Wine Enthusiast Magazine / March 2006 / Oscar-Worthy Wine

Oscar-Worthy Wine

Celebrities drink up at the Oscars.

The Oscar ceremony and Hollywood are synonymous with luxurious perks and goodies. From the dresses and jewelry to the food and drink, this year was no exception. Laurent-Perrier Champagne celebrated its tenth year as the chosen sparkler for the celebration. Grand Siècle by Laurent-Perrier was served at the pre-show reception and at the Governor's Ball after the main event.  In addition, a bottle of this prestige cuvée was included in the coveted gift baskets worth a reported $75,000 - 100,000 each, depending on whether the recipient was a presenter or a nominee.

Also in attendance at the Governors Ball, for the third consecutive year, were two special Sterling Vineyards wines.

The 2004 Gold Standard Reserve Chardonnay, a very limited edition white wine, joins the 2002 Red Carpet Reserve, a Cabernet Sauvignon blend.  Sterling's Vice President of Winemaking, Mike Westrick accurately said, "The Oscars® recognize the very best talent of our time and I believe we have created wines truly worthy of that celebration."

Another Napa winery, Clos Du Val, toasted the celebrities while raising money for charity. Clos Du Val had a presence at three major events over the course of Oscar week: the "Extra" Oscar Awards Lounge, the Children Uniting Nations Oscar-viewing dinner and the Los Angeles Confidential magazine's Oscar luncheon to honor women in Hollywood.

The "Extra" Oscar Awards Lounge at the Le Meridien hotel boasted A-list attendees who spent a day being pampered while sipping Clos Du Val's 2002 Ariadne, a blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as the 2001 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon.

As part of the event, "Extra" held an online auction to benefit Race to Erase MS.  Clos Du Val contributed a double-magnum of the 1978 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, valued at $1,045.

Among the A-list celebs who attended the event was Alyson Hannigan, star of CBS's "How I Met Your Mother" and best-known for her roles in the "American Pie" movies and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Hannigan dropped by Clos Du Val's gifting table March 2 at the "Extra" Oscar Awards Lounge and snagged a half-bottle of the soon-to-be-released Clos Du Val 2004 Chardonnay, a bag of Chardonnay peanut brittle and a gift card for a three-bottle set of Cabernet Sauvignons. During an interview for "Extra," Hannigan explained that her husband, fellow "Buffy" alum Alexis Denisof, has quite a bit of wine knowledge, and she's now trying to expand her own.

Other celebrities to receive Clos Du Val goodies included Cheryl Hines of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," William Shatner of "Boston Legal," and James Pickens, Jr. of "Grey's Anatomy."

 

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