Local wine maker Denis Lanahan to introduce the film

The incident that shocked the wine industry is the subject of the film Bottle Shock that will be shown at Tryon Fine Arts Center on Tuesday, March 7 at 7 p.m.

In a competitive blind tasting of French and American wines in Paris in 1976, an event known as the “Judgement of Paris,” the world of wine was turned upside-down as the young wine industry of Napa Valley defeated the history-laden French wine makers in both red and white categories. This is the background of the exceptionally entertaining and informative 2008 film Bottle Shock, which is part of TFAC’s current series of films on food and wine.

Polk County wine maker Denis Lanahan of Mountain Brook Vineyards will introduce the film and provide special insight on the subject, adding some little-known background information. Mountain Brook Vineyards won gold and bronze medals in the 2016 San Francisco International Wine Competition. The audience will also be able to sample some of Lanahan’s own wines prior to the screening of the film.

The film’s leading actor, Alan Rickman, who plays the British wine dealer who organizes the competition after selecting the wines from California, won the Best Actor award at the Seattle Film Festival for his role in Bottle Shock.

After describing the story of the competition, film critic Roger Ebert added, “It is also about people who love their work, care about it with passion and talk about it with knowledge.”

Samples of culinary treats from the restaurants at Tryon Resort will be provided prior to the showing of the film.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for refreshments and socializing. The film begins at 7 p.m.

The 2016-2017 Film Series is sponsored by Tryon International Equestrian Center.

– article submitted by Michelle Fleming