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Mondovino

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Actors: Albiera Antinori, Lodovico Antinori, Michael Broadbent, Battista Columbu, Lina Columbu
Studio: Velocity / Thinkfilm
Category: DVD

List Price: ~~$7.99~~
Buy New: $4.14
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New (25) Used (17) from $3.98

Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

33 reviews
Sales Rank: 11130

Format: Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Italian (Original Language), Portuguese (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 135
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6

MPN: DTF53455D
UPC: 821575534550
EAN: 0821575534550
ASIN: B0009OL8E4

Theatrical Release Date: 2004
Release Date: July 12, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW AND FACTORY SEALED

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 21-25 of 33

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Culture and Commerce Clash in the World of Wine. September 10, 2005
24 out of 26 found this review helpful

"Mondovino" is filmmaker and sommelier Jonathan Nossiter's examination of the politics and personalities of the wine industry that have influenced the taste of wines worldwide in the past 25 years. Some regard the rise of wine critics and consultants and the globalization of wineries as a boon to business, allowing more access to wine for more people and more profit for the industry. Others lament the "Rolland-Parker marriage and the Napa-ization of wine", calling wine conglomerates like Mondavi "terroirists", with their high-tech young wines and disregard for place. Nossiter is an opponent of the current trend toward homogenization in wines. But the film may be of interest to wine-lovers of all stripes, since it allows both sides to articulate its viewpoint and to talk about wine, on 3 continents and in 5 languages -all of which Nossiter speaks. "Mondovino" is too long and repetitive at 2 hours and 15 minutes, but it has been edited down from a 10-part, 10-hour television series which may have aired in Europe. "Mondovino" was filmed by Jonathan Nossiter and Stephanie Pommez with a digital video camera that is usually handheld. The camera jiggles way too much for comfort, and the close zooms on people's eyes are due the camera's inability to hold focus. The film's technical limitations do detract from its watchability. In English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish with English subtitles.

On the side of "terroir", wine as an "expression of the personality of the place" or "somewhereness", French vintners Aim� Guibert and Hubert de Montille wax poetic and get philosophical about Man's relationship with wine. Guibert was a major player in the "Mondavi Affair" in the town of Aniane, France, where townspeople, environmentalists, and anti-globalization groups came together to prevent Mondavi from constructing a mega-vineyard nearby. De Montille speaks candidly about his wines and family, and is one of "Mondovino"'s big personalities. Prominent figures in the corporate world of wine include Tim and Michael Mondavi, Garen and Shari Staglin, Patrick Leon -technical director at Mouton-Rothschild, Leo McCloskey of Enologix, the largest wine consultant agency in the U.S., and members of the Frescobaldi and Antinori families in Italy, who were rivals to partner with Mondavi in the deal that resulted in Mondavi's buyout of Ornellaia.

But the most interesting and controversial proponents of "brands" and the global market are Michel Rolland, wine consultant for over 100 properties in 12 countries, and wine super-critic Robert Parker. Rolland is witty and arrogant to a fault, but he's straightforward and rather funny if you don't take him seriously. He admits to imposing his own tastes on the world of wine. His solution to everything seems to be "just micro-oxygenate". Hundreds of wineries worldwide change their wines to suit him. And the man with the palate of gold smokes; his taste buds are fried. Robert Parker is less colorful, but more complicated. He speaks of the influence of the Watergate era on his thinking. He strove to dispel the conflict of interest in rating wines and monopoly of opinion by the Old World vintners by introducing the objective critic, with the intention of making wine writing more pro-consumer. His detractors would argue that Parker's intention was to help the California wine industry by rating wines highly that were oaky, as young wineries use new oak casks to hide their lack of "terroir". In any case, Parker seems to have replaced one tyranny of taste with another. Not coincidentally, Robert Parker and Michel Rolland, who are friends, have similar tastes in wine. When a wine is poorly rated by Parker, the vineyard hires Rolland to consult, and then the rating goes up -which looks an awful lot like a racket.

I'm not a wine drinker, so I'm not inclined to take sides in the culture vs commerce/ terroir vs brands battle. Some people will find "Mondovino" revolutionary while others will find it alarmist. Jonathan Nossiter makes astute and intriguing observations in the film, but I think announcing the death of diversity in wines would be premature. It strikes me that the wine industry is a victim of its own success. Improved technologies and increasing wealth have created a global market for wine. It would be impossible to keep up with the demand without young wines. And now consumers' palates as well as critics' have adapted to it. Industrialization brought the same fate to many industries. But that doesn't necessarily mean the demise of small-scale, individualist products. There is normally a specialty market for them. "Mondovino" reminds me of the Scotch whisky industry in the 19th century. Single malts went out of fashion due to high cost, inconsistent quality, and small scale production. The patent still, which could produce whisky much faster than the old pot stills, created the rise of grain whiskies and blends. Blends are a homogenized product, marketed by brand as opposed to place. It was actually corporate buy-outs that led to the resurgence of single malts in the late 20th century and a subsequent improvement in the blends. Most Scotch whisky distilleries are owned by conglomerates now, who find no reason to abandon traditional methods of making single malts. They created a global market for them, and they own the grain distilleries too.

The DVD (Think Films 2005): There are 2 bonus features: Part VI of the 10-part "Mondovino" series, entitled "Quo Vademus?" and an audio commentary with filmmaker Jonathan Nossiter. "Quo Vademus?" is eclectic in theme, but focuses primarily on the idea of sprucing up young wines with new oak, a lawsuit against Robert Parker involving some Burgundy wine, and taste being entirely personal. If you're really into wine and enjoyed the film, you'll probably like the audio commentary. Nossiter talks about the people in the film, their reactions, and his approach to the subject. He does discuss themes of globalization, but avoids commenting on what the film means, preferring people to draw their own conclusions. Subtitles available for the film in English and French.

1 out of 5 stars

Like Watching the Cap Sink....... September 5, 2005
7 out of 28 found this review helpful

The true highlight of this film was Parker's dyspeptic, farting bulldog....otherwise, it consists mainly of a lot of folks rambling, ranting and droning on (in subtitles, of course!)about the most arcane, "inside baseball" aspects of wine politics I've ever dozed through.....imagine the most horrifying wine conversation you've ever had at a fancy dinner party or reception (you know the one: where you thought seriously about diving out an open window to the street below) and multiply it by a factor of ten....The film's few charming moments feature the cameraman's apparent infatuation with vineyard canines....Note: watch carefully for the adoreable Pyrenees(sp?) blissfully gnawing on a huge hunk of cheese he's snatched from a table in one of the opening sequences....the film was also effective in illuminating how "James Suckling" is one of the world's top ten aptonymns.....LO

2 out of 5 stars

Very Disappointing, Totally Unprofessional Movie (not a true documentary) September 5, 2005
11 out of 24 found this review helpful

Don't waste your time. This movie has so many flaws, its difficult to know where to begin.

First, it is painfully biased. I'm not so offended by its anti-globalist message (in fact I'm very sympathetic) as by the fact that he is so willing to distort peoples opinions and statements to achieve his goal. His constant attempt to make a caricature of every interviewee he disagrees with belies the fact that he can't substantiate his view with credible discussion. Whether it be with the accompanying music, the camera angles, the forced pauses in conversation, odd questioning or what appears to be his flagrant use of editing to achieve his goals, you walk away from the movie thinking Oliver Stone and Michael Moore are unbiased. We can argue whether or not a "documentary" should be unbiased (and I would not take that position), but this is no documentary. This is pure, unadulterated propaganda. In my mind there is a huge difference.

Second, the lack of narration or other vehicle to provide context to the interviews is both confusing and, once again, an attempt to muddle what are important and difficult issues. Similarly, the use of the hand-held camera is confusing and distracting and in my mind is symbolic of how "shaky" is own views are when put up to scrutiny.

Finally, his obsession with animals not only trivializes the interviewees, but in one scene in particular reveals his vulgar, mean-spirited and culturally biased views.

5 out of 5 stars

Truth Well Told August 19, 2005
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

If you have an interest in wine - this is a worts and all, must see film. delightfully personal and engaging, this works for me on several levels: seeing the approach of the noble gentry and the humble farmer. The banal conformity of commercial point-seeking winemakers. The philosophical difference from the big to the small grower - slick marketing versus pride and passion. The power of the press - at last someone has pricked the bubble that is the unholy alliance of journalists and big business, no where more devious than in the drinks trade.A delightful film for allwine professionals and consumers alike.

2 out of 5 stars

Rants between naps August 18, 2005
5 out of 10 found this review helpful

Okay documentary. Another world could be created in the time it takes to watch it, but inspiring -- I suppose. It was a great idea gone wrong and just too many damned dogs.

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