As we look forward to the holidays and to spending time with family and friends, let’s cherish the moment and lift a glass in thanks for all of our blessings! With bellies full and cheeks rosy from tasty wines, many of us this season will gather with family to watch a holiday film (it is good for digestion!). Here are some of our holiday movie recommendations paired with our favorite wines and sake—just the thing to get us in the spirit…And if you wish to sip along with us, hurry up and purchase your wines at the Wine365 Shop.

1. “It’s a Wonderful Life” with an angelic Chilean wine

Release date: December 20, 1946 – currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Director: Frank Capra

This timeless classic of American cinema follows George Baily as he is about to give up the greatest gift given to us all (his life), when a guardian angel named Clarence is sent to him in Bedford Falls. The angel shows him how he has touched the lives of others and how different life would be for his wife and the community had he not been born.

We all wish and hope we have a “Clarence” looking over us, but for now, uncork a bottle of the Chilean Montes Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère with its signature angel on the label, and feel the presence of divinity in every sip.

2. “A Christmas Carol” and a Dickens-approved Port & red wine cocktail

Release date: December 19, 2019 – currently streaming on Hulu with membership

Director: Nick Murphy

This dark and realistic 2019 adaptation of A Christmas Carol by creator Steven Knight (“Peaky Blinders”) for FX and BBC One may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but it is brilliantly fitting for a Victorian-era Dickensian story. The character development is a far cry from previous adaptations, and Guy Pearce is the first handsome Scrooge. His performance as well as that of the all-star cast is outstanding.

Besides being a literary genius, did you know that Dickens was somewhat of a foodie of his day? He wrote with special care when it came to food and drinks in his novels and immortalized the Smoking Bishop in the final toast between Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit. We suggest you recreate this classic hot drink, similar to mulled wine, for your viewing party by using Fonseca BIN 27 and Michele Chiarlo Le Orme Barbera d’Asti DOCG.

3. “Elf” and a bubbly Lambrusco

Release date: November 7, 2003 – currently streaming on HBO-MAX with a subscription

Director: Jon Favreau

Surely everyone has seen Elf, which is ranked among the greatest modern Christmas films. So, my fellow cotton-headed ninny muggins, let’s remember to live by “The Code of The Elves” this season:

• Treat Every Day Like Christmas
• There’s Room for Everyone on The Nice List
• The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer Is Singing Loud for All to Hear

Adhering to Elfin rule number three: download the soundtrack for free on Amazon and belt along with Louis Prima, Lena Horne, Eartha Kitt, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and more…it was certified Gold and sold 695,000 copies in the US, and is the second-highest selling soundtrack album for a Christmas-themed film since Nielsen SoundScan started tracking music sales in 1991.

And since drinking maple syrup will not do for us non-elfin kin, pour yourself a glass of chilled effervescent Medici Ermete Quercioli Dolce Lambrusco to sweeten you up for karaoke and keep you “Singing Loud for All to Hear!”

4. “Die Hard” and an unexpected sparkling

Release date: July 15, 1988 – currently on STARZ with a subscription

Director: John McTiernan

This action flick is the renegade of Christmas movies – it was never intended to be one! However, because the action is set at Christmas, it has become a top holiday film in its own right. As John McClain would say, “Yippie-ki-yay…” and pop some corks to watch the full franchise, because why not?

Pair this wild ride with Alta Vista Brut Rosé of Malbec from Argentina, which is just as unexpected and unique to the world of sparkling wines as Die Hard is to holiday movies, making them a perfect match! 

5. “The Noel Diary” and an unexpected sparkling

Release date: November 24, 2022, available on Netflix with a subscription

Director: Charles Shyer

And of course, what would be the Holiday Season without a good rom-com? The Noel Diary is an adaptation of Richard Paul Evans’ bestselling novel of the same name, and in our opinion is the best new rom-com release of 2022. It is perfectly scripted and directed by Oscar-nominated veteran writer/ director Charles Shyer of Father of the Bride, Private Benjamin, and Alfie fame.  The stellar cast carries out this human story of loss, new love, and family reconciliation with ease and humanity. It is a far cry from the usual overacted holiday movie fare.

Speaking of “Die Hard,” John McClain’s wife (actor Bonnie Bedelia) is cast as the eccentric, young-at-heart next-door neighbor in “The Noel Diary.” We are pairing this feel-good film with Bodega Norton Select Sauvignon Blanc: a refreshing and easy-sipping wine.

All these amazing wines (other than the Port) are available in a convenient Christmas bundle only a click away at our Wine365 Shop. Order now to ensure they are on time for your movie marathon!