Wine Club Member Only Case

Fresh, bright and brimming with personality, this Tuscan blend calls for an equal charming film pairing. What better to match it with than this classic Billy Wilder romantic comedy starring Audrey Hepburn as a chauffeur’s daughter caught between two wealthy brothers (Humphrey Bogart and William Holden) who vie for her attention.

This sumptuous red blend comes from the south of Italy, but its exuberant fruity qualities pair perfectly with charming romantic drama Three Coins in the Fountain, shot on location in Rome in spectacular Cinemascope. At once dark and charming, like Italian playboy Dino (Louis Jourdan), with notes of oak and vanilla, like the poor but noble Giorgio (Rossano Brazzi), this is a lush and lovely wine for a magical film.

Since Tempranillo grapes ripen early and make a vibrant and fruit-forward wine at a young age, enjoy it with young Carroll Baker’s first leading performance. She’s a revelation in this controversial Tennessee Williams adaptation, depicting a young woman married off while still a teenager to a failed businessman (Karl Malden) and who openly flirts with rival factory supervisor Eli Wallach (in his screen debut). Just as the wine gets mellower over time, Baby Doll has only increased in estimation since the days of the Hollywood Production Code.

One will not be disappointed in pairing this vibrant Pinot Gris with an equally spirited comedy form the Marx Brothers. In an adaptation of their Broadway play, the plot revolves around a house party and an art heist, but like all the brothers’ films, the story plays second fiddle to the comedy. Directed by Mack Sennett veteran Victor Heerman, the three icons—Groucho, Harpo and Chico—are joined onscreen by brother Zeppo.

Few movies capture the spirit of their times as well as this late disco-era classic. The iconic fashion, music and youthful swagger are all there in this Brooklyn-set story of a directionless working class kid (John Travolta) who lets loose on the dance floor. Director John Badham’s hugely entertaining movie became a worldwide phenomenon, launching both Travolta’s career and a landmark soundtrack album. Enjoy it with a glass of this exciting Cabernet Sauvignon, a combo that’s sure to get you moving.

Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Christmastime redemption has been adapted to the big screen more than 25 times.

This Sauvignon Blanc is hardly as “loco” as its name suggests. It may be fun and flavorful, but it is also elegant and polished—much like The Shop Around the Corner. This evergreen romantic comedy is quintessential Ernst Lubitsch. Sophisticated, witty and charming, it reflects all the best elements of “The Lubitsch Touch.” Filled with great performances, it stars James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan.

Perhaps the only movie celebrated as both a Halloween and Christmas classic, Tim Burton’s inventive musical features groundbreaking stop-motion animation and some very memorable music. It follows the spooky, spindly Jack Skellington as he attempts to kidnap Santa Claus and take his place on Christmas Eve. Only a modest success upon its initial release, its popularity has grown significantly in subsequent years. Enjoy it with this rich and well-rounded red, perfect for an offbeat but uniquely rewarding holiday story.

This Chenin Blanc’s tentacled label begs to be paired with author Jules Verne’s classic adventure-at-sea. Brought to the screen several times, the most beloved version comes from Walt Disney and stars Kirk Douglas, Paul Lukas and Peter Lorre, with James Mason as the iconic Captain Nemo. An eminently enjoyable family film, it was also a technological tour-de-force, winning Academy Awards for its special effects and art direction.

The movie that cemented James Dean’s status as a Hollywood icon also captured the angst of a generation and set the blueprint for a plethora of teenage movies to follow. Director Nicholas Ray infused this tale of juvenile delinquency with real emotional depth and a classical tone, and populated it with terrific young actors like Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo. Enjoy it all over again with a glass of this hearty California red, well-suited for the highs and lows of Ray’s drama.

Silent star Lon Chaney had many career highlights, but his most famous moment may be the unmasking of the Phantom in this celebrated 1925 Universal horror film. Featuring lavish sets and costumes, along with a scene of two-strip Technicolor brilliance, director Rupert Julien’s film exemplifies silent cinema at its peak—best enjoyed with a glass of bold and complex Cabernet Sauvignon.

At first thought too gritty to be a leading man, Clark Gable turned on the charm and quickly established himself as “The King of Hollywood,” starring in features ranging from It Happened One Night (1935) to Gone with the Wind (1939) to Mogambo (1953). Raise a glass of this flavorful Chardonnay to celebrate Gable’s final performance. This moving film about restless souls who conspire to round up a team of wild horses was directed by John Huston and also contains the last performance of screen legend Marilyn Monroe.

Featuring one of Elvis’s most iconic musical sequences, this MGM classic tells the story of Vince Everett who, after being imprisoned for manslaughter, learns to play guitar and becomes a singing sensation. An unusual role for Elvis, he is cast here as a rebel more akin to James Dean or Marlon Brando. One of his more substantial and well-liked performances, this side of The King’s personality pairs well with this vibrant and equally memorable red blend.

What better to pair with a Blues Brothers wine than the iconic movie after which it was named? Starring the unforgettable duo of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Jake and Elwood Blues, the film rightly sits in the pantheon of comedy classics. This bold, full-bodied Petite Sirah will help put you into the mood for a fun and laugh-filled night.

Burt Reynolds starred in many movies over his career. A fan favorite, this comedy helped elevate him to new levels of stardom. Reynolds is the Bandit who is responsible for helping divert police attention away from a truckload of contraband beer as it heads across state lines. Directed by legendary stuntman Hal Needham and costarring Sally Fields, it also features a memorable turn by Jackie Gleason as Sheriff Buford T. Justice, one of his most iconic roles.

The notion of a “holiday film” typically conjures up snowy thoughts, but this classic fable is instead set in the sprawling desert. Starring John Wayne, Harry Carey Jr. and Pedro Armendáriz, it tells the Christmastime story of three bank robbers turned heroes who shepherd an infant to safety across blazing sands with a sheriff hot on their heels. John Ford’s robust Western pairs perfectly with this rich, full-bodied white.

Directed by Jean Renoir, this often overlooked noir melodrama stars Joan Bennett and Robert Ryan. Noted for its moody beauty, the movie captures the deft touch of its renowned auteur (even with RKO’s deep cuts to the film). The vibrancy of the Pinot Blanc heightens the viewing experience by adding a layer of energy, which plays against the film’s inherent tension.

Zippy, fresh and ripe, this Sauvignon Blanc celebrates the excitement of the city. The same is true for this hit MGM musical, the first of its kind to be shot on location in New York. It tells the simple story of three sailors on leave who search for love in the big city. Star Gene Kelly, who also co-directed the movie, shares billing with Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett and Ann Miller.

D.H. Lawrence’s famous novel about a British mining family is adapted to the screen by celebrated cinematographer Jack Cardiff in his directorial debut, for which he would gain an Oscar nomination. Cardiff handed over filming duties here to fellow Brit Freddie Francis, who shot this captivating drama in gorgeous CinemaScope and, in fact, took home the Academy Award for his work. Savor the dramatic complexities of the film with the velvety tannins and subtle spice notes of this delightful Spanish Cabernet.

An epic Western filmed in widescreen Cinerama, this beloved movie tells the story of the Prescott family as it puts down roots in the American West. Filled to capacity with A-list actors, it features John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Gregory Peck, James Stewart, Debbie Reynolds and many, many more stars of the genre. The movie’s grand scope is perfect for the rich, deep flavors of this Mendocino Merlot.

This Sauvignon Blanc is hardly as “loco” as its name suggests. It may be fun and flavorful, but it is also elegant and polished—much like The Shop Around the Corner. This evergreen romantic comedy is quintessential Ernst Lubitsch. Sophisticated, witty and charming, it reflects all the best elements of “The Lubitsch Touch.” Filled with great performances, it stars James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan.

The Purple Owl would have been a fitting name for a classic film noir and as a great noir, the wine will keep you intrigued from the first taste. Directed by Fritz Lang and starring Glenn Ford and Gloria Grahame, The Big Heat is equally engrossing from start to finish. Fast-paced and a classic of the genre, it nicely pairs with this captivating Pinot.

Few actresses of the 1930s (or any era) can rival Bette Davis’ fiery charisma and appeal. In the first of three movies she made with director William Wyler, Davis plays the audacious Julie Marsden, a woman determined to maintain her independence and the upper hand in relationships with men, set against the backdrop of antebellum New Orleans. The film was in some ways Warner Bros.’ answer to Gone with the Wind, which was then in production. But it’s also a great pairing for this fresh, elegant Spanish white.

By the late 1930s, Preston Sturges had established himself as a writer of remarkable wit and sophistication. In this first directorial effort, he charts the unlikely rise and fall of a corrupt New York Governor (Brian Donlevy), an example of the comedic American social commentary for which Sturges became so well known. It’s a broadly entertaining film, as pleasing as the succulent flavors and fruit-forward aromas of this smooth Chardonnay.