Is Malbec another boom to bust,’ like tulip mania, Internet bobble, or the housing bobble explosion. I think not, since Malbec has so many nuances of flavors that come from different regions. They can be sold and marked as if they were different sub-varietals from different growing sectors.
Gerard Pandian »22 Octubre 2011 @ 10:42 am |
I would like to purchase a copy of this film on DVD.
Where and how do I get one?