COLUMN: 7 Wine Pairings for Your Next Movie Night

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7 Wine Pairings for Your Next Movie Night

For cinema lovers, few nights are as perfect as a movie night. A great way to elevate your evening, whether it’s date night or relaxing alone, is by pairing your favorite film selections with a bottle of wine (or a few). 

Not sure which wines work best with your movie selections? Here are a few recommendations to inspire you the next time you hit “PLAY.”

Action/Adventure

Action is one of the most popular genres of all time, and it’s easy to see why. Action films are  full of bright lights, loud noises, and keep you on the edge of your seat. Though action films have been around forever, few film franchises have changed the course of the genre like the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The popularity of the MCU continues to grow, with nostalgic adventure series like Indiana Jones returning as well. 

Whether you’re watching the latest superhero movie or marathoning the James Bond franchise before No Time to Die is released this year, choosing the perfect wine for your viewing doesn’t have to be an impossible mission. Champagne is every bit as classy as the world’s greatest spy, but it is also accessible enough for any adventure. Plus, the bottles “pop” just like the action and picture quality. Check out these fun ways to elevate your movie night with champagne. There are many different brands so be sure to choose your bubbly “wisely,” like Indiana Jones did.

Drama

Sometimes the best choice for your movie night is something a little more grounded than an action-packed blockbuster. A great drama can take you on an emotional rollercoaster. Films like Dead Poets Society will leave you feeling inspired, while an epic like The Godfather will make your heart sink by the end. Other dramas are based on true stories and can follow this same structure. Rudy is a rousing story of determination on the football field, whereas Bohemian Rhapsody tells a bittersweet tale of one of rock music’s legendary performers. 

A hearty story line requires a sophisticated drink pairing. When looking for a wine that is complex yet easy to drink, look no further than zinfandel. A few sips of this wine will leave you feeling relaxed and compliment the drama you’re engaged in. Planning to host dinner with your viewing? Your pasta lovers will appreciate how zinfandel tastes with any tomato based sauces, a fitting setting while watching the chronicle of Michael Corleone and his family in The Godfather. Select your wine carefully to stay in the good graces of your own family.

Horror

Looking to embrace your inner vampire? Are you watching something even more grotesque like the Vincent Price classic The Pit and the Pendulum? Or are you renting Spiral, the latest entry to the Saw franchise? Not all horror needs to be bloody, either. Depending on your mood, you may go for a more subtle ghost story like The Haunting or an unnerving psychological thriller like The Shining.

Considered by experts to be the “most important red wine grape in Sicily,” Nero d’Avola is an impeccable choice for any night of terror. This rich dark red wine works well here matching the bloody and grotesque nature so common in these films. Even if the film lacks bloody imagery, the bleak themes of horror cinema require a dark beverage. The complex layers and deep flavors are enough to make any Lovecraftian horror tolerable. Picking out your devilish drink doesn’t have to turn you psycho.

Mystery/Thriller

If horror is a bit too intense for your liking, but you’re not afraid of the dark, a mystery or thriller could be more your speed. A classic whodunit might be more captivating than mysterious. For the films that keep you guessing like Knives Out or The Silence of the Lambs, consider a nice chianti. 

Chianti wine is dry and can be a little rough around the edges. Paired with an order of liver and fava beans and you’ll feel even more connected to Dr. Lecter. Not into the liver and beans? Try some of these meals that pair perfectly with the Tuscan wine. Don’t question your beverage motives. You don’t have to be Hercule Poirot to solve this mystery.

Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Stepping into a futuristic landscape like the one in Blade Runner can offer a bleak but welcome escape from the mediocrity of today. A sweeping fantasy epic like The Lord of the Rings or Star Wars can prove to be the ultimate distraction. For any film that’s even remotely “out of this world,” you want to choose a wine that offers the best of both red and white wine. 

Of course, rosé is not actually a mix of red and white wine, but it’s pink color isn’t the only indicator of a perfect blend. It’s certainly the furthest from mediocrity with a light red wine flavor and brighter, crisper notes. Some common descriptors of this beverage include red fruits like raspberries, cherries and strawberries. A bold choice for your first step into a fantasy realm.

Romance/Comedy

Planning a date night? Romance and comedy are perfect genres for a night in with your partner. Pop culture has created an entire subgenre for such occasions. Everyone knows the classics like When Harry Met Sally or Sleepless in Seattle, but if you're looking for something a little more modern, check out this list of recent rom-com releases. The convenient thing about both genres is that they can usually pair with the same flavors of wine.

Consider selecting a wine that is light and on the sweeter side, like moscato. Examples of rom/coms that pair nicely with a glass of Moscato are the box office hit Crazy Rich Asians or the Netflix original Always Be My Maybe. Both of these films have been championed by critics and audiences alike as being groundbreaking depictions of Asian Americans in cinema. Celebrate this cultural movement by ordering some Asian takeout, and enjoy a light and refreshing night. Feel like trying your hand in the kitchen?? Check out these simple but tasty Asian food recipes to stick with the theme

Western

One of the oldest film genres whose popularity has tapered in the past few decades is the western. Notably an American genre with classics from legends like John Ford and Howard Hawks, there have been successful westerns found in other nations, but none as powerfully as in Italy. Still, westerns continue to be made in Hollywood, partly thanks to the likes of director Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained and The Hateful Eight. If you haven’t kept up with the western genre, take a look at these modern western classics. 

Instead of debating over the good, the bad and the ugly wines available, stick with a sauvignon blanc for your western night. If you were ever stranded in the middle of the desert, this is the refreshing wine you’d want in your saddle bag. Light bodied, but acidic, this one packs a punch hard enough to impress the John Waynes and Clint Eastwoods at your watch party.

While the right movie is a challenge in itself, the wine pairing doesn’t have to be now. Ask your friends, date, or group ahead of time to decide on a genre for movie night and wow them with your new expertise. Once you’ve decided on a genre, take stock of the types of wine you have on hand. Did you decide on an action movie but you ran out of champagne? Are you and your date watching through The Conjuring horror series but all you have is rosé? Try using an alcohol delivery service. Having your wine selections delivered saves you a trip out while you prepare for your night of entertainment. Take advantage of the time-saving convenience and focus on the important aspect: what you’re watching. 

No matter what genre you land on, there is a perfect wine to compliment your screen. A little creativity (and your newly acquired knowledge) and your guests and loved ones will be singing your praises for years to come.