The Sunday Digest 110
"It's about not going against the grain, it's about not banging head against the wall."
Welcome to The Sunday Digest — a free Sunday newsletter featuring long (and some short) reads, original columns, things I’ve saved over the last week, relaxing playlists, episodes releases, exclusive product drops, and more. Yes, you can reply to this email. I’d love to hear from you. Or, if podcasts are more your speed on Sundays, we’ve got that too.
Sunday Read › The ‘Sideways’ Revolution: How a Single Joke Upended the Wine World
by Elycia Rubin for The Hollywood Reporter
I’ll never understand why but I’ve always had a soft spot for Paul Giamatti despite his normally-unsettling performances in everything he’s in. His passionate chaos makes me take note of releases that he’s part of while his characters always seem to stress me out more than I’m willing to admit.
Last year around this time, I had dozens of Sunday Scaries followers reach out to me about seeing his new holiday film, The Holdovers. Later than I intended, I ended up watching it on our August plane ride home from Italy this past summer. Perhaps I wasn’t in tune with the holiday spirit, but I’m not sure I could ever actually rewatch that film around Christmastime for fear of it expediting my already-looming seasonal depression.
However, there’s always time for Sideways.
If you’ve seen Sideways, you know two things: it’s not the fluffy Napa comedy you thought it would be and he hates merlot. So much so, in fact, that it changed the merlot market almost immediately.
The line in question comes about halfway into the movie. Miles, the pinot noir fanatic played by a typically agitated Paul Giamatti, and his about-to-be-married friend Jack (Church) argue outside a Los Olivos restaurant in which their beguiling new acquaintances Maya (Madsen) and Stephanie (Sandra Oh) await. “If anyone orders merlot, I’m leaving,” Miles barks. “I am not drinking any fucking merlot!”
Those 13 words would have an oracular effect, say sommeliers and industry experts, causing sales of merlot wines to plummet, to the benefit of Miles’ preferred varietal. This dynamic — measured in a 2009 Sonoma State University study that attributes it directly to the movie — was felt in winemaking regions across the globe, but especially in Santa Barbara County, where the film was shot.
Read in full here. And maybe pour a glass of leftover merlot or pinot this evening in tribute.
Restocked: Sunday Scaries Scented Candles
For the first time in a long time (which is a good thing!), all Sunday Scaries Scented Candles are restocked. This includes (but is not limited to):
Scary Christmas: My favorite holiday candle there ever was.
New York in the Fall: Always in and out of stock due to its popularity.
Everything Shower: A candle we released last month that sold out almost immediately.
Of course, we also have all our original scents as well. Hope you enjoy them!
The Sunday Haiku: “Maybe it’s a good Monday night activity to take our minds off the week.”
Now December 1st,
it’s time to set up the tree,
just don’t feel like it.
Things I Saved This Week
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