Pairing Wine With 1980s Action TV Shows: Moonlighting

Moonlighting

Moonlighting was not my favorite show of the decade. Had to be said. However, my wife loved it. I promised her that I’d include it in this series, and I don’t break promises.

Running for five season from 1985 until 1989, Moonlighting followed the private detective adventures of Maddie Hayes (Cybill Shepherd) and David Addison (Bruce Willis), and was Willis’ first major role anywhere. While it certainly had action-packed moments, the show is probably best known for being one of the world’s first “dramedies,” or drama-comedies.

The cast of 'Moonlighting'

Jesus, look at all the hair on Bruce Willis’ head!

Maddie Hayes is a recently-down-on-her-luck former model, whose accountant has embezzled all her money. The Blue Moon Detective Agency is one of her tax-shelter businesses, and at the prodding of David (the agency’s “manager”) she decides to keep it running and actually try to run it as a real detective outfit.

David and Maddie spend most of each episode locked in sexual tension and cracking wise to break it. Maddie is a bit naïve, and refined. David is reckless, charming, and a bit on the crazy side. It all worked quite well together.

And the theme song was classic Al Jarreau.

So much hair!

So, what to pair with this meeting of opposites? What to pair with Maddie’s refinement, and David’s party-boy attitude?

How about pinot noir?

Pinot noir, famously, has at least two personalities. One is the refined, complex, subtle flavors of the Burgundy region of France, which made pinot noir famous. The other is a fruit-forward, fun, big flavor party side, found more readily in California and Oregon.

Both are delicious, and you’ll find rabid pinot fans of each style.

So crack open that Moonlighting Season 1 DVD, and a bottle of your favorite pinot noir—whichever style you prefer—and enjoy. You can’t go wrong.

Some pinot noirs I can heartily recommend:

2008 Henry Natter Sancerre Blanc

Super-Stinky Sauv Blanc From France

Usually, I really like stinky sauv blanc. I have reviewed, quite favorably, stinky sauv blancs from the Natural Process Alliance and Clos Pegase. But this wine, from the Sancerre region of the Loire Valley, took stinkiness a step too far, even for me.

That’s not to say it’s bad, per se. But I have a hard time recommending something like this. It’s an acquired taste. If you’re a Sancerre fan, I’m willing to bet this will be up your alley. It clocks in under $30 and if this stank is your thing, you’ll probably want to try it.

But for most people—myself included—this just doesn’t tickle the ol’ proverbial fancy.

The ’08 Natter is gorgeous in the glass, however. A rich, golden shine looks incredibly inviting. It almost appears chardonnayesque, but don’t let that fool you. On the nose, the stank arrives.

Most of what I could discern from the nose of this 100% sauvignon blanc juice was manzanilla olive and fish oil. It was hard to smell past those two rather overpowering aromas. Upon tasting the wine, you get what you might expect from those aromas on the nose. The wine is light bodied, and comes off very briny. Almost a bit like the brine that manzanillas are jarred in.

There is a hint of sweetness, too. And the odors and flavors, while unmistakable, are not altogether unpleasant. But unless you know already that this wine is for you, I’d be willing to bet that it’s not.

2008 Henry Natter Sancerre Blanc