The Journal / Light
Grands crus and the Big Screen
What do François Pignon and James Bond have in common? Lafite, of course!
Our wines have starred in countless movie scenes: from the iconic James Bond franchise to beloved French comedies like The Dinner Game. But what makes Lafite and cinema such a golden pairing? Let’s delve into this subtle yet passionate romance to find out.
From Bordeaux with love
James Bond hardly needs a grand cru to make an impression. Yet in A View to a Kill, Bond indulges in a moment of pure sophistication at the Jules Verne, in between a chase through the Eiffel Tower and a spontaneous parachute drop. Detective Aubergine orders a 1959 Château Lafite Rothschild right after the champagne. Bond’s simple but telling response — “Another excellent choice” — suggests the quality of this wine speaks for itself. In the blink of an eye, the realms of viticulture and espionage converge.
A Royale with Lafite?
Kingsman: The Secret Service is a film that masterfully balances opulence with irony. When Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) recommends a 1945 Château Lafite Rothschild, he suggests pairing it with a Big Mac. Yes, you read that right. And why not? It’s a bit like Julio Iglesias, who was spotted inside his private jet, pairing his bucket of chicken wings with, you guessed it, a bottle of Lafite.
“Excellent suggestion. However, nothing surpasses two cheeseburgers accompanied with secret sauce. Goes well with a 1945 Lafite.“
Sour grapes
In The Dinner Game, our Lafite suffers a dreadful fate. Trapped in his own apartment, Pierre Brochant (Thierry Lhermitte) adds vinegar to a bottle of 1978 Château Lafite Rothschild to deceive a tax inspector. The verdict? “Not bad—could even exceed expectations”, remarks François Pignon (Jacques Villeret) with a burst of delightful absurdity. Sure, the wine may be reduced to a gag, a sacrilege for oenophiles, but the scene also reveals a simple truth: even in disguise, Lafite retains its nobility. (Disclaimer: Don’t try this at home, folks.)
Château Denis?
In Ah! Si j’étais riche, Jean-Pierre Darroussin stars as Aldo, a lottery winner seeking revenge against his ex-boss, who’s now with his wife. At a dinner party, he tries to take revenge by serving an 1985 Château Lafite Rothschild, cleverly decanted into a bottle of table wine. The ex-boss takes a sip without looking at the bottle, savoring what he assumes is a grand cru. He tries to guess its prestigious origins but his eyes fall on the bottle label, prompting him to exclaim, “Château Denis?” followed by, “Where did you find that?” Aldo’s wife replies, “At Shopi.”
From cork to cult
Since the ‘80s, Lafite has woven itself into Asian pop culture. Its legendary status was cemented in the Hong Kong classic God of Gamblers (1989), where Chow Yun Fat famously requests “a bottle of 1982 Lafite.” This iconic moment ignited a cultural phenomenon, with references to the coveted vintage appearing in films like Young and Dangerous 5 and Exiled, where characters casually quip, “I use 1982 Lafite as mouthwash.”
Argentina in the spotlight
Let’s cross the Atlantic and head to Bodegas CARO in Argentina. Here, the fusion of wine and cinema takes on a whole new dimension. The estate, located in the heart of Mendoza, has its own cultural space. For more than 7 years, it has hosted a wide range of events combining art, heritage, and wine.
November 2024 saw the end of the “Cine+Vino” cycle: a whole year dedicated to Argentinian cinema and its link with tango. For the locals, it was an opportunity to discover an exhibition of original posters from the golden age of Argentinian cinema (The Search for Nostalgia), to attend a concert of film music (with singer Daniela Horowitz) or to enjoy the screening of great classics (such as El día que me quieras) on the plazoleta.
Events like these welcome the local community into Bodegas CARO, intertwining wine and cinema in a meaningful way.
The ‘Vino+Cine’ cycle has already come to an end, but it’s far from over…The Lumière brothers’ legacy might just have some competition!
Roll credits
Like movies, exceptional wines possess a unique ability to endure and captivate our imagination. From Hollywood blockbusters to French comedies, our bottles have quietly made their mark over the years. And much like cult classics, fine wines improve with age, becoming scene stealers in their own right.
