After what has been one of the craziest years, as we can all affirm, this Sunday the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science will finally host the 93th Annual Oscars! We are so excited.

And, nothing is better to toast a celebration than Champagne. And, for the 7^th year in a row, the esteemed Champagne House, Piper Heidsieck is partnering with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences with their special limited edition magnum presentation of their cuvee brut, this year presented in a special illuminated magnum bottle to “light up” the celebration. We raise a glass to all the nominees and the great films presented in this very unique year.

An event this size couldn’t be passed up, so we are finally back into a socially distanced, and everyone vaccinated, recording studio for our 101th episode of “Cogill Wine and Film, A Perfect Pairing” Oscar style on reVolver Podcasts. A link to the show is here. For more on the pairings, specifically pairing with a handful of key nominations, and Gary’s completed Oscar ballot, please see below. For why these are paired with each category, please do listen to the show!

The ceremony is this Sunday evening, so if you haven’t seen any of the nominated films….you have about 48 hours to see at least 30 films. Luckily, in this weird year, quite a few of them are available on your favorite streaming platform. Wow, what a difference a year makes. #Cheers!

Best Screenplay/Adapted Screenplay
with
2016 Domaine Carneros Brut Sparkling Wine, Carneros, CA

Every glass of wine tells a story, so we begin the night toasting the stories of the night. From sustainably grown estate fruit, the wine is complex from the start, the sparkler begins with enticing aromas of green apple, hazelnut, orange blossom honey and lychee leading into a rich, full palate, revealing Asian pear, golden apple, and quince, lingering with a long finish. Pair with creamy triple cream, oysters, or shellfish.

Best Actor/Supporting Actor
with
2019 LVE by John Legend Rose, Provence, France

A handful of years ago EGOT winner decided to add winemaker to his title, partnering with Jean Charles Boisset to create Legend’s LVE wine. From the land of great Rose, Legend and Boisset found rocky, sandstone filled soils in Cotes de Provence to create a floral, fragrant wine layering Herbs de Provence notes of lavender and lilac with fresh raspberry, apricot, melon, and golden peach. Perfect with summer salads, pasta, or grilled white fish.

Best Actress/Supporting Actress
with
2018  WALT Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Sonoma, CA

From Dallas resident, Sonoma native, former Ambassador to Austria, and co-founder of Dallas’ North Texas Food Bank, Kathryn Walt Hall, highlighting vibrant aromas of ripe lemon, fresh cream, and subtle, spicy oak thanks to 15 months of French oak aging. The palate is broad and flavorful, with a rich and layered finish that is balanced by racy minerality.with lush texture. Pair with roasted chicken, creamy pasta dishes, or even grilled beef tenderloin with a creamy au poivre sauce. 

Best Director
with
2018 Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Twenty-five+ years ago Texas natives Adam Lee and Dianna Novy Lee dreamed about moving to California to make great Pinot Noir. Their dream turned into a highly successful reality with Siduri Wine, producing character driven Pinot Noir that tells a story of place in each bottle. From Willamette Valley, known for their luscious, wild berry and truffle filled Pinot Noir, Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is a robust, fruit-forward wine with plenty savory spices, brambly blackberry, black cherry, and peppery cinnamon intermingle on the full-bodied palate and a long finish pairing perfectly with grilled salmon or pork tenderloin.

Best Film
with
2018 – 8 Years In the Desert by Orin Swift red blend, Napa Valley, CA

From celebrated Napa Valley winemaker, Dave Phinney, the wine is robust, bold, and fruit-forward with plenty savory spices, coffee, brambly blackberry, black cherry, and peppery cinnamon intermingle on the full-bodied palate and a long, velvety finish. Allow this beauty to breathe a bit before enjoying. A perfect grilled ribeye or braised beef wine.

Gary’s Oscar ballot is below. Good luck with your predictions, and cheers to all the nominees!