In America, celluloid dreams are to Hollywood what prolific Cabernet Sauvignons are to Napa Valley. And to celebrate all pairings of wines with film, I include 3 last bottles to The Perfect Case, to coincide with the beginning of Napa Valley Film Festival on Wednesday November 11th. Either way, on big or small screen, enjoy the combinations!

Classics with Cabernet Sauvignon

Raymond 2012 Sommelier Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($18)
Crafted by a special team of sommeliers from across the United States, this magnificent mixture of grapes from special North Coast vineyards creates lingering notes of ripe red fruits, raspberry, red currant, black fig, cocoa, espresso and elegant tannins.
Film pairing: Great sommelier wine to serve with Goldeneye or other classic James Bond films as hip red alternative to martinis shaken not stirred.

Freemark Abbey 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($44): Visceral cabernet with pleasurable flavor of wild berries, plums, cherries melded with secondary notes vanilla, cedar box and pastoral spice.
Film pairing: Like the vivid scenery in The Piano, the precious joys of this fine cabernet are slowly revealed inside the glass.

Grgich Hills 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($65): Rich wine with elegant notes of blackberry, blueberry, cassis, and silky texture.
Film pairing: Rebel Without a Cause starring James Dean and Natalie Wood. The core fruit in this wine came from vines planted in Yountville the same decade the film was released and maverick winemaker Mike Grgich arrived in Napa Valley from Croatia.

Napa Valley Film Festival

In continuation of building The Perfect Case to pair with wines, I next take on the category of Drama. In deeper films, match the engaging characters with the grape varieties used in special proprietary blends.

Dramas with Proprietary Reds

Wolf Family Vineyards 2012 Phaedrus Cabernet Sauvignon ($45)
Made with smaller portions of malbec and petit verdot, this robust red wine is layered with notes of black cherry, wild berries, chocolate and allspice.
Film pairing: With American Beauty, the complex characteristics of this cabernet blend balance masterfully with the portrait of a dysfunctional suburban family.

Favia 2011 Cerro Sur Red Wine ($145)
With a dark purple hue, this magnificent blend of cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon offers lofty aroma of leather, lavender and tobacco leading to concentrated flavors of blueberry, wild berries, fresh sage and a long dry finish.
Film pairing: High energy. Intensity. Birdman: Or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance.

Modus Operandi 2012 Vicarious Red Wine ($45)
Classy Napa Valley blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petite verdot, petite sirah and syrah with generous flavors of ripe cherry, wild berries and ground black pepper.
Film pairing: With powerful, rustic and savory notes, think red meat on the grill and Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood.

Napa Valley Film Festival

As the world’s first ever film festival sommelier, I have spent the last twenty years pairing wines with films. This fall I will once again be spreading my words and tastes to guests attending the Napa Valley Film Festival, November 11-15. I like to start with finding wines that compliment the theme of a film and the development of characters as the story progresses.

Here are the first 3 bottles of a Perfect Case, that I developed originally for a story with Saveur magazine: Twelve of my favorite new releases from Napa Valley with films you can enjoy in the comfort of your home this fall.

Comedies with Whites

Comedies are meant to be colorful, refreshing, chipper, and a little left of center. So instead of relying on a big oaky chardonnay, try a perky alternative style of white wine.

Priest Ranch 2014 Grenache Blanc, Somerston Estate ($22): Fragrant floral aromas lead to refreshing flavors of white peach, cantaloupe, pear, and an elegant texture.
Film pairing: Elevate the fun personality of this wine with a Ben Stiller gem like Flirting with Disaster.

Cairdean 2012 Fumé Blanc, Napa Valley ($32): Lovely sauvignon blanc aged in French oak barrels with gracious notes of passionfruit, kiwi, key lime pie, grapefruit, honey, creamy texture, and hints of peppermint and smoke.
Film pairing: Match the smooth and sassy characteristics of this fumé blanc alongside Down with Love.

Matthiasson 2013 White Wine ($40): In the glass, this unique blend of sauvignon blanc, ribolla gialla, semillon and tocai friulano expands with lively notes of ripe melon, fig, citrus, roasted hazelnuts, and a long graceful finish.
Film pairing: Showcase the young, energetic nature of these intriguing grapes with amusing films focused on adorable characters like Juno.