Cogill Wine and Film: A Perfect Pairing

The Cogill’s appear perplexed by writer, and director Noah Baumbach’s expensive, absurdist comedy set in the 1980s. Sometimes it works, but more often, it doesn’t.

As escapist fare, Hayley and Gary finally get around to watching Brad Pitt in, “Bullet Train” and enjoyed both the ability to laugh and be entertained by an off-the-rails Japanese mafia movie traveling at high speed.

Sommelier, Hayley Hamilton Cogill, forgoes her wine expertise and pairs “White Noise" with the satirical bombardment of well-known brands and products continually flashing across the screen.

For “Bullet Train,” she indulges in a well-known bottle of “Fiji Water” because it not only tastes good but becomes an intentional, well-defined character in Pitt’s action movie.

And finally, film critic, Gary Cogill, embraces the melancholy sadness of “The Whale,” and welcomes the return of Brendan Fraser to the big screen with an Oscar-worthy performance.

The Cogill’s are slightly split on, “The Banshees Of Inisherin” considering the dark path the movie decides to take, including the removal of fingers over a silly rule. Like it or not, it’s a movie filled with Oscar nominations.

“The Menu" only pretends to be a film about food, when it's actually a dark sided horror film about a famous Chef who takes revenge on his tasteless patrons. Film critic, Gary Cogill, praises the performances but loathes the ending.

Sommelier, Hayley Hamilton Cogill,” reminds us of her girls trip across Ireland which included the perfect, “Banshees,” pairing. A locally poured, Guinness Stout.

For “The Menu,” our favorite Somm looked closely at the wine served in the film and spotted a beautiful bottle of Domaine Breton Cabernet Franc, from the stunning Loire Valley in France

The Cogill’s love a good destination murder mystery and “Glass Onion, A Knives Out Mystery” is perfect example of style, substance, and cinematic flair

They also can’t get enough of Jennifer Coolidge in, “White Lotus: Season 2,” who recites one of the greatest lines in recent  memory.

Sommelier, Hayley Hamilton Cogill, recalls her trip to Santorini, Greece and can easily envision Kate Hudson sitting poolside drinking a refreshing Sigalas Assyrtiko.

For the “White Lotus” pairing it’s a beautiful Malvasia from Salina in the northwestern part of Sicily.

The Cogill’s believe “The Menu” is a well-made, well-acted, yet slightly disappointing thriller about a maniacal chef who knows all too much about his patrons.

“Tar” could win Cate Blanchette her third Oscar in a great performance about a troubled Symphony conductor about to go through some things.

Sommelier Hayley Hamilton Cogill expertly tackles “The Menu” with an expensive, highly renowned, bold Napa Valley red wine from Realm Winery called “The Absurd.”

Hayley goes to Germany for the complicated, calculated “Tar” and pairs with an austere, lean, focused, slightly bitter Riesling from Mosel.

“Avatar: The Way Of Water” is technically one of the best movies ever made, says film critic, Gary Cogill. A three hour marvel of cinematic magic.

“Babylon” is an Oscar level film of excess and decadence, says The Cogill’s, who appreciated its dazzling "all in” style of film making.

Sommelier, Hayley Hamilton Cogill, pairs the new brilliant “Avatar" film with a sparkling, refreshing, bottled water from France called, “Badoit.”

Hayley also offers insight into the old Hollywood world of “Babylon” by pouring a unique selection from the Prisoner Wine Company called “Eternally Silenced.”

The Cogill's are highly enthusiastic about Steven Spielberg’s autobiographical, Oscar-contending film, “The Fabelmans,” which emulates the legendary director as a young boy growing up wide-eyed about the movie-making experience.

“Women Talking” is a difficult true story told with honesty and eloquence about a religious community of women terrorized and abused by the men in their lives. Writer/ Director Sarah Polley has created a top-ten film that is well-written and acted while packing an unflinching punch.

Sommelier, Hayley Hamilton Cogill, raises a memorable glass of wine to, “The Fabelmans,  with a captivating, historical wine from Beringer Vineyards, Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

And, with “Women Talking,” Hayley toasts the female winemakers of Rias Baixas, Spain a region run by the strength of women, where over 50% of the winemakers are female.

The Cogill’s celebrate "Blank Panther: Wakanda Forever” for it’s thoughtful, respectful tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman.

Film Critic, Gary Cogill, calls out the Oscar level performances of Carey Mulligan and Zoe Katan as Pulitzer Prize winning journalists on the predatory trail of movie mogul, Harvey Weinstein, in “She Said.”

Sommelier Hayley Hamilton Cogill pairs "Wakanda Forever” with a Mcbride Sisters Collection Reserve Pinot Noir aptly labeled, “Cocky Mother*cker.”

And in the spirit of, “She Said,” Hayley raises a glass of "King Street Vodka” created by actress Kate Hudson, who has been an outspoken voice for women’s rights.

The Cogill’s are technically fascinated by the one take movie from England called, “Boiling Point.” A serious drama about a chef, his restaurant, his messy lifestyle, and the one night where he almost lost everything.

Hayley & Gary can’t say enough about the latest season of “Chefs Table” on Netflix and its six part examination of pizza from around the world. You have never seen pizza, like you see in this series.

Sommelier Hayley Hamilton Cogill calls the shots and says pairing any alcohol with “Boiling Point” would be inappropriate.

For "Chefs Table: Pizza" she turns to legendary Oregon wine maker, David Adelsheim and his beautiful "Breaking Ground" Pinot Noir.

The Cogill’s love everything about Viola Davis playing a real life Africa warrior in, “The Woman King.” A film about female strength, wisdom, and skill.

They can’t say the same for Zach Efron’s new film about a beer-drinking buddy who travels to Vietnam to share a brew with his buddies in “The Greatest Beer Run Ever.”

Sommelier Hayley Hamilton Cogill pairs “The Woman King” with the Queen of wines, a Barbaresco from Piemonte.

And for “The Greatest Beer Run Ever,” the couple toasts the feature libation, the historic beer from Milwaukee used in the film, Pabst Blue Ribbon.

The Cogill’s are fans of writer/director Jordan Peele (Get Out) and found his latest film, Nope,” to be both a Cowboy/Sci Fi spectacle as well as a thought-provoking piece of social commentary.

“House Of The Dragon” is the HBO prequel to the award-winning series, “Game Of Thrones,” dating back 200 years. Good acting, plenty of Dragons, and a fascinating female lead have kept the Cogills more than interested.

Sommelier, Hayley Hamilton Cogill, pairs the cowboy-minded “Nope” with a wine labeled “The Walking Fool” from Suisun Valley. A red blend based on an 1881 Howell Mountain homesteader who walked down the mountain daily to find work.

For “House Of The Dragon,” Hayley settles on a wine called “Dragon's Tooth,” from the Trefethen family honoring family matriarch, Catherine Trefethen.