When wine invites itself to Disney

Are You Aware of the Many Wine References in Animated Masterpieces? Discover Five Examples

1) Ratatouille (2007): Celebrating French Grand Crus

If you haven’t seen Ratatouille, we highly recommend it. This animated film, co-produced by Disney and Pixar, tells the story of a rat who dreams of becoming a chef and is simply brilliant. It’s also a tribute to France with a capital F, showcasing its best: gastronomy. Naturally, it can’t overlook wine! The film features numerous references to French grand crus such as Côte-Rotie, Château Latour, and Château Cheval Blanc…

2) Basil the Great Mouse Detective (1986): Wine Fountain and Giant Bottle

Do you remember Professor Ratigan, the evil and charismatic rat from Basil the Great Mouse Detective? Cruel, unscrupulous, but full of humor and good cheer, this villain who aims to rule over “Rat-Yaume” loves to party and has a penchant for grandeur. He even has his own wine fountain!

3) Sleeping Beauty (1959): “Let’s Toast to Tonight!”

Whether in Disney films, historical movies, or fairy tales, royal courts are often associated with feasts. In this scene from Sleeping Beauty, King Hubert and King Stefan enjoy themselves to the fullest. And with a feast, good wine is a must!

4) Beauty and the Beast (1946): Champagne Galore

When Belle arrives at the castle, she is unaware of the sumptuous surprise awaiting her: the candelabrum, clock, teapot, and other furniture have organized a grand celebration with champagne flowing abundantly… Disney sure knew how to celebrate!

5) Fantasia (1940): Tribute to Bacchus

You might have heard the name but not seen the film. Fantasia, Disney’s third short film, is an experimental animated feature without dialogue that illustrates eight classical music pieces, including Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony. This sequence pays homage to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.

DO YOU KNOW OTHER DISNEY FILMS WHERE WINE MAKES AN APPEARANCE? SHARE THEM WITH US!

FAQ - Wine and Disney

Which French grand crus are mentioned in Ratatouille?

Ratatouille (2007), co-produced by Disney and Pixar, slips in several French wine references, including Côte-Rôtie, Château Latour and Château Cheval Blanc.

Which Disney film features a wine fountain?

In Basil the Great Mouse Detective (1986), the villain Professor Ratigan, a good-living criminal with a taste for grandeur, owns his own wine fountain and a giant bottle.

Which god of wine appears in Fantasia?

Fantasia (1940), Walt Disney's third short film, devotes a sequence to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, set to a classical music score.

Which wine flows freely in Beauty and the Beast?

In Beauty and the Beast (1946), the castle's enchanted objects welcome Belle with a grand celebration where champagne flows abundantly.

Why is Ratatouille a tribute to French gastronomy?

Ratatouille follows a rat who dreams of becoming a chef and celebrates French cuisine, its grand crus and its art of the table.