Inside My Table #88 | Excerpt
Our 12 Favorite Holiday Films—and the Wines to Drink With Them
By Brent Sloan
CHRISTMAS VACATION (1989)
Clark Griswald re-defined holiday lighting excess in this classic Christmas comedy. And who could forget Clark commenting to his surprise holiday guest Eddie, his brother, “Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?” What Clark needed was Graham’s Six Grape Port — a fortified wine that will turn your teeth purple, warm you with its higher alcohol content and dull the edge of reality enough to tolerate those Uncle Eddies we all know.
A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983)
Though it’s set long, long ago in the 1940s, every boy — and probably quite a few girls, too — understands Ralphie’s maddening desire to convince his parents, teacher and Santa that the Daisy Red Rider BB gun is what he wants and, actually, needs for Christmas. Unfortunately all he hears is, “No, you’ll shoot your eye out.” Show how responsible you are now by watching this movie with a glass of Roederer Estate Brut from California. Oh, but be careful when removing the cork from the highly pressurized bottle — don’t shoot your eye out!
WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954)
This post-war, feel-good movie has some of the most memorable song and dance numbers — “Sisters, Sisters,” for example — thanks to Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen and Danny Kaye. Sample a glass of Zind-Humbrecht Pinot d’Alsace, a hard-to-pronounce, luscious-but-dry wine loaded with flavors of clove, pear and crisp acidity that will dance across your tongue. And as if you needed another excuse, one of Bing’s well-known songs was “Come Share the Wine.”
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)
Just like main character Jack Skellington, a tall, broad-shouldered Zinfandel is the way to go with this Tim Burton masterpiece. The tooth-staining, blackberry jam qualities of Cedarville Zinfandel from El Dorado will more than match the movie’s dark edge and should keep your innards warm with its impressive alcohol content.
PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES (1987)
We’ve all had those annoying seat neighbors who seem to take over both arm rests, snore or talk way too much. John Candy, as a traveling shower-ring salesman, is never short of words and follows Steve Martin as they try to get home for Thanksgiving. In honor of Candy’s profession, try Jacuzzi — yes the Jacuzzi of bath bubble fame. Their Santa Barbara Pinot Noir is like 2% milk, not too light and not too heavy.
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (1966)
What, you feel bad about drinking wine and watching a cartoon? Don’t, when it’s Grgich Hills. Whenever we see the name we always think of Grinch, but the wines are far from being a “mean one.” Much like the Grinch, Grgich Hills Merlot is not as friendly as most in the beginning but eventually mellows with aromas of wood spice, leather and a silky finish.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (1965)
This George Schultz and company winner continues to be loved by adults and children and seems to improve with age. In the Peanuts world, made long before product placements and flashy animation, the meaning of Christmas is gently distilled in 60 minutes. This classic deserves another classic, but with a twist — eggnog with a splash of Daron Calvados (apple brandy from Normandy, France). The calvados adds a rich fruit component and gives the eggnog an incredible aroma of fresh-cut apples.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1951)
Ebenezer Scrooge needs the intervention of three ghosts to show him the true meaning of Christmas —or (taking a break from our wine recommendations) maybe a tankard of Anchor Steam Christmas Ale would have done the trick. The secret recipe brew is only available from November to mid-January and is filled with flavors of coffee and Christmas spices. Careful: The beer is so easy to drink you might be seeing ghosts, too.
DIE HARD (1988)
We know it’s strange to think of a shoot-’em-up movie for the holidays, but John McClane’s one-man attempt to rescue his family from German gunman on Christmas Eve is an American action classic. With all the heart-pounding action, we’ll match this movie with Gunderloch’s Jean Baptiste Kabinett Riesling. The wine’s rich fruit flavors, crisp acidity and relatively low alcohol level make for easy drinking. Think adult Gatorade.
HOME ALONE (1990)
Hmmm, what would little Macauley Culkin drink? After his family runs off to France for Christmas vacation you would think something pretty darn good, and non-alcoholic. A great NA choice for you or your holiday guests is Cold Hollow Cider Mill fresh apple cider from Waterbury (next to Ben & Jerry’s), Vermont. It’s hard to get, and you’ll need to purchase it online, but it’s about as good as juice gets.
ELF (2003)
One of the best lines of the movie is offered up by Buddy (Will Farrell) when he sees the mailroom for the first time, “It’s just like Santa’s workshop! Except it smells like mushrooms … and everyone looks like they wanna hurt me.” So why don’t we pair this movie with Panther Creek “Shea” Pinot Noir from Oregon, a wine with rich spice aromas and a hint of earthiness (mushrooms).
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)
As Clarence (the angel in training) says to Nick (the impatient barkeeper) in this Jimmy Stewart holiday weeper, “I was just thinking of a flaming rum punch. No, it’s not cold enough for that. Not nearly cold enough … Wait a minute, wait a minute … Mulled wine, heavy on the cinnamon and light on the cloves. Off with you, me lad, and be lively!” If you haven’t had it before, think warmed wine steeped with aromatic spices, vanilla pods, citrus and honey. Taste the picture?
