If nothing else, Jonathan Nossiter's "Mondovino" created a stir and no doubt triggered many discussions amid the opening (and sniffing!) of corks all over the world.

Michel Rolland, a wine consultant who appears in the film, was incensed at the way he was portrayed and launched a media campaign accusing Nossiter of being an ingrate swindler. In California, shortly after "Mondovino" was released, the Robert Mondavi empire collapsed and the family was ousted from its "seat of power." While there were voices that said Nossiter had jinxed the Napa wine business, others said that the Mondavis got what was coming to them. As for Nossiter, he appears to take it all in stride; "I never thought filmmaking could yield such pleasure" is how he sums up the four years spent making " Mondovino.''

The sommelier/bon viveur/director was recently in Tokyo giving his views on wine and the wine business.