Pinot Noir Sales Head Up Not Sideways

Sideways follows unrecovered divorce and would-be novelist Miles Raymond (played by Paul Giamatti) as he treats his old college buddy and washed-up television actor Jack (Thomas Haden Church) to a celebratory trip to the vineyards of the central California coast the week before Jack's wedding.

The romp through the transversal valleys of Santa Barbara wine country centres on relationships and at times can be as depressing as a stuck fermentation, but the vineyard backdrops and the focus on wine, especially pinot noir, has given the finicky grape a much-needed public-relations boost with consumers.

Producers of California pinot noir are experiencing increased sales and most are predicting they will not be able to meet demand through the end of the year -- and that's without calculating further jumps in demand the recent DVD release may trigger.

Kevin McKinnon of Marquis Wine Cellars on Davie Street says: "At the moment, my selection of California pinot noirs is a little slim, thanks no doubt to the movie Sideways."

And recently, Sideways star Virginia Madsen shot a promo in Marquis Wine Cellars in preparation for the DVD release. "She's in town shooting another movie and thought our store was a great setting for the ad," says McKinnon. "She really enjoyed the Santa Barbara wines that we carry."

Marquis Wine Cellars has always been a fine resource for Santa Barbara wines. The current pickings are slim but include: Ojai 2001 Clos Pepe Pinot Noir, $64.90; Talley 2001 Estate Pint Noir, $44.90; Hendry 2002 Pinot Noir, $47.90; and Au Bon Climat 2001 Pinot Noir Knox Alexander, $73.90.

Keying off the DVD release, the Wine Institute of California is partnering with Fox Searchlight and the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau and Film Commission to offer British Columbia consumers a chance to "Win Your Own Sideways Tour of Santa Barbara, California."

The contest will run in select B.C. liquor distribution stores across the province from May 1 to May 28, 2005. The tour includes visits to several of the wineries featured in the film, as well as dinners at the now-infamous Hitching Post and Los Olivos Cafe and Wine Merchant. The winning contestant will also receive a free round of golf for two at the Alisal Guest Ranch, the same course where Miles and Jack demonstrated their unique golf etiquette.

If you have yet to experience Sideways, you should consider renting the movie and inviting over a bunch of friends, with the proviso that each guest arrive with a bottle of pinot noir. Simply add salmon, cheese or duck confit and you are ready to party.

To get you started, we offer six pinot picks from around the world, but there are many more to choose from in local wine stores.

The Firesteed Pinot Noir 2001 from Oregon is as simple as it gets with its smoky prune, black cherry and rhubarb nose and soft, round, supple strawberry jam flavours. This is uncomplicated introductory pinot noir from Oregon.

Weekend Wine Tasting: Pinot Noir

Firesteed Pinot Noir 2001, Oregon
Price: $14.95
UPC: 7535261000005
Score: 85/100
Remarks: Easy-drinking, uncomplicated introductory Oregon pinot.

LinCourt Vineyards Pinot Noir 2001, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California
Price: $22.95
UPC: 086985000112
Score: 90/100
Remarks: Delicious and affordable pinot.

Vina Casas del Bosque Pinot Noir Reserve 2002, Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Price: $22.99
UPC: 697412000362
Score: 88/100
Remarks: Black cherries, vanilla and smoky plum fruit with fresh acidity.

Saintsbury Garnet Carneros Pinot Noir 2003, Carneros, Napa Valley, California
Price: $31.95
UPC: 732458950674
Score: 88/100
Remarks: Juicy strawberry/cherry jam flavours that are ready to drink.

Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard 2002, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California
Price: $39.95
UPC: 726319000018
Score: 91/100
Remarks: Juicy, spicy, cherry fruit flavours with a twist of orange peel.

Peregrine Pinot Noir 2002, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand
Price: $49.95
UPC: 085447000015
Score: 91/100
Remarks: Soft, velvety, elegant palate with ripe smoky black cherry fruit.