Wine and Movie Pairings

Popcorn is always a must for movie nights, but sometimes a glass a wine, or even two, goes well with your favorite flick. We've all heard of pairing wine with food, but have you ever considered pairing wine with certain movies? Just like a great wine, a great movie has layers, moods, and a story to tell. And sometimes a certain wine and movie have such a similar vibe. 

So why not match them up? Below, we’ve picked six iconic or beloved movies and paired each one with a wine that complements its vibe, story, or characters. Whether you’re in the mood for action, romance, or a little nostalgia, we’ve got a bottle (and a film) for you.

1. Movie: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Wine Pairing: Rosé Champagne

Food Pairing: Smoked salmon blinis with crème fraîche and dill

Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel is a cinematic pastry. Colorful, whimsical, and meticulously crafted. The visuals are candy-colored, the characters eccentric, and the pace snappy. It’s a playful but layered movie with deeper themes of loyalty, loss, and nostalgia.

That’s why we’re pairing it with Rosé Champagne. Like the film, Rosé Champagne is both elegant and whimsical. Its pale pink hue matches the pastel aesthetic of the movie, while its refined bubbles and bright juicy notes of red berries bring a sense of fun and sophistication. It’s the kind of wine you’d sip in a five-star hotel lobby, perfect for this quirky masterpiece.

2. Movie: Sideways

Wine Pairing: Pinot Noir (Of course!). Specifically the Sideways Pinot Noir

Food Pairing: Grilled mushrooms

How could we not? Sideways is practically the unofficial wine movie of our time. The film follows two friends on a road trip through California wine country, with plenty of soul-searching and Pinot Noir along the way. (Also a lot of Merlot slander, but we’ll let that slide.)

Pinot Noir is the obvious (and essential) pairing here. Light-bodied and nuanced. Pinot matches the introspective tone of this classic film. As you sip, you’ll pick up on earthy notes, red cherries, and a whisper of spice, which is ideal for a movie that balances humor and heartbreak with a glass in hand.

3. Movie: The Godfather

Wine Pairing: Barolo

Food Pairing: Truffle mushroom risotto

Few films are as iconic and layered as The Godfather. It’s dark, complex, full of tension, and steeped in tradition. You need a wine that stands up to all that weight and legacy.

Enter Barolo, the "King of Wines" from Northern Italy. Made from the Nebbiolo grape, Barolo is bold, tannic, and full of depth. With flavors of dried cherry, leather, and rose petals, it has an old-world gravitas that pairs perfectly with the mafia drama unfolding on screen. Pour yourself a generous glass and settle in, it’s going to be a long (and legendary) ride. Maybe grab another bottle for The Godfather II, but don't bother with part III. 

4. Movie: Amélie

Wine Pairing: Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc)

Food Pairing: Goat cheese tart with fresh herbs

Amélie is all about charm. Set in the whimsical streets of Montmartre, this French classic follows a shy but imaginative young woman who decides to secretly improve the lives of those around her. It’s light, joyful, and full of heart.

Sancerre, a crisp white wine from the Loire Valley made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, is the perfect partner for this Parisian delight. It’s delicate but lively, with bright citrus, green apple, and flinty minerality. Just like Amélie herself, Sancerre has a quiet elegance and a knack for bringing a little brightness into your day.

5. Movie: Mad Max: Fury Road

Wine Pairing: Syrah/Shiraz

Food Pairing: Grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlic

Ready for high-octane energy and post-apocalyptic intensity? Mad Max: Fury Road is a thrill ride with powerhouse performances, amazing visuals, and more dust and diesel than your average wine pairing blog post can handle.

So we’re going bold with a Syrah (or Shiraz). This dark, intense red wine (especially versions from Australia or the Northern Rhône) brings smoky, peppery, meaty notes to the table. It’s as fierce and wild as Furiosa herself, with the kind of grip and grit that can handle both action scenes and desert drama 

6. Movie: La La Land

Wine Pairing: Chardonnay (specifically from Sonoma Coast)

Food Pairing: Seared scallops with lemon butter sauce

La La Land is dreamy, nostalgic, and a little bittersweet. It’s about chasing your passion, navigating love, and learning to let go. The film is visually stunning, bathed in golden light and set to a jazzy, emotional soundtrack.

A Sonoma Coast Chardonnay captures the mood of this movie beautifully. These Chardonnays tend to have a graceful balance between ripe fruit and refreshing acidity, often with a subtle touch of oak. Notes of lemon curd, apple, and a hint of vanilla dance across the palate like a romantic waltz under the stars. It’s classic, yet modern, just like the film.

Honorable mentions 

Jaws + Chablis
Food Pairing: Lemon-Herb Grilled Shrimp or Fresh Oysters

A coastal classic demands a wine with briny, ocean-kissed freshness. Enter Chablis. steely, mineral-driven Chardonnay from northern Burgundy. It’s crisp and clean, the kind of wine that begs for seafood and seaside vibes. Pair it with grilled shrimp in lemon and herbs or a plate of fresh oysters for the full "beach town on the edge" experience. Just don’t blame us if you start hearing ominous cello music.

The Devil Wears Prada + Champagne
Food Pairing: Smoked Salmon Blinis or Truffle Popcorn

Nothing says glamour like Champagne, and nothing says fashion like The Devil Wears Prada. Effervescent, elegant, and a little intimidating, this pairing is all about style.
Serve it with smoked salmon blinis for full sophistication, snack on some truffle popcorn. Either way, you’ll be sipping something fabulous while Miranda raises an eyebrow in judgment.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring + Bordeaux Blend
Food Pairing: Rosemary Roast Lamb or Hearty Mushroom Stew

An epic film deserves an epic wine, and a Bordeaux blend fits the bill. With notes of dark berries, leather, and herbs, it’s as complex and structured as Tolkien’s world-building. Pair it with a dish straight out of the Shire like rosemary roast lamb or a mushroom stew hearty enough for a hobbit. Ideal for those marathon viewing sessions where you do not simply walk into Mordor, you decant into Mordor.

So next time you have a movie night give these pairings a try!  

Contributed by Ray Ibanez, E-Commerce Manager for Plume Ridge Bottle Shop.