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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.

MOVIE: The Whales of August (1987)
WINE: Whale Coast Chardonnay 2022

We’d be remiss not to pair this whale-themed Chardonnay with a whale of a story. Often overlooked, this drama features late career high-points for its four beloved stars, Bette Davis, Lillian Gish, Ann Sothern and Vincent Price (it would be the final films completed by both Davis and Gish). The story of aging sisters mending their relationship during a summer in Maine is the perfect backdrop for these legends all in top form. The film pairs nicely with this elegant white with its own subtle notes and strong performance.

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MOVIE: The Misfits (1961)
WINE: Clark Gable Chardonnay 2019

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.

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MOVIE: The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
WINE: Phantom of the Opera Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

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.

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MOVIE: The Sea Hawk (1924)
WINE: The Sea Hawk Pinot Blanc 2020

Silent cinema at its epic best, this high-sea adventure tells the tale of Sir Oliver Tressilian (Milton Sills), a British nobleman, who after being captured and turned into a galley slave on a Spanish galleon, finds a new life as a pirate captain. The film, a true spectacle even for viewers of today, features full-size ships that served as floating sets and over 1,000 extras. Director Frank Lloyd’s high level of craftsmanship was rewarded by an enthusiastic audience who made it the top grossing movie of the year.

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MOVIE: Wings (1927)
WINE: Wings Cabernet Franc 2020

This silent classic is an aviation feat about two pilots vying for the attention of the same woman as they fight for their country in World War I. A groundbreaking epic, it notably went on to win the first Academy Award for Best Picture. Directed by William Wellman, himself a former WWI fighter pilot, it inspired many future war films and helped establish the careers of its stars, including Clara Bow and Gary Cooper. The wine, with its intense flavors, makes an excellent companion to the film’s intense and dramatic scenes.

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MOVIE: The 39 Steps (1935)
WINE: Hitch Merlot 2020

A classic thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock that stars Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll. The British classic follows the story of a man who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy after a woman he meets is murdered in his apartment. With its intense and suspenseful plot, this movie was a landmark in the thriller genre and helped to launch Hitchcock into international fame. Pair with this Merlot, brimming with ripe red fruit flavors and a touch of dark chocolate. It’s a combination sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

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MOVIE: Gidget (1959)
WINE: TCM Summer Under the Stars Chardonnay 2021

A bright and refreshing wine with flavors of lemon and baked apple is the perfect accompaniment for any warm summer evening. Its crisp and clean finish makes it a great choice for sipping while watching this summer favorite. Starring Sandra Dee, Cliff Robertson and James Darren, it shares the excitement of the teenage Gidget as she makes new friends, learns to surf and falls in love, all during the course of a high-school summer.

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MOVIE: The Kennel Murder Case (1933)
WINE: Ventopuro Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Based on a novel by S.S. Van Dine, this is one of four movies in which William Powell portrays the detective Philo Vance. The last in the series, it follows Vance as he investigates a murder at a Long Island dog show. Directed by Michael Curtiz, it also stars leading lady Mary Astor and sidekick Eugene Pallette. With its rich, full-bodied flavor and hints of fruit and floral notes, this multi-layered Cabernet Sauvignon perfectly complements the film’s complex and sophisticated plot.

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MOVIE: The Good Guys and The Bad Guys (1969)
WINE: Mano Mona Monastrell 2021

A classic Western comedy starring Robert Mitchum and George Kennedy, the plot follows an aging sheriff (Mitchum), who teams up with a notorious outlaw (Kennedy) to defend a town from a band of ruthless outlaws. Monastrell perfectly captures the ruggedness of the film. Born out of old growth vines cooled by sea breezes, this wine is as complex and satisfying as the film’s mix of thrills and humor.

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MOVIE: Roman Holiday (1953)
WINE: Purezza 2020

Purezza means purity in Italian—a perfect match for the film’s themes of innocence and love. Starring Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, and directed by William Wyler, the movie’s charming and delightful nature nicely complements this smooth and silky Italian red blend. The plot follows a European princess who escapes her duties to experience Rome while falling in love with an American journalist. Roman Holiday won three Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Audrey Hepburn.

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MOVIE: Jules and Jim (1962)
WINE: Bottle Poetry Pinot Noir 2021

One of the most celebrated films of the French New Wave is this poetic look at WWI-era France. Francois Truffaut directs the story of a love triangle between Bohemians Jules (Oskar Werner), Jim (Henri Serre) and Catherine (Jeanne Moreau) before, during and after the Great War. Beloved by critics and film buffs, its influence is still felt in films today and it’s a lovely match for this aptly named Pinot Noir.

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MOVIE: The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
WINE: J Opi Blanc de Blancs 2022

A gripping film noir that stars Lana Turner and John Garfield and tells the story of a passionate and illicit love affair that leads to murder. This wine, with its vibrant flavors, captures the intensity of the film, reflecting its raw energy and unbridled passion. With a finish that lingers on the palate, this wine is the perfect accompaniment to this unforgettable film noir classic.

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MOVIE: Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941)
WINE: Back Garden Albariño 2021

Robert Montgomery stars as Joe Pendleton, a boxer who is mistakenly claimed by heaven before his time is up. Claude Raines stars alongside him as Mr. Jordan, his celestial guardian, who tries to right the situation by finding another body that Joe can inhabit. An instant classic that won two Academy Awards (Best Screenplay and Best Original Story), it was later remade into another classic, Heaven Can Wait (1978). Both the movie and wine are light and fun. This fresh, elegant Albariño provides a little extra zing for this must-see comedy.

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MOVIE: Billy Budd (1962)
WINE: Sealicious Gewürztraminer 2020

One sip of this white and you'll find yourself transported to the Pacific coastline. Crisp and fresh with a vibrant citrus flair, Sealicious Gewürztraminer deserves a nautical pairing. This retelling of the Herman Melville classic features Peter Ustinov as a sea captain who is caught in an unenviable position of needing to enforce naval justice against the likable (but ill-fortuned) Billy Bud, played by Terrance Stamp.

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MOVIE: Mister Roberts (1955)
WINE: Sendero das Meigas Albariño 2020

For this white wine’s hint of the sea, consider this nautical comedy-drama with an all-star cast. Henry Fonda headlines as the executive officer, Mr. Roberts, who does his best to keep the peace among his crew, despite their shared dislike for their stern captain (James Cagney). Despite drama in the director’s chair—John Ford was replaced by Mervyn LeRoy, plus an uncredited Joshua Logan—the movie went on to become a big hit, winning an Oscar for up-and-comer Jack Lemmon’s portrayal of laundry and morale officer, Ensign Pulver.

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MOVIE: Gidget (1959)
WINE: Summersday 2020

This bright and lively white blend is pure California sunshine in a glass. Much the same can be said of this ebullient depiction of Southern California and surfing culture in the late fifties. It stars the iconic teenager Sandra Dee and adapts a popular book by Hollywood screenwriter Frederick Kohner, who based it on his own daughter’s summer adventures in Malibu. Columbia’s film was a huge hit upon release and it led to two sequels and a popular TV series with Sally Field, while also helping launch the sport of surfing into the mainstream.

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MOVIE: Red River (1948)
WINE: Fogbound 2020

Inspired by the Pacific Ocean and nearby Salinas River, this California white offers distinct floral and yellow fruit notes. As such, it’s well suited for this iconic Western—named for an American river—that delivers its own distinctive notes. This celebrated film depicts the rivalry between a cowhand (Montgomery Clift) and his rancher stepfather (John Wayne) as they drive cattle north from Texas to Kansas. Often cited as one of the best Westerns from director Howard Hawks, Red River offers an engaging story, memorable action and a touch of humor.

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MOVIE: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
WINE: Seekat Bay Chenin Blanc 2022

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.

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MOVIE: The Prince and the Showgirl (1957)
WINE: Le Prince de Courthézon ‘Prestige’ Blanc 2019

This Grenache Blanc blend, with its expressive flavors, is a perfect complement to this romantic comedy starring Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier. Directed by Olivier himself, the film tells the story of the mismatched love affair between a charming prince and a spirited showgirl during a diplomatic visit to London. Behind the screen tensions between the two stars don’t reveal themselves on screen, as the film received excellent reviews upon release and has gone on to become a romance classic.

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MOVIE: The Wild Bunch (1969)
WINE: Tri-Tip 2019

A beefy wine calls for an equally robust movie. The Wild Bunch was director Sam Peckinpah’s ode to the Wild West in its final days. Starring William Holden and Ernest Borgnine, the movie, like the wine, pulls no punches. It is noted for helping to shift the genre from that of chivalrous heroes to a more layered approach.

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MOVIE: How the West Was Won (1962)
WINE: Rocksand 2021

An epic red for an epic Western. Finding themselves in competition with the rising popularity of TV, movie studios decided to go big. And there are few movies bigger than this: the first feature shot for Cinerama that tells the story of three generations of Western pioneers. It showcases a cavalcade of stars including Spencer Tracy, Gregory Peck, Debbie Reynolds, James Stewart and John Wayne (and many, many more). Costing an astounding 15 million dollars and having three directors, it went on to win three Academy Awards.

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MOVIE: Bell, Book and Candle (1958)
WINE: Visionario 2021

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.

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MOVIE: The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
WINE: Silver Puffs Sauvignon Blanc 2021

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.

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MOVIE: The Band Wagon (1953)
WINE: Riversong Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Pair Chile’s star white wine with silver screen stars Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, two of the musical genre’s most talented performers. Under the direction of Vincente Minnelli, MGM’s showstopper is joyous and seductive, perfect for the rich tropical flavors and zesty citrus notes of this Sauvignon Blanc. Now, that’s entertainment!

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