Not for the faint of heart, "The Descent" matches a Rhône Syrah, like Domaine de Bonserine's La Sarrasine.
The Movie
"The Descent", directed by Neil Marshall, centers around six women who go caving together. Unbeknownst to most, their cave system is unmapped and unexplored. Their adventure turns into a nightmare when they become trapped deep underground after a tunnel collapses. Even worse, they're not alone.
The film is known for its strong, complex female characters and its tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. You could make a good argument that "The Descent" is the scariest movie of all time. At a minimum, it's in the top ten.
Fair warning: There is plenty of blood and gore but none of it feels gratuitous - the situation is naturally harrowing and it would be weird if there wasn't.
The Wine
Côte-Rôtie, meaning "roasted slope," is a prestigious appellation located in the Northern Rhône region of France, predominantly made from Syrah. On the palate, La Sarrasine is intense, full-bodied, and well-structured. It tastes of ripe dark with some earthy notes, like leather and smoke. The wine's firm tannins provide structure, while its balanced acidity ensures freshness and longevity.
Why They Pair Well
Both the film and wine boast high intensity. "The Descent" engages audiences with suspense while Dom Bonserine Sarrasine Côte Rôtie impresses with its concentrated, multi-layered flavors.
"The Descent" is both literally and figuratively dark, with much of the horror set in lightless caves. Similarly, Dom Bonserine's La Sarrasine has dark, deep flavors and aromas.
The characters in "The Descent" are complex and their relationships develop dramatically under extreme conditions. Similarly, La Sarrasine's character evolves as it opens up and breathes.
By Eddie Beeby
What wine would you pair with "The Descent?"
Comment below
Comments