Raise a Glass to Love

Started watching this because of the BC Okanagan location (once again doubling as "Sonoma"), my love of wine, and the fact that the main winery location is about a three minute drive from my mom's house. I continued watching because I frankly liked it. Yes, it's not perfect by any means, but Laura Osnes and Juan Pablo Di Pace elevated the film above the voluminous repetitive dreck that Hallmark has been churning out recently. I especially liked Juan Pablo Di Pace. I don't recognize him from anything I've seen, but he plays earthy and charming very well. I'll look forward to him in other roles (not necessarily Hallmark...sorry to any die-hard Hallmark groupies.)

Jenna, aspiring Master Sommelier, travels home to her family winery in the Sonoma valley for her parents wedding anniversary. While there she meets Marcelo, her parents new Argentinian wine grower, who has some new ideas for their vineyard...like growing the natural way. Well traveled and easy on the ear Marcelo wins Jenna over and may have her rethinking her life plans.

I don't even drink wine but this film as part of Hallmark's drunk on wine and romance series...is winning me over to the romances at least.

This is an enjoyable romance and will appeal to all the romantics out there.

Yet another Hallmark movie where one of the leads ditches their partner for someone else they've been flirting with. Not a lot of loyalty in these movies lately.

This is a calm movie with nice scenery and is worth a view so long as you have moderate expectations. The lead actors did a good job and were likeable.

Wine is becoming a common topic in this type of movie. In this case, we have the slightly unusual premise of a woman who wants the title of Master Sommelier which requires a high level of proficiency and a difficult exam, but as the movie starts she fails the exam. Add to this the common trope of a family legacy - grandma taught me and I want to make her proud. Once the main players are in place it's not difficult to figure out almost all of the things that are going to happen in this movie. There are almost no great highs or lows and certainly no surprises. The conflict(s) are also pretty obvious from the start.

I love movies with Laura Osnes, even if I am disappointed when they don't take advantage of her beautiful voice. Even so, I had my doubts going into this movie because the previews made the predictability of it pretty clear.

Osnes and Juan Pablo Di Pace have chemistry. All these movies must begin with some friction between the leads and I was glad to see it played out more as caution following a little prank than animosity. It seems really fake to me when one or both of the leads totally torch the other one. Then suddenly, all is forgotten and love begins to grow. This movie doesn't take that path. Unfortunately, from this point on things are pretty average.

There is one nice touch late in the movie. Marcello makes reference to "Maestra del Corazón". Most people in the US can make a good guess at the general meaning, as does Jenna, but in the context where it occurs there is subtext to it which is only obvious if you have some understanding of simple Spanish grammar. It appeared to me that Jenna missed the subtext which heightens the moment. This is not a spoiler because Marcello quickly explains it. There might even two subtexts.

There is a little life lesson behind the story for those who want that. It is only slightly preachy.

The movie is OK. Whether I watch it again in a year or so will depend more on how I feel then than on how good the movie is.

Aside from what another reviewer mentioned about the scarcity of Master Sommeliers (an organization now under attack) and her pouring a Pinot Noir from a Bordeaux bottle; this is very well done, much better acting than normal, especially from the female lead, excellent chemistry between the leads, an excellent supporting cast and an engaging story, would definitely watch again. The ending was rushed, but was well done otherwise- and memorable.