REVIEW: Wine, the way it was, in 'Bottle Shock'

Alan Rickman plays a snobbish wine merchant who shows California wines can

compete with the best French wines in the historical-based comedy "Bottle Shock."

In 1976, Napa Valley wasn't on the map, as wine goes, and anything-goes free living was the way of the world for many inhabitants.

One family was into wine, though, and in this story based on real events, that love for the stuff began Napa's road to success. Bill Pullman plays a vintner thoroughly dedicated to his Chardonnay, though few others notice. He makes his wine, alongside his surfer son, and the two frequently box in a makeshift ring to get rid of frustrations.

When a weary British wine merchant, played by Alan Rickman, arrives looking for the next big thing ---- or much of anything at all ---- it sets in motion events that will change recent wine history. A wine-tasting with French judges leads to the American wine crowned champ, and the race to respectability is on, American vintners struggling to live up to their potential and become a worldwide force in wine.

"Bottle Shock" moves through a sitcom style at times, with pushy music and some uncomfortable over-acting. It means well, though, and tells us a few things about wine we didn't learn from some of the other recent wine-and-character dramas.