Oscar Sunday

The perfect movie for the gal who really loves wine

The Super Bowl for the non-football crowd, the Oscars are finally here! I personally can’t wait to see what nominee Helena Bonham Carter wears (or doesn’t wear) to the ceremony. Her movie The King’s Speech is apparently the one to beat for Best Picture, and Colin Firth should rack up his first Oscar by the end of the evening.

And how to celebrate? Well, here are some good suggestions from Variety, who asked Alexis Kahn from the International Culinary Center on his take.  

"For Black Swan, Kahn suggests the 2007 Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs -- literally "white from black," it's a white sparkling wine made from pinot noir grapes. The Fighter demands the underdog: an American wine, the 2008 Ridge Dry Creek Valley Lytton Springs Valley Zinfandel while Inception 2006 Sauvignon Blanc "Prince in his Caves" Farina Vineyard. At $54.99, that's also a bigger budget wine for a bigger-budget film calls for a layered

127 Hours requires a drink for long journeys, Kahn says: The 1996 Broadbent Colheita Madeira. Madeira was fortified with extra alcohol by 18th century sailors to withstand extreme conditions, and this example is aged to an even tastier nutty flavor -- appropriate for a guy who decided to go canyoneering alone. 

But if you're not into alone time, The Social Network is probably your pic. Kahn suggests the 2007 Estezargues "From the Tank" Cotes-du-Rhone, a boxed wine that contains a whopping four bottles -- perfect for reliving college days.

Naturally, True Grit is paired with a Cab that contains "gritty" tannins, while The King's Speech may have the best pairing of all: an Australian Reisling, a wine yearning, Kahn enthuses, to be heard."

For me I’m actually going to go with a 2006 Pillar Rock Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stag's Leap District in Napa Valley, in honor of the cool California vibe channeled by The Kids Are All Right. (My bias: Nominee Mark Ruffalo is also my favorite actor).

And if it’s a drinking game you want, here’s Esquire’s official guide to the 2011 Oscars.  Although I think Anne Hathaway is going to change outfits at least 15 times, so be wary.