Wines blend with Oscar nominees

Rather than make a fool of myself predicting eccentric Oscar voting habits, I prefer to concentrate on choosing which wine I should drink while watching a Best Picture nominee.  This year’s Oscar/slash/Movie pairing leads to some good viewing and drinking.  Actually, two basic styles work for five films. Given the horror and bloody nature of both Frankenstein and the vampires of Sinners, a deep red like Syrah enhances the mood. I switch to Champagne and sparkling wines for another group. Since F1 covers Formula racing and people often celebrate victories with Champagne, the French wine suits the move.  The real thing from France matches the full, rich nature of Sentimental Values, while the pricklier bubbles of a Prosecco hit the mark with Bug

onia.  Location determines other picks; a California mindset in One Battle After Another makes the state’s near endemic zinfandel a perfect choice. South American influences in Brazil’s The Secret Agent call up the continent’s ideal Malbec. As for Marty Supreme, he hangs out in New York’s Lower East Side, an ideal venue for Manischewitz kosher wine. Next, I switch to matching tones. Since trees, rocks, and an earthy, lyrical sense highlight Train Dreams, I lean towards a flinty Meursault. Meanwhile Hamnet features traditional respectability with its Shakespeare components, so what the British call claret—a magnificent Bordeaux—falls right in line. Have all these wines given me insight into ultimate winners? No, but investigating the link makes for a happy experience.