Notorious and charismatic sommelier Charlie Arturaola stars as himself in Nicholas Carreras’ hilarious Dionysian joy ride through the major wine regions of Italy, easily the funniest wine film since the merlot-bashing SIDEWAYS. When his palate mysteriously fails him, Arturaola is banned from the illustrious Duel of Wine competition and banished from the fiercely opinionated world of oenology. His uproarious quest to return to form involves both clever and idiotic schemes, among them ghost-tasting for a handsome but buffoonish friend. Carreras’ gleeful, stinging satire of the obsessive world of drinking and dining contests includes several luminaries from the wine world in on the joke. The United States gets playfully savaged as the capital of competitive culinary arts, especially in the surprising New York finale—a mano a mano showdown between the world’s two best sommeliers. In the heat of this battle, Arturaola’s poetic, moving affirmation on the meaning of wine reveals that gustatory pleasure is an immediate, personal, and joyous experience better suited to sharing than contention. And after laughing your way through the magnificent wineries of Umbria, Sardinia and Piemonte, you’ll be overwhelmed with desire for a deep, complex, and magically transformative glass of Barolo. –
Gustavus Kundahl
Co-presented by
San Francisco Wine School and
EatDrinkFilms
Join us after the film for our Closing Night Party and Wine tasting!
8:30pm-9:30pm
Film Only: General Public $14; Seniors, Students, Disabled: $13; Italian Cultural Institute members: $12;
Includes a glass of wine! Must be 21 years of age or older.
Film & Wine Tasting Party (or Wine Tasting Party only): General Public $60; Italian Cultural Institute members and pass holders $50
Party Venue: Sunday, November 12, 8:30pm-9:30pm
Osteria Restaurant
3277 Sacramento St, San Francisco
(corner of Sacramento & Presidio)