Hollywood and Wine

This just in, the latest news for Hollywood and Wine. The Contemporary Art Center of Virginia has chosen “Hollywood and Wine” as its theme of its 18th Wine by Design gala. With an assignment that challenges the noggins of both wine and movie experts: What are the top 10 movies to feature wine?

Sure, romantic seduction often features a sip of the grape in hundreds of scenes (such as Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant drifting down the Seine in “Charade” in 1963) – but, come to think of

it, not many movies have actually been about wine.

Wine expert Roy Williams has been assigned a task even more daunting than selecting the movies: choosing three wines to go with each film (the choices were, however, limited to California wines). This means more than 30 varieties of wine will be up for sipping.

The event has become “the premiere wine tasting event at the Beach,” said Tiffany Russell, the museum’s manager of special events. It is attended by some 800 museum supporters and bon vivants. Staged in the atrium, auditorium and galleries, it features red-carpet festivities and two live bands, JuJu and the After Hours and Double Take.

Chefs from about 20 local restaurants are contributing culinary treats, and there will be an exhibit of movie memorabilia. I’ve loaned, from my own collection, a jeweled Siamese prop from the set of “The King and I,” a replica of an Indiana Jones bullwhip and items from actress Ava Gardner’s London apartment – as well as autographed pictures and posters.

Click on the link to see their 10 top wine movies.