Bottle Shock

On a 12 hour flight across the Pacific a few months ago, I had the pleasure of my very own mini TV screen. Filled with games, shopping, and videos, I picked out a movie I'd never even heard of: "Bottle Shock".

The movie appealed to me right from the get go. Beautiful scenery of an idealistic lifestyle, an attractive lead actor, and a subject I've grown quite fond of in recent years - wine! Set in the 1970's, this film was based on a true story of a California winery clawing for survival when it's put to the test against the unbeatable French wine. The battle between old and new traditions and expectations (French vs California wines) reminds me of a modern day "competition" forming on our grocery shelves today.

Organic & biodynamic, or traditional wine? Which is better? What are the costs, health benefits, environmental findings, etc? I think we've all heard that organic wine will lighten up your hangover because there are no added sulfates. Sulfates are supposedly what contribute to the headache of a wine hangover.
I am not a wine connoisseur, so when I say that I can not taste a difference in organic or regular wine, I guess it does not hold much merit. But that being said, I see no reason why not to buy the organic, save myself a headache, and support those trying to get back to nature. It's a beautiful thing.

Other deeply rooted traditions are taking change in the wine industry as well. You might have noticed the increasing number of wine bottles with a screw top instead of a cork. I can't tell you the joy this brings me personally, working in the restaurant industry, even as most scoff at the idea. Apparently it is a growing trend for many reasons.

Cork is at a shortage. More importantly, screw tops keep the wine in tact with it's original flavor. Did you know that your wine might be "corked" 1 out of 10 times? This means that the cork interacts with the flavor of the wine, and often times you won't like the taste of the wine because of the cork, not because you are tasting the true flavor of the wine. Unfortunately it is going to take some time for the screw top to avoid the stigma of cheap. But keep in mind, when you drink a bottle of wine that is opened with a twist of the wrist, at least you aren't giving your taste buds a run for their money.

I admit it is sad to throw out such a loved tradition, especially the joyous sound of "pop" that occurs when you pull the cork out of the bottle, followed by the rich aroma of relaxation.

Keep up with the times, it's a changing world out there.

Written By: Tracy Kinnaman