The Barbenheimers, formerly known as the Oscars, were presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., and the wines were as star-powered as Ryan Gosling's performance of "I'm Just Ken."
Oscar winner and Château Miraval co-owner Brad Pitt's Fleur de Miraval played the role of official Champagne of the 96th annual Academy Awards, while former screenwriter and current Domaine Clarence Dillon president Prince Robert of Luxembourg supplied the reds and whites, from his family's La Mission Haut-Brion estate in Bordeaux. And then, of course, there were the shots (always preferred to slaps).
Midway through the Oscars ceremony, host Jimmy Kimmel (last seen here drinking Barefoot Cabernet) was joined by his Jimmy Kimmel Live sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez, who invited the entire attending audience to join the two of them for a shot of Don Julio 1942 tequila.
Champagne flutes took the stage during Gosling's blockbuster musical number, albeit only as empty props, devoid of celebratory bubbles. But there was more than enough Fleur de Miraval Brut Rosé Champagne Exclusivement ER3 NV (95 points, $350) for anyone who needed a pre- or post-tequila palate refresher. The rosé-or–no way Champagne brand, launched in 2020, is a partnership between Pitt, the Rhône's Famille Perrin and Champagne's Rodolphe Péters.
Last year, Domaine Clarence Dillon replaced Francis Ford Coppola's wine label as the official reds and whites of the Oscars, and leading the still wines category this year was Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion 2010 (93 points, $193 on release). Also served, both at the ceremony as well as at the Governors Ball catered by chef Wolfgang Puck and the Oscars Night at the Museum, were Clarendelle red 2016 and Clarendelle white 2022.
"Since its earliest days, our family company Domaine Clarence Dillon has been a fervent supporter and promoter of the arts both in France and on the international stage," read a statement from Prince Robert. "With Clarendelle, we are thrilled and honored to be part of the biggest night in Hollywood. We join the millions of viewers from all around the world to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the 96th Oscars nominees."
More from Hollywood & Wine: Justin and Franciacorta at the Emmys, a Salute to Culinary Cinema and Canned Wine at the Movies
At the 37th American Cinematheque Awards in February, Château Malartic-Lagravière reprised its charitable role, this year with screen legend Helen Mirren.
In January, at the 75th Primetime Emmys hosted by Wine Down with Carmelo Anthony guest Anthony Anderson, California's Justin Vineyards and Italy's Franciacorta served as the official still and sparkling wines, respectively.
"We are thrilled to partner with the Television Academy to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements in television,” said Justin Vineyards and Winery senior VP Clarence Chia. “It’s an honor to toast all the incredible talent nominated for this year’s Emmy Awards.”
Also in January, Frank Family Vineyards founder and former president of Disney Studios Rich Frank announced the creation of the Richard Frank Scholarship for the American Film Institute, a multimillion-dollar commitment that will endow 20 scholarships per year for the next 10 years.
Coming up in April, the Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) and the Culinary Institute of America will host Salute to Culinary Cinema, a four-film series starting April 5 at Copia's Ecolab Theatre. Co-presented by the Culinary Institute of America and curated by Turner Classic Movies host Dave Karger, the film series features The Taste of Things, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, The Hundred-Foot Journey and Tampopo. (Tampopo also made the cut for the first edition of Wine Spectator's Essential Wine and Food Viewing.)
Also on tap for the NVFF: Karger will host a reading and signing for his new book, 50 Oscar Nights, featuring interviews with actors and filmmakers about the nights they won their statuettes.
“The only thing I love as much as watching a terrific movie is enjoying a wonderful meal," said Karger in a statement. "I’ve loved being at the Napa Valley Film Festival in the past and I’m so looking forward to sharing these films with my fellow cinema-loving foodies.” All proceeds from Salute to Culinary Cinema will support Cinema Napa Valley and the Culinary Institute of America Scholarship Fund.
And finally, for those of us who aren't movie stars, there's a can of Archer Roose coming soon to more than 100 Regal Cinemas nationwide. Presumably, actress and Archer Roose co-owner Elizabeth Banks won't be handing out live snakes … again.
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