MondoVindo:
The Series (2004, 2012/KimStim DVD Set)
Picture:
C Sound: C- Extras: D Episodes: C+
Wine,
over the centuries has existed in many cultures, made from the
Californian fields of Napa Valley to French fields of Florentine it
has become global commodity. From from farmers to billionaires,
there are schools of thought on how to make wine to how to enjoy and
appreciate it's subtle flavors. Over the years it has become an art,
a tourist attraction, a hobby for both poor and rich.
MondoVindo:
The Series was shot over many years, many countries, many
languages and many different wine makers by Jonathan Nossiter. It
can be noted on how different it can be between the small traditional
wine makers and the modern mega wine makers, in particular Mondavi
wine. While traditionalist argue that large modern wine companies
have turned wine into money making, modern wine makers say they have
improved on it, but really it seemed more like French wine makers
were just jealous of their American rivals. There is a great deal of
difference between the rich and poor wine makers, the wealthy wine
makers' farm/factory looks like museums filled with priceless art
(even imported castles) with huge underground vaults with wines, and
the more traditional wine makers their farm/factory look like
ordinary farms. But in the end, the wine makers all seem like to be
asking "How good was my wine?"
This
was a look into modern wine making and wine cultures around the
world. How traditional wine making has now evolve into mass
production and into international wine companies. While wine is not
food (arguably), it has certainly become a luxury item, a
recreational beverage, a symbol of status/wealth, there are people
who build their whole life and culture around wine. I cannot tell if
$200 wine is really 10 times better than a $20 wine, nor I am a wine
drinker or taster ...it's history, it's culture, it's people, how
they value and they treat it ...has at least taught me to respect it.
Some accuse the show of having an anti-USA wine bias, but the show
is not for everyone in the first place, so you can judge for yourself
by seeing it if really interested.
The
1.33 X 1 (in a 1.78 X 1 frame) can be rough going throughout along
with the lossy Dolby Digital 2.0 sound, but that sound is even poorer
with location audio issues and the combination was very wearing.
There are no extras.
-
Ricky Chiang
