Bottle Shock (2008)

In the heart of the 1976 wine universe, Paris, lives British wine aficionado Steven Spurrier. Despite owning an exclusive wine shop and tasting school, he struggles to draw in patrons, primarily due to being an outsider in the French-dominated wine industry. His only regular customer, an American named Maurice Cantavale, suggests an audacious plan to broaden Steven's clientele: demonstrate that France isn't the only country capable of producing exquisite wine. Halfway around the globe in Napa Valley, California, Jim Barrett, a headstrong former lawyer, has swapped corporate life for the vineyard. He pours his heart into Chateau Montelena, a winery that's teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, despite his unwavering belief in the quality of Californian wine. Assisting him in this endeavour are his laid-back son Bo, Bo's best friend Gustavo Brambila, a second-generation Mexican vineyard worker with dreams of his own, and Sam Fulton, an intern who disrupts the male-dominated industry with her beauty and spirit. When Steven decides to hold a blind tasting competition, pitting Californian wines against their French counterparts, their lives become entwined. Jim views this 'Judgment of Paris' with skepticism, suspecting it's a ploy to mock Californian winemakers. Bo, however, sees it as a golden opportunity to prove that California can compete in the global wine arena, especially if their Chardonnay is selected. Tensions rise as they grapple with personal struggles and the challenges of the wine industry, all while navigating the rocky path leading up to the competition. With its buttery notes and Smithsonian finish, will the Barrett's Chardonnay rise to the occasion or crumble under the pressure? The heart of the story lies in the delicate balance between the pursuit of passion, the complexities of relationships, and the struggle to carve out a place in a world where tradition often trumps innovation.

Bottle Shock is a comedy movie featuring Alan Rickman.

Bottle Shock is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, Kanopy, Peacock, Peacock Premium, Plex, Plex Player, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video and Hoopla.

It is also possible to buy Bottle Shock on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.