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Wine and Movies: Pairings for Wine and Movie Nights

You'll know exactly how to have a perfect movie night with this delectable list of wine and film pairings.

By: Erin Hoffman, Editor, TheWineBuyingGuide.com

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that there’s nothing better than a movie night at home.

Cocooned in your favorite throw blanket, popcorn steaming in a bowl, and the lights dimmed low, you can’t imagine a more luxurious--and budget-friendly--way to unwind. How could such an idyllic night possibly get any better?

Add a glass of wine to your fantasy evening. That’s how.

Don’t simply watch a film; experience it with the perfect wine pairing! In this collection, each flavor profile is specifically designed to enhance your genre of choice. Find a wine that pairs perfectly with whatever you watch, whether it be a crisp white for a comedy like Clueless (1995) or a smoldering red for The Godfather (1972).

You’ll never feel more relaxed, treated, and refreshed than after you watch a film with a scrumptious glass of wine in hand. No matter if you’re obsessed with rom-coms or want to be scared out of your skin, there’s a taste match made in heaven for you!

Romance

What girls’ night is complete without a celebrity heartthrob to fawn over? With the right glass of wine, any romance is sure to have hearts soaring, tears running, and smiles beaming. That’s why you need a rose wine to will make you feel as light as love does! The fresh, summery taste of rose will remind you of your summer loves, and its floral undertones will have you thinking of wedding bouquets. A fruity finish will make sure that each minute of your romance is as sweet as can be.

Want to love rose even more? You’ll adore how versatile its taste profile is. Choose a dry rose for tear-jerkers like, Titanic (1997) or The Notebook (2004), so that you can feel the wrenching of bittersweet love. Choose a sweet rose for your bubbliest rom-coms, like When Harry Met Sally (1989) or The Proposal (2009). You’ll be blushing at the lovely pink color of this wine after every sip.

Horror

Attention all thrill-seekers and adrenaline-lovers: you no longer have to search for a drink that will have your taste buds as alive as you feel during your favorite horror film. Find out how to awaken your senses for your favorite horror movie with a glass of Pinot Noir. This wine movie pairing may come as a surprise, but you won’t want to drink anything else when a thriller comes on the screen. This red wine may be delicate and fruity, but you don’t underestimate its lively taste.

Its flavor is subtle, like the insidious beginning of The Blair Witch Project (1999), but it has an acidic bite, like the bullet-quick jumpscares of The Conjuring (2013). Pinot Noir is also light-bodied, so its earthy flavors don’t sit in your mouth for long after each sip. Just like a good scream in a horror film, the clear, acidic flavor of Pinot Noir will excite your palate and be gone in a flash. Even better? Pinot Noir’s cherry undertones ensure that your glass a deep, blood-red that would have any vampire dying for a sip.

Comedy

If you’re watching a gut-busting comedy, you want a drink that’s just as light and bubbly as it is! Enter: Pinot Grigio. The dry flavor of this white wine will bring any humor to life. You’ll feel bright and cheerful whenever you take a sip of this light-bodied drink. Crisp like a good joke, Pinot Grigio features mild, citrusy notes that are as playful as your favorite comedy sketch. Get a lip-smacking taste of apples, pears, and sour citrus in every glass.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see why comedy and Pinot Grigio are made for each other! This wine isn’t complex, either, so it gets to the point as well as a stellar one-liner. You’re guaranteed to giggle your way through Bridesmaids (2011) or laugh at each gag of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) with this funny white wine.

Drama

If you live for drama, then you absolutely need a sensuous glass of Syrah in your hand. Dramas are known for their seriousness, intrigue, and theatrics, and Syrah has a flavor profile that enhances each of these qualities. This bold red has high levels of tannin, giving it an elegant bitterness to match any confrontation scene.

Just like a movie can enrapture you with irresistible drama, Syrah’s peppery finish will delight and thrill your taste buds without compromising its depth. Earthy tones mixed with blackcurrant flavors make this wine as fascinating and mature as Manchester by the Sea (2016) or Schindler’s List (1993). Syrah is as hearty as the thickest dramatic plot, and will have you sipping your way through your favorite films. The rich body of this red wine gives each glass a sexy, deep red, that will complete any drama movie night.

Indie Movies & Documentaries

If mainstream movies aren’t your cup of tea, then step off the beaten track with a zingy indie movie. Known for their niche followings, innovative storylines, and fresh perspectives, indie movies are the ideal genre for the cinematic adventurers. What wine could possibly pair with such a far-out genre? Sauvignon Blanc, of course!

This tart, acidic, and zesty white wine will thrill your taste buds with a bright new energy, just like your favorite indie movies. Sauvignon Blanc, though usually infused with an herbal and cistrusy finish, is known for its uniqueness; no two wineries produce the same taste! For a drink with just as much variety as your indie movie collection, you’ll need a white wine that can match the thrill. Whether you’re watching the campy Little Miss Sunshine (2006) or the fabulously strange Being John Malkovich (1999), a glass of Sauvignon Blanc is sure to breathe new life into your evening!

Mystery

Do you want a movie that has you on the edge of your seat with intrigue? With unpredictable plot twists, enigmatic characters, and a constant sense that nothing you see can be believed, It’s no wonder why mystery movies are so captivating. Pair your favorite mystery movie with a wine that’s just as bold as the plot of your favorite movie.

Cabernet Sauvignon, the world’s most popular red wine, has the clear, acidic, and bitter flavor. It’s sensual red color will be nearly as intriguing as the movie you’re watching! Even though it may seem like Cabernet Sauvignon is straightforward, it’s full of complexity, just like mysteries like Gone Girl (2014) and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011). It’s full body will envelop your mouth in thrilling flavor, while its acidic bite will make your tongue feel like it’s been shocked with adrenaline. The best part? This powerful red has a long finish, so you’ll still taste its bite while you contemplate your mystery movie’s twist ending, even after the credits roll.

Musical

It’s impossible not to fall in love with a musical. Fun, lively, catchy, and theatrical, musicals need a wine that’s just as much of a crowd-pleaser. Our suggestion: Chardonnay! This white wine is special for its class.

While it still maintains a bright citrus tone, just crisp enough to wake you up for a dance sequence, Chardonnay is known for its buttery and smooth finish. This wine is creamy enough to envelop your mouth in sweetness, like a harmonious chorus from The Sound of Music (1965). However, the fruity notes of this white wine are still playful enough to vibe with the lively beats of Hairspray (2007). You’ll love singing along to your favorite numbers with a glass of Chardonnay in hand!

Classic

Everyone loves a classic, so why not pair a classic film with a classic wine? Whether you’re indulging your inner film critic with Casablanca (1942) or love-hating Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind (1959), you’ll want a bottle of Merlot close at hand.

This bold red is the best of all worlds. It has a middle-body, moderate acidity, and the ideal amount of tannins so that, like an enduring film, it’s guaranteed to please! Merlot has a little bit of everything your classic movie night needs: sweetness, spiciness, and just the right amount of bitterness. Black cherries often make an appearance in the flavor profile of this dear red, so you won’t be able to resist its mature yet timeless taste. Can you imagine a better wine pairing?

Action

Full of suspense, explosions, unexpected turns, and exhilarating fight scenes, action movies are just what you need for a thrilling movie night. If you’re choosing a fast-paced action film to watch, then you’re going to need a wine that packs its own punch! For modern action movies like The Avengers (2012) and timeless thrillers like The Terminator (1984), a glass of Zinfandel will snap your taste buds to attention.

Zinfandel has everything to complement your favorite action movie. A spicy finish will give any car chase the buzz it needs to take you along for the ride. However, a low acidity and fruity overtones will complement the non-action scenes of an action movie, too. For moments like when James Bond gets the girl or Indiana Jones has a heart-to-heart with his father, the sweeter undertones of Zinfandel are just what you need.

Animation & Fantasy

You’re never too old to be transported to a new world through film. Whether you’re being swept away by the magic of Harry Potter or traveling across land and ocean with Moana (2016), a glass of Riesling can make the experience just as delightful.

Feel young again with the fruity fresh tastes of this white wine. Notes of apples, nectarines, and apricots are as playful as the vibrant settings of animated and fantasy movies, and its sweet finish is guaranteed to melt any heart. You’ll feel like you’re flying on air when you sip this light and refreshing drink.

What's your favorite wine-and-movie pair? Let us know below in the comments!

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