The theory, both captivating and still unproven, is that every person on this planet is connected to every other person by a string of just six acquaintances. I've only met one of the above, but I know people who've met the rest.

 

In the 1993 film, Six Degrees of Separation, the theory of the same name is expounded upon by the fabulous Louisa (Ouisa) Kittredge (Stockard Channing), a rich New York City socialite and wife to wildly successful art dealer John Flanders (Flan) Kittredge (Donald Sutherland).

 

One evening they are preparing to go out with their friend and client, Geoffrey Miller (Ian McKellen), when a wounded stranger named Paul (Will Smith) comes calling. Paul professes to be the son of Sidney Poitier and a friend of the Kittredge children from Harvard. Paul knows intimate details of them and their NYC apartment, right down to the Kandinski art piece. Flan and Ouisa take him in for the night, and are mesmerized by the elegant, well-spoken, and thoughtful Paul.

 

But Paul is an imposter and turns the Kittredge bliss quite upside down, to the shallow and anecdotal delight of the NYC elite. The film takes many twists and turns as the Kittredge's vow to get to the bottom of how and why their family was so clearly targeted by the mysterious stranger.

 

There is much meaty material in this film: the disparity between the rich and the poor, the search for meaning in our lives, the concept of chaos versus control, loneliness, deceit, homosexual lust, compassion, love and forgiveness.

 

The character of Paul is arguably Smith's very best performance, and was his first big break into mainstream film. Channing (who had me at Grease) earned both a Golden Globe and Oscar nod for Ouisa, but sadly no statues. In my view, this is director Fred Schepisi's greatest work to date and a must-see.

 

With it, I coiffed a bottle of Peter Lehmann Barossa Rosé 2008 ($15.95 CDN, $10.99 USD). Peter Lehmann Wines was established as a winery in 1979 and is located near the town of Tanunda in the heart of the Barossa Valley in South Australia.

 

Peter Lehmann Wines produces internationally renowned brands across many different price categories, purchasing grapes from 185 local growers; it also has its own vineyards, which produce only 2 percent of the total grape requirements. While the Barossa Valley is most widely known for its big, bold Shiraz, the other main grape varieties grown include Riesling, Grenache, Semillon and Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

It is Grenache that springs to life in the Peter Lehmann Barossa Rosé 2008. The Grenache grapes are only selected from mature vines with low yields. There is great quality in those tiny bunches, cold fermented to perfection under the watchful eye of celebrated chief winemaker Andrew Wigan.

 

So inviting, this rosé is a positively bouncy fuchsia in color. The nose delights with raspberry and cherries leading to a delightful crisp tingle on the tongue. Intensely fruity yet with a refreshingly dry finish, pair this with fresh, plump strawberries (as we did) and go to fruit heaven.

 

This wine is as cheeky and vivacious as our poignant Paul, and could easily manage to infiltrate the snobbiest of wine circles. I can guarantee I won't be separated from another bottle of this baby for long! More research is required, but this could become my official rosé of summer 2009. Find both and enjoy.