The Global Language Monitor has designated the word “pinot� as the most influential buzzword that Hollywood “came up with� in 2004. (Next on the list was “genius� from the movie Ray and “handwashing� from Aviator.)

Despite the fact that “pinot� has been in the lexicon for about 200 years, it would seem there is no tap root to popularity quite like the one running through the silver screen. Since the release of the movie Sideways (which follows the adventures of two men experiencing the sharper edges of the classic mid-life crisis while touring through California wine country), the sales of Pinot Noir have climbed 16% overall nationwide, while some individual retail wine stores have experienced up to a 30% increase in sales for that particular wine grape varietal.

Needless to say, the film has also done wonders for tourism in the Santa Barbara wine country where the film was made. The Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission have produced " Sideways, The Map," (AKA - Miles and Jack's Wine Tour) a self-guided tour map featuring 18 of the locations from the film, including wineries and restaurants. The map is free-for-the asking by calling 805-966-9222 or you can download a PDF.

But as for the plausibility of Sideways, our female friends who work in the California wine industry agree on one thing: There is NO WAY that a sharp, good-looking woman like Maya, the character played by Virgina Madsen, would fall for a self-pitying loser like Miles.

Nor is it likely that a hottie like Sandra Oh would pay much attention to a horndog the likes of Jack. From what they tell me, single women in Santa Barbara wine country can take their pick of visiting smooth operators from around the world -- wine guys, who unlike Miles and his single bottle of 1961 first growth Bordeaux stashed in the back of his shoe closet, haven’t exactly been saving it up for 43 years.

The story goes, If you are single, attractive and working at The Hitching Post, you are likely to be hit on every night. And that goes for the men as well as the women.