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Explore This Month’s Case
Experience movies and wine like never before. Carefully curated wines presented with expert notes that take you ‘Beyond the Bottle’ to give you the perfect movie and food pairings, tasting notes and more. The TCM Wine Club is the perfect complement to your favorite film.
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.
After filming Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo together, Kim Novak again casts a spell on Jimmy Stewart—literally—in this romantic fantasy-comedy from Columbia Pictures. This film of love and witchcraft works across genres, just as this Italian white blends several different varietals to form the perfect, delicious bottle. This pairing will have you believing in magic.
From grapes grown in seaside vineyards under cool ocean breezes, this white blend shines. It pairs well with this classic story of a boy and his horse whose relationship was also born along the sea. A refreshing tale, The Black Stallion was directed by Carroll Ballard, produced by Francis Ford Coppola and stars Kelly Reno and Mickey Rooney.
Sidney Lumet’s directorial debut starring Henry Fonda is revered for its stark, original take on the courtroom drama and its memorable cast of supporting actors including Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley and E.G. Marshall. Capital Z makes its own bold statement as a strong Zinfandel and also touts an excellent supporting cast of mixed berries and subtle spices that linger after each sip.
This refreshing Sauvignon Blanc will pair beautifully with Ernst Lubitsch’s romantic comedy classic. Starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan as feuding coworkers and unwitting pen pals, it tells a timeless story that has been remade several times by Hollywood. Fittingly, the lovers’ secret is revealed through the use of a red carnation—a nice parallel to the floral art of Ernest Clayton, this delicious wine’s namesake.
Named after the fog rolling onto mountains that overlook the Pacific, this moody Cabernet pairs perfectly with the hauntingly striking visuals of this classic horror film. Atmospheric and full of fog-laden scenery, it features Bela Lugosi returning for the first time since Dracula to a vampiric role to seek revenge on the good people who tried to vanquish him 23 years earlier. Unrelated through story to his first vampire feature (by threat of lawsuit), the film features striking black and white cinematography and some unique twists on classic monster mythology.
Rich and fulfilling, previous vintages of this hearty red have been multi-award winners. The deft skill behind this finely crafted wine matches well with Martin Scorsese’s break-out film featuring career-making performances by Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel.
The world’s most popular white grape, Chardonnay, begs for an equally appealing screen presence. Pair this mouthwatering wine with expressive lead performances by Judy Garland and Fred Astaire. Featuring a soundtrack full of classic Irving Berlin songs, including the iconic title tune, MGM’s festival musical is a showcase of indelible movie moments.
Neither the most thought-provoking nor historically accurate film, this prehistoric classic is chock full of adventure and pure fun. Often remembered for its leading lady, Raquel Welch, the real stars may be special effects artist Ray Harryhausen and his stop-motion dinosaurs. Whether rooting for or against them, they are a blast to watch. Paired with Stones & Bones, a lively and brisk white blend which has its own dinosaur connection, the entertainment factor is raised up to a whole new level.
This prestigious Bordeaux would certainly be met with enthusiasm by this movie’s title character and gentlemanly rogue, Barry Lyndon (Ryan O’Neal). Set in the 18th century, the film tells the story of a man born to the lower ranks but determined to climb the social ladder by any means possible. Not well received by audiences upon release, Stanley Kubrick’s unorthodox film was embraced by critics, and the Academy rewarded it with seven nominations, including Best Picture. (It won four, but not the big one.)
Few movie experiences can compete with the richness of the classic musical West Side Story. Pour a glass of this sumptuous and intense red blend and join Maria and Tony for a spirited and passionate romp through New York. Like this powerful Portuguese wine, which uses old-vine grapes in a modernized way, Leonard Bernstein’s infectious score and Jerome Robbins’ choreography update a classic love story with unforgettable panache.
For a true cinematic feast, watch this Oscar-winning homage to the New York theater scene, full of delicious backstage drama (and backstabbing). Featuring what is arguably one of the greatest of all performances—Bette Davis as stage diva Margo Channing—the film charts the disruptions to her career when a doting fan (Anne Baxter) begins to infiltrate her life. Under the sensitive eye of writer-director Joe Mankiewicz, it’s a boisterous movie befitting a big, bold Cabernet Sauvignon. Fasten your seatbelts!