In Vino Veritas

(image courtesy of www.filminamerica.com)

(the following image courtesy of www.bayareaonthecheap.com)

What is it about our culture over the last decade that has us gripped so tightly onto wine connoisseurship? Is it a passing trend, (I hope not), or is wine simply in the midst of experiencing its long-overdue moment in the sun? After all, as I'm sure the French can attest, Pinot Noir is as much a part of their vocabulary as any other dietary staple. And in Tuscany, a meal isn't a meal without a carafe, (or two), of Chianti. It feels as if over the last decade our country has finally been exposed to the love of wine. With the release of Sideways in 2004, Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church brought to our attention the delights of a trip through our own wine country. And for those who had not previously been exposed to wine culture in America, the viewer realized that wine is daily life for portions of Northern California. With all of the new publications, iPhone applications and coffee table books dedicated to wine, we can all call ourselves "experts" of some sort.

This month's issue of Food and Wine aptly points out that wine has begun to saturate many aspects of our culture, from art and film, to design and beauty products, in Purple Reign: The Art of Wine. Upon reading it, Spill, a film about the artist Dennis Adams on an unusual trip through Bordeaux, promptly went straight to the top of my Netflix queue.

Is it any wonder then that wine should be the feature of a new exhibition at The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art? I am lucky to have two friends who are tying the knot in Napa Valley come this October, and will be making the trek out west. (More on that to follow.) Unfortunately, this exhibit does not open until November 20 so I might have to find another excuse to get out there... But I find it very exciting that the purple tones of wine are being explored through new venues. If you have the chance, Peter Wegner's wine-hued mural, In [ ] Veritas, certainly sounds worth the trip. I for one, am delighted that so much attention is being given to this subject, and especially to our own stateside vineyards who certainly deserve it.

Paris, Je t'aime.

(photo courtesy of New York Magazine)

(photo courtesy of NWFLAA)

(The Musée d'Orsay, Paris)

No longer is it necessary to travel across the Atlantic to get a taste of one of my favorite European cities. At least not for a brief window this fall season, as we look forward to an exhibition coming a bit nearer to us than the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. Opening this October at the Frist Center in Nashville, The Birth of Impressionism promises to bring one of the many highlights of Paris to us. Embarking upon a mere four hour excursion, and a scenic one at that, seems more than worthwhile to get a glimpse of what will be on view starting October 15th. From Manet to Degas, the exhibit will feature an extensive look at mid to late 19th century artists who were seminal figures in the foundation of later movements such as Modernism. There will be over 100 pieces on view, mostly on loan from the d'Orsay, which makes for more the perfect excuse to make the trek.

While each viewer will no doubt have their favorite piece, one that stands out to me personally is a Whistler piece entitled, Arrangement in Gray and Black, No. 1: Portrait of the Painter's Mother, commonly known as Whistler's Mother. As most who have taken art history courses can attest, this is a heavily studied piece in any American art class, and a haunting image of the artist's mother. It is one of many pieces that I would love to see in person, after spending much time memorizing slides of the image.

In another recent tribute to the city of lights, Gossip Girl, a guilty pleasure of mine, premiered this week with an episode dedicated to showcasing Paris as the female leads romped around the city. Blair Waldorf even made a (daily) stop at the d'Orsay, to gaze longingly at a favorite Manet for hours on end. For more commentary and ridicule regarding this week's episode, I highly recommend a stop over at New York Magazine.

While a trip to Paris may not be on the calendar any time soon, I think a quick weekend in Nashville will make me feel as if I had spent a lovely afternoon at a museum overlooking the Seine, almost.