Eva Perón, the beloved former first lady of Argentina, famously asked her fellow countrymen not to cry for her. Considering the extraordinary quality of affordable Argentinean wines available today, one wonders why they should cry at all. Great weather, beautiful people and the best beef on earth (the average Argentinean eats over 140 lbs. of it every year) is a tough combination to beat. So imagine my delight in finding a bottle of Michel Rolland’s 2008 Clos de los Siete at my doorstep. This blend (56% Malbec) exemplifies the classic characteristics of the high-altitude Mendoza region: fruit-forward, well-structured tannins, good aging potential and a screaming desire to be drunk while tending the coals of a parrilla.
Movie Pairing:
The above reference notwithstanding, I don’t have the heart to suggest you actually watch “Evita.” No one should be subjected to duets between Madonna and Antonio Banderas. Since my dear friend Dan “The Imbiber” Dunn is usually too blattered to notice anyway, there is no one to prevent me from indulging in a little self aggrandizement and suggesting you drink this wine while watching my debut film, “And Soon the Darkness.” This taut little thriller was filmed on location in Argentina and produced under the influence of tremendous amounts of beef, empanadas and wine.
What to serve it with:
Beef, lots of it.
Price: $18
Imbiber Rating: 89
With election season thankfully behind us I thought it appropriate to drink a wine that in name at least reminds me of the beating my senses took from the 24-hour cable news punditry. Talk about a hangover the morning after the elections. With the dust settled I knew the time had come for a drink so I reached for the Sledgehammer Zinfandel, the kind of no-holds-barred, big and robust red that simply satisfies. And at about $14 a bottle you can’t go wrong. Strong on the blackberries and black pepper, and with a lingering spicy note, for a few minutes I was able to forget that over $4 billion was spent on campaigns this year. There’s only 728 days until the 2012 presidential election and it’s never too early to start drinking, so bottoms up!
Movie Pairing:
In the spirit of election season I’d like to draw a parallel between wine and political films. Like wine, these movies can be easygoing (“Bulworth”), serious (“All The President’s Men”), or even quirky (“Election”). And then there are some that make you stand up and take notice, kind of like the Sledgehammer Zinfandel. It was a toss-up between two great movies, “Wag The Dog” and “The Candidate.” In the end Bill McKay, aka Robert Redford in “The Candidate” gets my vote.
What to serve it with:
The great thing about Zinfandel is that it’s a pretty versatile wine and the Sledgehammer is no exception. It’s fun to drink and its fruit-forward qualities would pair well with almost any meat, even lighter ones like chicken or pork, provided it’s liberally seasoned.
Price: $14
Imbiber Rating: 88
PEBBLE BEACH DOUBLE FEATURE: DOLCE DESSERT WINE AND RAPPORT ZINFANDEL PORT
Written by Marcos Efron
The Pitch:Rare is the double feature in today’s megaplexes. They are a throwback to the days of the studio system when the likes of MGM and Warner Bros. actually owned the movie theaters and frequently paired releases. Times have changed but going out to the “pictures” can still be a special occasion, so imagine my delight in discovering two extraordinary wines at the recent Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival that epitomize what it means to truly be special.
Pretty much for time immemorial the grand dame of sauterne was the hugely expensive Chateau d’Yquem, but that all changed in 1985 when the forward thinkers at Far Niente Winery decided it was time California showed the world it knew how to do dessert wine right. The result is liquid heaven called Dolce, a lush and seriously good wine that explodes with flavor. Ripe pears, honey, creamy vanilla and an insanely silky smooth mouthfeel resolve into a one-of-a-kind finish.
Davis Family Vineyard’s Rapport was for me the surprise of the festival. I like my ports and have tried enough to reasonably know what to expect (including a ‘34 Montepulciano that made my head spin it was so good). My preconceptions thus went out the window when I sampled Rapport and finally knew what it would taste like if one were to distill the essence of a cigar humidor. Believe me, this is a very good thing. Imagine cedar steeped in a smoky broth of dark cherries and clove. I know, it sounds strange but you’ve got to trust me on this one.
Movie Pairing:
The best double features find some thematic element between the two movies to tie the experience together. In the case of these wines, it’s all about character. Dolce should be enjoyed while watching an icon like Humphrey Bogart in a timeless classic like “Casablanca,” preferrably in a lovingly restored Art Deco theater with your best girl or guy at your side. If you can think of a better way to enjoy life, I’d like to hear it. On the other side of the coin, the ballsy, audacious Rapport begs to be paired with a midnight showing of “Layer Cake,” a supremely cool British gangster flick featuring an edgy but cool-as-hell pre-007 Daniel Craig.
What to serve it with:
While at Pebble Beach I was treated to a pairing of Dolce and an assortment of desserts by legendary chef Hubert Keller but it was a banana milkshake of all things that lit up the senses. So skip the chocolate and go for lighter sweets that won't overpower the sublimity of the Dolce. While I have no doubt Rapport would pair nicely with a strong cheese or even a peppery steak, I want mine with a Macanudo Hyde Park Cafe cigar. Cubans like Cohiba or Montecristo tend to be a bit too full-bodied whereas the smoothness of Macanudo complements the Rapport just right.
Price: $85 Dolce, $30 Rapport (375ml bottles)
Imbiber Rating: 95 Dolce, 94 Rapport
MCGUIGAN HAND MADE SHIRAZ 2008
Reviewed March 28, 2010 by Marcos Efron
The Pitch:
God bless Australia, without which we Yanks would never know the pleasures of didgeridoos, Crocodile Dundee and Vegemite. Pardon me, allow me to start again. Ahem... God bless Australia, without which we Yanks would never know the pleasures of oh-so-cute Aussie girls and their accents, Heath Ledger, Mad Max and an endless number of reasons to live life to its fullest. True, we might naively consider Fosters “Australian for beer,” but it’s in the wine department that the continent really shines. Among the New World wine regions, Australia represents arguably the vanguard of viticultural achievement, and their star grape is the Shiraz. Some of the best Shiraz come from the Barossa Valley in the south and one of the tastiest of these comes from McGuigan, a winery with roots dating back to 1869. Their Hand Made Shiraz is a full-bodied, peppery powerhouse with a whiff of black cherry in the long finish. There isn’t a ton of complexity to this offering but I am a fan of the big flavors and easy tannins.
Movie Pairing:
Fighting my urge to embrace the Holy Trinity of Australian cinema – Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, Baz Luhrmann (and by association Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman) – I find myself drawn to one of the baddest-ass movies ever made, Australian or otherwise. Before Eric Bana was a freakish CGI Hulk or a surprisingly convincing Israeli hitman, he was Mark “Chopper” Read. I’m not implying there’s any great thematic bond between the McGuigan Hand Made Shiraz and a movie about a “bloody normal bloke who likes a bit of torture,” but Cinema Vino loves this movie and thinks you will too.
What to serve it with:
Shiraz typically pairs well with meats, cheeses and spicy dishes, and this one is no exception. The McGuigan Hand Made Shiraz more than holds its own with these flavorful dishes. You could also try it with some well-seasoned shrimp “on the barbie” or even a spicy étouffée.
Price: $13
Imbiber Rating: 88
Note: This blend is exclusive to Fresh & Easy stores in the US
The Pitch:There are some things in life that are great to experience but only in small, infrequent doses. Foie gras, “American Idol,” Keith Olbermann and Country music come to mind. I’ll put Port into that category as well because the best of them boast outstanding flavors and bring an entirely new level of enjoyment to imbibing. That said, I can’t imagine drinking more than a snifter or two in any one sitting, no matter how delicious. A couple of bites of foie gras and few minutes of Keith Olbermann’s “Special Comment” usually suffice, too. Any more than that and it’s sensory overload. It has been a few weeks now that I have had the pleasure of sampling the Sandeman 20 Years-Old Tawny Porto, a gorgeous amber-hued elixir with strong fig notes harmonized with subtle hints of honey and vanilla. Since much of the Port I’ve drunk in the past has been of the heavy, sweet variety, to encounter one as light-bodied and satiny smooth as this was a welcome discovery. That seductive mellowness, I learned, is characteristic of Tawny Ports that are aged in wood barrels.
Movie Pairing:
Most of us have our go-to movies depending on our moods. Need a laugh? Watch “Billy Madison” for the thousandth time. Broken heart needs mending? “Love Actually” will help you heal. Feeling an itch for mindless destruction? See Rambo, John. When the mood for a Port strikes, try it with a movie like “The Doors,” a polished and satisfying epic that pairs well with the slow-sipping honeyed smoothness of the Sandeman. Like the Sandeman, a little Oliver Stone goes a long way.
What to serve it with:
Go sweet or go home. Keep a nip or two of the Sandeman nearby when you crack the brittle brown crust of a crème brulée. Caramelized sugar and rich, smooth custard paired with the light, nutty Sandeman should light your fire in a good way.
Price: $52
Imbiber Rating: 93
The Pitch:Northern California’s fertile lands have sung the siren song to wannabe viticulturists for decades and perhaps too many have answered the call. For every Francis Ford Coppola there is that celebrity dilettante who just likes seeing his name on a bottle (Vince Neil, I’m talking to you). To the ranks of Coppola must be added Rich Frank, the one-time President of Walt Disney Studios. Since 1992, Rich has turned his passion for Napa Valley into a serious slate of wines. I was lucky enough to try the 2006 Zinfandel, a wine that gets your attention faster than you can say “Mirror mirror on the wall.” First you notice its deep, velvety color. Then you inhale the massive fruits (cherry, blackberry, plums) and even a bit of clove and pepper. Lastly, take a deep breath and let the ridiculously long finish do its magic.
Movie Pairing:
The Disney film library is deep and varied, with disparate gems like Fantasia, The Pirates of the Caribbean and Tron. Yes, Disney is the “happiest place on earth” but there has always been an unsettling quality to their films. Nowhere is this alchemy of mystery and the macabre better represented than in literature’s most enduringly creepy coming-of-age story, Something Wicked This Way Comes, adapted for the screen by Walt Disney Pictures in 1983. I bet Ray Bradbury could imagine Mr. Dark winding down another stressful day of soul collecting by enjoying a goblet of this devilishly good Zinfandel.
What to serve it with:
If the souls of those desperately seeking beauty, youth or fame aren’t your bag, then try the Frank Family Zinfandel with roasted or barbecued meats and truffle mac ‘n cheese. Sinfully good.
Price: $37
Imbiber Rating: 93
The Pitch:
Let’s start by giving thanks to the 12th Century monks of France’s Southern Rhône Valley. Who would have guessed that on the grounds of the Montézargues priory these erudite men of God would complement their spiritual pursuits with viticultural offerings? Fast forward 900 years and what you have is an AOC vineyard producing a brisk rosé blessed with a heavenly coppery-pink hue. The joy in drinking this begins with the thirst-quenching aromas of green apple and cold, crisp pears. Strawberry and a faint floral scent round out the experience. I would have liked a bit more tartness, but that’s personal taste.
Movie Pairing:
I happen to think everyone deserves a second chance. Were it not for second chances then Elaine would never have ditched Carl on the altar and run away with Ben at the end of “The Graduate.” So, dear reader, I ask you to purge your memory of those fruit-punchy wine coolers your older sister bought for you, pick up this most perfect of movies and see how a well-crafted rosé can conjure love, seduction and Alfa Romeos. Trust me, you will be seduced.
What to serve it with:
My love affair with rosé began on a humid, balmy summer night in Argentina. Desperate for a cool quaff to accompany an insanely good picada of salty cheeses, meats and olives, I found the host offering a glass of rosé. Seeing the heavy drops of condensation slowly dripping off the bowl, I knew I was about to have my deepest desires for thirst satisfaction met. You will too when you pair the Priuré Montézargues with your favorite savory foods.
Price: $20
Imbiber.net rating: 90
Marcos Efron is an award-winning filmmaker living in Los Angeles.
His first feature, "And Soon The Darkness," starring Amber Heard,
Odette Yustman and Karl Urban, hits theaters next year. He can be reached at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The Pitch:
Buena Vista Carneros’ deceptively complex Pinot Noir had me impressed from first taste. I’m an L.A. transplant going on a decade in Tinselstown, so I think by now I know what to expect of my California Pinot Noirs. This is a delightfully fresh wine with robust strawberry and cherry notes that meet the palate with a good, but not exceptional, first impression. But it’s the lingering cinnamon and clove aftertaste that stands out, and you realize how good a well made California Pinot Noir can be. Like Kevin Spacey’s Verbal Kint, this is a wine not to be underestimated.
Movie Pairing:
I recommend a flick that is entertaining, not too heavy but also possessing of a wit and humor that actually improves with each viewing. The accessibility of this wine, combined with a better-than-average finish, had me thinking about lighthearted movies that became instant classics. One movie stood out above all the others. Anyone? Anyone?.... Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The classic teenage wish-fulfillment flick about youth, friendship and having a damn good time is a perfect accompaniment to a wine that reveals more character with each sip.
What to serve it with:
No, not a gummi bear, no matter how long it’s been in your pocket. Ask yourself, what might the Sausage King of Chicago eat with his Pinot Noir? I’m guessing a sweet pork or lamb sausage with strong herbal flavors like mint or fennel.
Price: $25
Imbiber.net rating: 89
Marcos Efron is an award-winning filmmaker living in Los Angeles. His first feature, "And Soon The Darkness," starring Amber Heard, Odette Yustman and Karl Urban, hits theaters next year.
