Stars and Wine
Stars and Wine
Emily Blunt: “Wine in itself is a sensory journey for me!”
By Frank Rousseau, our correspondent in los angeles - Photographs: all rights reserved, posted on 27 January 2025
The British-American actress who featured in ‘Mary Poppins Returns’, ‘Edge of Tomorrow’, ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, opens up about her love of fine wines. She shares her poetic thoughts on wine and invites us to enjoy it not just for its flavour but as a genuine cultural and artistic experience.
What appeals to you most about wine?
Emily Blunt: Its complexity. I love it when a wine reveals different layers of flavours and aromas as you taste it. A good wine should evolve in the glass, offering a new discovery with each sip. Whether it is a red wine with well-structured tannins or a white with sharp acidity, I like the idea that a wine can capture the essence of a place or specific occasion, and take you on a sensory journey. In my opinion, wine is not just a beverage – it’s a symphony of flavours and aromas that awakens the senses, the reflection of the land where it was born and the care with which it was made. It is a celebration of conviviality and sharing, where each bottle tells a unique story, rooted in time and experience.
Apparently, you have a preference for Californian wines…
Emily Blunt: I do indeed like Californian wines, especially red wines from Napa and Sonoma. But I don’t restrict myself to one region. I love to explore wines from around the world – they can be French Burgundy, Italian Chianti or Argentinean Malbec. Each region has something unique to offer and discovering new grape varieties and wine regions is always an adventure. I do, though, have a weak spot for Pinot Noir. I love its subtlety and the way it can be both delicate yet profound. But it also depends on the occasion. A good Chardonnay can be perfect for a summer’s evening, whereas a Cabernet-Sauvignon is ideal for a winter’s dinner.
Have you tried producing your own wine?
Emily Blunt: I have often been tempted by the idea. But making wine requires real skills and a lot of patience. I think that would need more time and commitment than I can offer at the moment. Saying that, I do love the idea of following the process from the vineyard to the bottle. Maybe one day, when I’m ready to embark on a new creative adventure, I’ll try and produce a small batch of home-made wine, even if it’s just out of curiosity.
Do you have a bottle of wine that you are keeping for a special occasion?
Emily Blunt: Yes, I have a 2005 Château Margaux that I am treasuring for a very special occasion. It is an exceptional wine.
And if you were to share a glass of exceptional wine with someone just as exceptional, who would that be, apart from your husband of course…
Emily Blunt: Oh, that’s a difficult question! Maybe Meryl Streep. I worked with her on ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ and she is quite simply incredible, both professionally and as a person. I think that sharing a good wine with Meryl would spark a memorable conversation, full of wisdom, humour and colourful anecdotes. I would probably also invite the film director Christopher Nolan who gave me a part in ‘Oppenheimer’. He is renowned for the profundity of his films and I would be curious to know what types of wine inspire him. I would imagine that his taste in wine could be just as nuanced and intriguing as his films.
Do you think wine should be demystified, or do you like the mystery surrounding it?
Emily Blunt: A bit of both. I like the mystery and romanticism surrounding wine – the idea that a bottle can hold a small piece of history and the character of a particular place. However, I also don’t think that wine should be intimidating. It should be accessible to all, irrespective of how much you know about it. One of the greatest joys in life is sharing a good wine with friends, without worrying about expertise, just enjoying the moment. I do think that demystifying wine can help more people appreciate its beautiful flavours.
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