Wine With Wanda

The Bubbly Side of Bond: Bollinger 007 Special Cuvée

The silver screen's most famous spy may be best known for the specific way he orders his Martinis, but James Bond, aka 007, is also a fan of bubbly, specifically Champagne Bollinger. Bollinger and Bond have been linked together since Roger Moore ordered it in 1973's Live and Let Die. Bolly, as the Brits affectionately call Bollinger, has been featured in 14 Bond films. And believe it or not, there has never been a formal agreement or exchange of money between Bollinger and the producers of Bond; the deal was sealed with a handshake in 1979 and has been honored for more than 40 years. Bond would approve. 

In honor of the newest Bond film, No Time to Die, and their long-standing relationship with the franchise, Bollinger has recently released an exclusive 007 Special Cuvée gift pack ($79). "The limited-edition gift box features the silhouette of James Bond alongside his Aston Martin DB5. The colourway of the gift box echoes the silver birch finish of the DB5. The Bollinger lettering and logos are depicted in gold, and the iconic Special Cuvée bottle has been adapted to feature a black and gold neck collar with a 007 blazon."

The wine contained in the limited edition 007 box and bottle is Bollinger's iconic Special Cuvée. If you're not a Bond fan and just want to purchase the classic bottle sans the 007 flourishes, it also retails for about $79. 

Of course, the association with Bond adds an extra dash of sex appeal to Bollinger's elegant image, but what really matters is the quality of the bubbly within the bottle. Special Cuvée is Bollinger's flagship wine and doesn't disappoint. True to the Bollinger style, Pinot Noir is the majority of the blend at 60%. Balanced out with 25% Chardonnay and 15% Meunier, Special Cuvée is composed primarily of reserve wines, part of which have been aged in magnum for 5-15 years. Complex, crisp, fresh, spicy, and full of finesse, it is a beautiful bubbly. Pop the cork on a bottle of Bollinger 007 Special Cuvée and unleash your international woman/man/person of mystery. 

Denis Bunner, Deputy Cellar Master, Bollinger

PS -  Last year, before the world went crazy, I had the pleasure of tasting through several Bollinger bubblies with their deputy cellar master, Denis Bunner. That seems like a lifetime ago, but I still remember the beauty of the wines. Founded in 1829, Bollinger is one of the few Champagne houses to produce the majority of the grapes for their blends. From their flagship Special Cuvée to their vintage wines like La Grande Année 2008 and R.D. 2004, Bollinger precisely balances richness with vibrancy. Pinot Noir is the dominant grape in Bollinger Champagne, and it imbues their bubblies with a luscious vinous quality. 

Storyscapes: Bombay Sapphire House of Imagination at the Tribeca Film Festival

This Exquisite Forest is one of the five Storyscapes featured at the Bombay Sapphire House of Imagination. The project allows people to create short animations in their web browser and build on the animations of others, creating a series of branching narrative trees that grow bigger as more people contribute.

One of the most popular annual happenings in New York City is the Tribeca Film Festival.  Founded in 2002, TFF is more than just a cinematic extravaganza - it is the catalyst for countless cool parties and events. If you're looking for something truly unique to do at the Festival, check out the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE House of Imagination: Storyscapes  from April 18-21.

Free and open the public, specialty BOMBAY SAPPHIRE cocktails and artisanal snacks will be served throughout Storyscapes - an all-new juried section at this year’s Festival, which honors transmedia and interactive innovation across genres. The launch of this collaborative installation encourages interactive public participation within the five Storyscapes selections. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to share personal accounts of Hurricane Sandy, engage with insomnia, or even create their own documentary with robots!I know, it may sound a little out there, but click here to read descriptions of the Storyscapes - they're pretty intriguing.

General Admission Hours:

4/18: 6pm - 10pm
4/19: 1pm - 6pm
4/20: 12pm - 5pm
4/21: 12pm - 5pm

Click here for the location of the Bombay Sapphire house of Imagination and to register. All visitors must be 21 or over. 

 

Perfect Pairings: The James Bond Formula for Adventure

James Bond films combine exotic locales, classic cocktails, a dashing leading man, brazen bad guys, and femme fatales to create the ultimate cinematic escape. In honor of 007's 50th anniversary and the latest flick, Skyfall, I'm sharing this fun infographic from Harley & Co. that gives you the formula for creating your own Bond adventures.

Drink Like a Bond Girl at the Draycott Hotel in London

Here is a serious question to ponder - if you were cast as a James Bond movie femme fatale what would your name be? I think I'll go with Black Dress Bombshell (hey, if you're going to fantasize - go big!) If you need some inspiration to come up with your perfect Bond Girl alias, check yourself into the 5-Star Draycott Hotel in London and brainstorm while sipping on a complimentary "Shaken, Not Stirred" martini.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of James Bond and the new movie, Skyfall, the Draycott will serve "Shaken, Not Stirred" martinis in the hotel lounge from October 25 through November 15, 2012. Some scenes from the new Bond film were shot nearby the Draycott - one of London’s landmark hotels. This new martini takes its name from the catchphrase “shaken, not stirred,” which was first uttered by the forever gorgeous Sean Connery in the 1964 Bond movie Goldfinger, and has been a notable quote in the 007 series ever since. The martinis will be offered each evening, along with the Draycott’s signature nightly champagne service. The Draycott also offers guests complimentary tea and homemade biscuits at 4pm and hot chocolate at 9:30pm - I applaud a hotel that appreciates the importance of well-timed cocktails and snacks!

Exterior of the Draycott Hotel

Located just around the corner from Chelsea's Sloane Square and Kensington, the Draycott occupies three restored red brick Edwardian homes and the property is described as evoking old world elegance and charm in a supreme London location. ( I stayed in this neighborhood when I visited London and loved the beauty and convenience.) The Draycott Hotel offers 35 suites, many of which have their own fireplace and garden view.

So go ahead and play the role of sophisticated spy - the Draycott Hotel provides the setting and the martinis - you bring the mystique.

For more information, visit www.draycotthotel.com.

A New York Minute: Films for Foodies & A Trilogy of Art Shows

There's always something fabulous happening in New York City. Here are some great events worth adding to your itinerary whether you live in the Big Apple or just visiting our amazing city.

Kirsten Dunst indulging in cakes, cakes, and more cakes as the title character in Sofia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette.

Cinema Tuesdays: Films for Foodies at the French Institute/Alliance Francaise
Tuesday, October 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2012
$10 per film
From coq au vin to crème brulée, the French know great food. Films for Foodies! not only reflects the range of French cuisine—from the fabulous meals at Versailles during the reign of Louis XVI to the extraordinary intensity of a Michelin three-star kitchen—but also delves into cinema’s celebration of French culinary heritage. Celebrated food and travel columnist for Esquire magazine and series co-curator John Mariani will introduce each film and moderate post-screening discussions with luminaries from New York’s culinary world, including Ariane Daguin (owner of the renowned gourmet purveyor D’Artagnan Foods), pâtissier François Payard, Belgian master chocolatier Laurent Gerbaud, and James Beard award-winning chef Jean-Louis Gerin.


Contemporary Art Fair NYC, American Craft Show NYC, and Art Off the Main
October 19, 20, 21 at the Javits Center.
$14 - Three shows, one admission.
Museums aren't the only places in town to see amazing art.The Contemporary Art Fair NYC provides a major showing of independent painters, photographers, sculptors and other artists doing non-functional work. The counterpart show, The American Craft Show NYC, features the work of fine artisans working with glass, ceramic, wood, and other materials. ART OFF the MAIN is the first fair ever to showcase the combined works from Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.

 

Chic Cinema: Love Crime (Crime d'amour)

Yours truly rarely ventures out to the cinema anymore - I prefer to watch movies from the comfort of my own home with a nice glass of vino. But, when I read a review for Love Crime, I rushed out on Saturday to see the film.

Starring Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient and Sarah's Key) and Ludivine Sagnier (Swimming Pool and A Girl Cut in Two), the Wall Street Journal described Love Crime as "Working Girl a la Francaise." Yes, Thomas does play the boss from hell and Sagnier the manipulated underling, but this suspense film has a dark element of Hitchcockian danger that keeps you riveted. I've featured the trailer below.

Kristin Scott Thomas

Ludvine Sagnier

Of course,  I paid attention to the wardrobe and the leading ladies have many moments where they look stunning in that effortless yet elegant Parisian way - Love Crime is awash in perfectly tailored skirt suits, silky blouses, flowing slacks, sexy pumps, and a scarf that wraps its way into the script as a major character.

The Black Dress Traveler rates Love Crime 3 out of 4 Little Black Dresses.

Click here to find a theater near you. Love Crime is primarily in French with English subtitles. However, there are a few scenes in English.

Say Aloha to the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival & the Maui Film Festival

Aloha dahlings! If your travel plans include beautiful Hawaii, the upcoming Kapalua Wine & Food Festival and the Maui Film Festival are worthy additions to your itinerary. For more tips on planning your Hawaiian getaway, visit www.gohawaii.com.

Kapalua Wine & Food Festival
June 9 -12. A la carte tickets $40-$140. Festival passes $650 & $749)
Located on Maui's northwest shore, the 22,000 acre Kapalua Resort stretches from emerald mountain peaks to the edge of the Pacific Ocean. This luxury property features award-winning accommodations, two world-class golf courses, and pristine beaches.

Hawaii's longest running and most prestigious festival of its kind, the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival marks its 30th year of celebrating fine food and wine. This four day extravaganza explores exciting gastronomic trends and brings together winemakers, sommeliers, celebrated chefs, and industry insiders for themed tastings, seminars, and gala events.

Maui Film Festival
June 15-19.
Festival passes start at $40.
Mark your map with the luxurious resort area of Wailea for this star-studded event that showcases Hawaiian culture and film. This five-day festival includes film premieres, gala parties, celebrity appearances, Hawaiian music, and more. Actresses Megan Fox and Olivia Wilde will each be honored on different nights of the Celestial Cinema event.

Pretty as a Pirate: Hayden-Harnett Creates Haute Collection for Pirates of the Caribbean

I know more than one lady who watched Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean films only to gaze at Johnny Depp in his portrayal of the charmingly wicked Captain Jack Sparrow. A rogue with a serious fashion sense, Captain Sparrow, and virtually all of the film's characters, have a flamboyant sense of style characterized by rich colors and opulent fabrics. If  you want to add a dash of swashbuckler to your swagger, Hayden-Harnett's new collection will give you the pirate panache that you crave.

 

Galleon Scarf, Scarlett
$98
Perk up your little black dress with this scarlet silk-satin scarf featuring Hayden-Harnett's custom "Galleon" ship print. Measuring a generous 40" x 40", the large dimensions make this a very versatile accessory.

Inspired by the upcoming 3D movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, this high-end collection features richly printed silk and chiffon scarves, detailed leather cuffs and fine leather handbags that retail from $78 to $498.  If you see something  you like, don't delay because each item is limited edition and only 50 pieces of each style will be sold. All items are available for pre-order at www.haydenharnett.com. The delivery for the collection is May 1st and all items will be available at the Hayden-Harnett flagship store/studio in Brooklyn and with selected retailers.  As you will see, this line may be inspired by a Disney movie but these luxurious treasures aren't for the kiddies!

 Galleon Satchel, Whiskey
$498
I love to carry a big purse everyday but especially when I travel so that I can tote all of my goodies with ease (travel documents, makeup, reading materials, snacks etc).  Not only is this bag luxurious bag, it makes it easy to stay organized - it  has four exterior pockets, one front fliplock closure pocket, two side gusset pockets and a large rear slip pocket. The interior also has several slip pockets. 


Queen Anne Carryall
$148
A versatile little bag that works well as a clutch or makeup pouch, this leather carryall features Hayden-Harnett's signature Spanish inspired antique brass logo plate and studded leather tassel zipper

  Barbossa Indexer
$168
Keep your dollars, Euros, doubloons and ducats safe and secure in this elegant leather wallet.

To view the entire Hayden-Harnett collection inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean, visit their website.

Feeling Bold and Bodacious? Add a Dash of Burlesque to Your Day

With tassles, feathers, and plenty of va va voom, burlesque entertainers from Gypsy Rose Lee to Dita Von Teese have captivated audiences with their artistic shimmying. Maybe you don't have plans to hit the stage anytime soon but here are some fun ways to add a dash of burlesque to your day.

See the Movie: Starring Cher and Christina Aguilera,  Burlesque doesn't open until Thanksgiving Day but the film is already generating big buzz. I love a lavish Hollywood musical and this film is bound to have some great tunes and dance numbers. And, it's been way too long since we've seen Cher on the silver screen - she's always been a bit burlesque!

To learn more about burlesque pioneer Gypsy Rose Lee (pictured above), rent the 1962 film Gypsy starring Natalie Wood and Rosalind Russell.

Take a Class: Want to learn the basics of burlesque from glove peeling to chair dancing? Enroll in a course at The New York School of Burlesque, Miss Indigo Blue's Academy of Burlesque in Seattle, Ginger Valentine's Burlesque Charm School in Dallas, or Studio L'Amour in Chicago. Also, many dance studios across the country offer burlesque classes.

Buy the Book: Written by Jo Weldon, founder of the New York Burlesque Academy, The Burlesque Handbook has info on basic moves, costume selection, and even making pasties! 

 
Get the Look: Fishnet stockings and red lipstick are simple ways to add a sexy burlesque touch to your everyday look. Find these versatile goodies at any drugstore or department store. I'm a big fan of HUE fishnets - they seem to last longer than other brands I've tried.

Pump up your manicure with an OPI nail lacquer inspired by the film Burlesque. The 12 attention getting colors include Show It & Glow It, Take the Stage and Bring on the Bling ($8.50 each and available at Amazon). 

Play up your peepers with a fringe of faux lashes - try the Japonesque Complete Lash Kit ($9.80 at Amazon).

Is Morocco the Real Star of Sex and the City 2?

This may upset die-hard Sex and the City fans but I have a confession to make - I didn't love the first movie. As a fan of the show who has seen EVERY episode several times and stood on line opening day, I felt that the big screen version lacked the sparkling wit of the TV series and relied too heavily on designer labels and toilet humor.

Buzz is building for installment 2 of the SATC movie franchise and I hear that the plot has Carrie and the girls spending a big chunk of the film in Abu Dhabi (filmed many miles away in Morocco).  Now THAT sounds exciting! "We are really talking about these girls from one culture inhabiting another culture for a period of time and the antics they get into," said Kim Cattrall who plays Samantha. "But this a road movie, not a political thriller."

From what I've seen the girls don't travel too well  - remember Carrie's move to Paris? Or the disastrous honeymoon with the girls in Mexico? Carrie and Samantha's cross country train ride to San Francisco? All of those trips had their share of awkward moments that no designer wardrobe could save. How will the fashionable four handle the cultural differences between anything goes NYC and the more formal Middle East? Will the girls change their behavior and attire in a place where the expectations of women are different? Should they?

So, yes, I will see the latest SATC movie and I'm hopeful that the dramatic change of scenery and cultures will add more complexity to the script. If not, there's always the fashions.

Sex and the City opens in theaters just about everywhere (except Abu Dhabi - they are considering banning the movie) on May 27.

Be Italian: NINE is a Sexy Cinematic Getaway

Rob Marshall's NINE is a sensual and music filled escape to 1960's Italy. Last night I was invited to attend a private screening of this star studded extravaganza and I can't get it out of my head. 
 
Several years ago I saw a beautiful production of Nine on Broadway with the fantastic Antonio Banderas. However, the film skillfully reveals more layers of this story of an Italian film director struggling with a creative meltdown and the needs and influences of the many women in his life. Daniel Day-Lewis inhabits the role of Guido Contini as snuggly as the snazzy 1960's suits he wears in the film. I predict another Oscar for the divine Day-Lewis.

In fact, Nine is chock-full of Oscar winners: Dame Judi Dench plays the costume designer and confidante, Penelope Cruz is the sultry mistress who knows her way around ropes, Nicole Kidman is the icy muse, and Marion Cotillard is the long-suffering wife. The legendary Sophia Loren looks regal everytime she appears on the screen as Guido's mother and Kate Hudson & Fergie both deliver knock-out musical performances. The scenes of Day-Lewis driving around Italy in his sporty Alfa Romeo convertible will make you want to book a ticket pronto on Alitalia.

NINE opens in NY and LA on December 18 and everywhere else on December 25. 

Black Dress Beauty: Halle Berry

Shapely thespian Halle Berry rocked basic black with a sexy twist at the red carpet premiere of Wolverine. Sheer paneling added a dash of naughty to this va va voom black cocktail dress by French designer Herve L. Leroux. Ms. Berry kept her look sleek and elegant with minimal accessories and strappy sandals. Bravo Ms. Berry, you are a black dress beauty!

 

Barcelona on Film

Last night I popped Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona into the DVD player. Not only was it a pleasure to gaze at gorgeous Javier Bardem for 90 minutes but my wanderlust for Barcelona was thoroughly ignited.  You see, I had the great fortune of spending my junior year of high school studying in this magical city in the northeastern region  Catalunya of Spain. 

Watching Scarlett Johannson, Rebecca Hall, and Penelope   Cruz's escapades through Barcelona took me down memory lane.  Although I had my fair share of crushes on handsome Spaniards, my 16 year old memories are nowhere nearly as sensual as what Allen's characters experienced. Nonetheless, Vicky Cristina Barcelona made me feel as if I were back strolling in Parque Guell, gazing at the Sagrada Familia, roaming the labyrinthine and slightly eerie streets of El Barrio Chino, or stealing kisses under the Barcelona moonlight. I ran out today to buy the soundtrack and can't stop playing it.  

Here are a few other films that showcase Barcelona in all her glory. All of the movies listed below can be rented on NetFlix. If you know of other films featuring Barcelona, please leave a comment. Gracias!

All About My Mother: Pedro Almodovar's beautiful tearjerker won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Picture. Before she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Penelope Cruz gave a stellar performance in All About My Mother as a nun in Barcelona with a serious secret.

L'Auberge Espagnole - A French exchange student spends an   unforgettable year sharing an apartment in Barcelona with a host of other young Europeans. Of course, all kinds of cultural and sexual shenanigans take place. Audrey Tatou has a small role in this film.

Gaudi Afternoon - Starring Judy Davis, Marcia Gay Harden, Juliette Taylor and Lili Lewis; women rule in this Barcelona based comic mystery directed by Susan Seidelman. A really fun flick!

Barcelona - A Chicago yuppie takes a job in Barcelona and finds that the complex politics of post-Franco Spain may distract him from chasing women and bar hopping. Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino co-stars.  

Plane Style: Chic at Any Altitude

As a little girl my Technicolor travel fantasies were very influenced by Hollywood. From Doris Day in That Touch of Mink to Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca, whether they were frolicking with their handsome leading men or fleeing villains, these ladies always traveled in style.  Their tailored dresses, precisely painted lips and couture coiffures defined glam on the go. 

Ah, those were the good old days. In the golden age of air travel regular people really did get dolled up. Boarding a plane was not just a form of transportation but also a metaphor for moving up in the world.  Certainly, one did not move up only to dress like they were down and out. So why in the 21st century are so many of us traveling like we just rolled out of bed?

Granted, flying for the average person is far from glamourous these days. Maybe the lint covered sweatsuits and faded flannel pajamas that some passengers choose to wear are a psychological response to the mistreament from the airlines. Who needs to get dressed up when you are packed into a tiny coach seat that seemed like the bargain of a lifetime when you ordered your ticket online but SMACK, you were sucker punched with exorbitant fees to check your luggage and your gourmet meal consists of stale Doritos ($3 extra please!)

Even the most fierce fashionista might resign herself to frumpiness in the face of such obstacles. Call me silly but I prefer to hold on to the fantasy and board that plane as if the runway were my catwalk.  For short flights, I have more casual little black dresses (and other colors too) that are comfy and still stylish. Longer flights call for stretchy black slacks and a cute top. And, no germy blankets for me. My oversized soft wool wrap keeps chilly cabin air at bay.

My fellow travelers, the airlines have taken away our meals, our comfort and too much of our money but please don't let them steal our style!  

Traveling Near

Travel magazines can be found in every corner of my Manhattan apartment: Budget Travel, National Geographic Traveler, Travel & Leisure, Girlfriend Getaways, and more. As I flip through the pages oohing and aahing over the glossy photos of exotic locales, I am intrigued but a little annoyed too. They all make travel seem so easy. Pick a destination, book your ticket, pack your luggage and just go.

But let's be honest, for most of us getting away isn't usually that carefree. There are those pesky schedules and budgets to consider. The recession sure does have a way of dampering wanderlust.  We can't afford to travel but we can't afford not to: taking a trip can be so utterly therapeutic.

Right now I'm staying close to home and making a wish list of destinations for my next trip. Until then, I am traveling via my favorite books, movies, music and local places. Dreaming of Spain? Then I will head over to La Nacional for an authentic and perfectly cooked paella.  Or spend an afternoon at the Hispanic Society Museum & Library savoring paintings by Goya and El Greco. Why can't I stay home and have an Almodovar movie marathon?

Pining for Paris? That calls for steak frites at Montparnasse. A femme fatale beauty break at Phyto Universe is a must. What about a relaxing bubble bath with a glass of Champagne and Charles Aznavour playing in the background? A sexy French man to scrub my back would really make that bath special. (Excuse me, I digress!)

Hungry for finger licking Southern cuisine?  Chicken and waffles at Amy Ruth's transports my taste buds when I can't convince my Georgia born Mom to make me a home-cooked meal.

Work and the economy may delay my next major vacation but this girl is still traveling! 

PS. Send me an e-mail with your favorite way to Travel Near.