M Wine

Chianti Broglio

After meeting up with the man identifying himself as Captain Nash, James Bond and Tatiana Romanova head for a meal aboard the Orient Express.

In the restaurant car, Bond ordered Americanos and a bottle of Chianti Broglio. The wonderful European hors d’oeuvres came. Tatiana began to look more cheerful.

The Chianti Broglio or (Brolio) was a wine from The Castle of Brolio, an 11th century estate which did much for the promotion and development of Chianti wine.

chianti

In 1872, Baron Bettino Ricasoli wrote down the formula for his Chianti:

…I verified the results of the early experiments, that is, that the wine receives most of its aroma from the Sangioveto (which is my particular aim) as well as a certain vigour in taste; the Canajuolo gives it a sweetness which tempers the harshness of the former without taking away any of its aroma, though it has an aroma all of its own; the Malvagia, which could probably be omitted for wines for laying down, tends to dilute the wine made from the first two grapes, but increases the taste and makes the wine lighter and more readily suitable for daily consumption…

brolio

The wine along with the Americanos put both Bond and Tatiana into a better, more relaxed mood.

M Wine

Kavaklıdere Wine

While having lunch with Darko Kerim in From Russia With Love, Bond has kebabs, watches Kerim eat his raw meat, and they have a bottle of wine.

The second course came, and with it a bottle of Kavaklidere, a rich course burgundy like any other Balkan wine.

Kavaklidere is the oldest and most famous winery in Turkey.

tarih2

In describing the wine as a “burgundy” Fleming is referring to its color, a deep rich red, likely from either the Öküzgözü  (“ox eye”) grape or the Boğazkere (translates to “throat burner”) grape.  The latter produces a strong bodied red wine with very rich and strong aromas of dried red fruits, and spices, and is said to pair very well with red meat kebabs.

Vineyards of the Kavaklidere Winery.
Vineyards of the Kavaklidere Winery.
M Wine

Bollinger Champagne

This famous champagne makes but one appearance in the Ian Fleming novels. His James Bond is more of a Taittinger man.

It takes place in Diamonds Are Forever, and Bond doesn’t even make the decision. Tiffany Case decides to send him a message to show that she can whip up a good Sauce Béarnaise – a requirement that Bond only half-jokingly made when asked what he wanted in a wife.

They are on the RMS Queen Elizabeth and Bond is in his cabin. There is a knock at the door, and the waiter brings in a tray.

Bond slipped off the bed and went over and examined the contents of the tray. He smiled to himself. There was a quarter bottle of Bollinger, a chafing dish containing four small slivers of steak on toast canapés, and a small bowl of sauce. Beside this was a pencilled note which said ‘This Sauce Béarnaise has been created by Miss T. Case without my assistance.’ Signed ‘The Chef.’

Bond is suitably impressed with the Sauce Béarnaise. Nothing is said about the Bollinger Champagne, though we can assume Bond enjoyed it as well.

Bollinger is one of the most well-known champagnes in the world, originating in the Champagne area of France. The house was founded in 1829 and remains in the family to this day. bolinger

bollinger1950s bollinger1955

 

M Wine

Dom Perignon ’46

After M places his wine order at Blades in Moonraker, James Bond asks the wine-waiter to make a suggestion.

The wine-waiter was pleased. “If I may suggest it, sir, the Dom Perignon ‘46. I understand that France only sells it for dollars, sir, so you don’t often see it in London. I believe it was a gift from the Regency Club in New York, sir. I have some on ice at the moment. It’s the Chairman’s favourite and he’s told me to have it ready every evening in case he needs it.”

moet-chandon-dom-perignon-brut-champagne

Here are tasting notes from this vintage:

Wine Spectator
94/100 (09-1986)
Really lives up to its reputation; rich and toasty like the Doms of old. Dry and full-bodied, pale gold in color, with fine, slow bubbles, smelling of fresh bread dough and toast. Highly extracted, lemony, toasty, smooth, elegant, clean and crisp, with very good acidity and balance. Long finish.

M Wine

Mouton Rothschild ‘34

In Moonraker when James Bond and M are having dinner at Blades, 007’s boss gives his wine order:

“Then what?” asked M. “Champagne? Personally I’m going to have a half-bottle of claret. The Mouton Rothschild ‘34, please, Grimley. But don’t pay any attention to me, James. I’m an old man. Champagne’s no good for me.

A few bottles of the 1934 Mouton Rothschild are still circulating and people are still opening and tasting them.

A 2008 professional review from the link above:

The 1934 Mouton Rothschild immediately seized control of this flight with its deeper, richer and lusher nose. It was very brooding by comparison with its incredible and trademarked chocolate aromas, accompanied by earth, minerals and nuts. The nose also had an intense trio of cedar, ceramics and mahogany. The palate was intense and hearty, meaty and long with great acidity. The finish was thick and grainy. Rob picked up on some also trademarked ‘mint.’ Earth and oak flavors rounded out this beauty…

mouton-rothschild-34

 

mouton-rothschild-34b

You can click on the second image for some tasting notes from someone who has tried this particular vintage.

M Wine

Mouton Rothschild ’53

In On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, when Bond goes out to dinner prior to his night at the Casino where he rescues Tracy from the “Gambit of Shame,” Bond enjoys a turbot poche (poached turbot fish) with sauce mousseline (made of egg yolks, butter, lemon juice, and whipped cream) and “half the best roast partridge he had eaten in his life,” Bond was feeling stimulated, helped by a half-bottle of Mouton Rothschild ’53. (and a glass of ten-year-old Calvados – apple brandy)

1953 marked the 100th anniversary of Château Mouton Rothschild.This vintage is still drawing rave reviews when tasted.

Wine guru Robert Parker gave the following review:

95 points Robert Parker: “I remember a friend of mine decanting a magnum of the 1953 and sticking it under my nose to share with me the incredible bouquet. In addition to the exotic aromas of soy sauce, new saddle leather, cassis, herbs, and spices, the 1953 offers a deep ruby color with some amber at the edge. Sweet and fat, with voluptuously-textured fruit, this low acid wine has no noticeable tannin. While it may be living dangerously, it is a decadent treat if it is drunk immediately after decanting.”

mouton-rothschild-53

 

M Wine

Taittinger Blanc de Blanc

In Casino Royale, James Bond and Vesper are having champagne, and Bond originally requests a Taittinger ’45. The wine waiter replies:

‘A fine wine, monsieur,’ said the sommelier. ‘But if the monsieur will permit,’ he pointed with his pencil, ‘the Blanc de Blanc Brut 1943 of the same marque is without equal.’

Bond accepts the suggestion, noting to Vesper that while this is not a well-known brand, “it is probably the finest champagne in the world.”

In seems that Bond has spent time extolling the virtues of Taittinger to others, including his boss, M. From Moonraker:

We’ve got some good champagnes, haven’t we, Grimley? None of that stuff you’re always telling me about, I’m afraid, James. Don’t often see it in England. Taittinger, wasn’t it?”

Bond tries to play it down, saying it was only a “fad” of his, but we know better. Following Grimley’s suggestion however, Bond ends up with a Dom Perignon ‘46.

In On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Bond has checked into the Hotel Splendide, he “ordered from Room Service a bottle of the Taittinger Blanc de Blanc that he had made his traditional drink at Royale.” 

So, that tradition appears to have begun in Casino Royale.

This ad is from just a couple of years after OHMSS was written:

taittinger