As everyone is waiting, stuck in Casablanca, what else is there to do? Might as well drink more Champagne.
Good idea.
Casablanca is soaked in Champagne. Champagne features in nearly more scenes than the film's star, Humphrey Bogart. I'm amazed Champagne isn't featured in the credits as a character.
From the first moment we meet Rick (Humphrey Bogart) playing chess against himself in his saloon, Rick's Cafe Americain, he is seen drinking Champagne in a Marie Antoinette glass.
But of course, he never accepts drinks from anyone else.
"Waiter, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot 1926, a very good wine," orders the Captain for the visiting Nazi Major.
Then there's the bottle of bourbon Rick drinks while he waits for an explanation from his ex-lover Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman).
"Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine."
Rick sits in the dark remembering happier times. With the arrival of the Nazis in Paris, Rick, Ilsa and Sam drink through their last three bottles of Mumm Cordon Rouge.Ilsa would rather pour the Champagne in the garden than let the Nazis drink it.
"Here's looking at you kid," as they toast their last toast together. Ilsa knocks over the Champagne. An ominous sign!
Meanwhile, everybody at Rick's Cafe Americain is drinking non-stop Champagne cocktails, Hennessy Cognac and French 75s.
It doesn't stop until the plane leaves for Lisbon.
Here's looking at you, kid!
Previous Posts in Cinematic Wines Series:
Part 4: Mad Max reds
Part 3: Gerard Depardieu
Part 2: Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut
Part 1: Bandol and Bardot
Link: Casablanca film review
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