John Cleese: Wine for the Confused (2004)

3 Stars (out of 4)

A Little Vino Would Be Keen-o

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Legendary comic actor John Cleese walks a fine line in this Food Networkspecial, trying to actually teach people about wine but also trying tobe funny from time to time. It doesn't always work. If you're a Cleesefan, you'll have seen better, and if you're a wine nut, this guide won'toffer anything new to you. Otherwise, it's an enjoyable time waster.Cleese guides viewers through three kinds of white wine and three kindsof red wine, how to order, how much to pay, and some winemaking facts.The main program as aired on television runs about 45 minutes, but KochVision's new DVD comes with roughly another 45 minutes of outtakes.Brendan Fraser appears as himself at Cleese's wine-tasting party, and hegets more laughs than the legend does (he describes one wine as"chewy").