The Wizard of Oz with Wine
- Tony Elvin
- 23 hours ago
- 4 min read
Thank you for joining us at the end of the Rainbow with Professor Marvel, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Lion and Toto, as we tasted our way along the Yellow Brick Road (The Mockingbird Cinema) with the wonderful wines of Oz.
As promised, here are all the wonderful wines of Oz, our Rainbow Movie Trivia and Yellow Brick Road gallery.
The Wonderful Wines of Oz
Ranked among the top 4% of wines in the world, according to Vivino users, the creamy sparkling wine from the Adelaide Hills features Champagne grapes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a dash of Shiraz.
Chenin blanc grapes from South East Australia. Juniper, peach and pear on the nose, a dry, fresh lime palate with floral notes.
3) Wynns Coonawarra Chardonnay - Majestic £15.00 (£10.50 as part of a mixed case of six)
Wynns have been making this wine since 1981 in the Terra Rossa red soils of Coonawarra, home to some of the oldest wineries in Oz. Peachy, melon, nectarine aromas with a hint of nut. Stone fruit, citrussy lemon and grapefruit on the palate. Straw yellow, light and creamy, from oak conditioning.
Made for the Wine Society by Yalumba, Australia's oldest family owned winery, home to some of Australia's oldest vines. British Bewer Samuel Smith founded Yalumba in 1849.
Juicy blackcurrants on the nose with black and red fruits on the palate. Made in stainless steel, not tin.
This punchy wines has 14.5% ABV made from vines over 100 years old. Vivino users rate this wine among top 7% in the world and among the top 6% in Barrossa. Intense blackberry, plum and raspberry with hints of vanilla, chocolate and pepper.
Our Yellow Brick Road Gallery
Over the Rainbow Trivia
The Ruby Slippers weren’t in the book. In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s shoes are silver. They were changed to ruby to show off the new Technicolor process.
It wasn’t the first Oz film. MGM’s version wasn’t the first adaptation — several silent Oz films were made in the 1910s, some involving Baum himself.
The tornado was 35 feet long. The twister was created using a 35-foot muslin stocking spun with dust and wind machines — remarkably convincing for 1939.
Judy Garland was only 16. Studio head Louis B. Mayer reportedly described her as looking like his “little hunchback,” leading to tight corseting and restrictive costuming.
The Tin Man was originally Buddy Ebsen. His aluminium dust makeup caused severe lung issues, and he was replaced by Jack Haley. Haley’s makeup was reformulated into a paste.
Margaret Hamilton was badly burned. Margaret Hamilton suffered second- and third-degree burns when a trapdoor effect misfired during her fiery exit from Munchkinland.
The green makeup was toxic. It contained copper-based ingredients and had to be removed carefully with cold cream.
Snow in the poppy field was asbestos. Industrial chrysotile asbestos was used — a common (and dangerous) practice at the time.
The Cowardly Lion’s costume was real lion skin. Bert Lahr’s outfit weighed nearly 90 pounds and was reportedly stifling under studio lights.
There are over 100 Munchkins on screen. Many were little people hired from across the U.S., making it one of the largest gatherings of little actors at the time.
“Over the Rainbow” was nearly cut. Studio executives thought it slowed the pacing. It went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The film won only two Oscars. At the Academy Awards, it won for Best Song and Best Original Score — losing Best Picture to Gone with the Wind.
The horse changed colour with flavoured gelatin powder. Different colours were achieved safely using edible powders.
The Wicked Witch appears for only about 12 minutes. Yet she became one of cinema’s most iconic villains.
The guards’ chant was a football tune. The “O-E-O” chant in the Witch’s castle was inspired by a college football cheer.
Ray Bolger wanted to be the Scarecrow. He was originally cast as the Tin Man but lobbied successfully to switch roles.
The Emerald City was largely matte paintings. Huge portions of the skyline were painted illusions.
The film was a box office disappointment at first. It didn’t turn a profit until later re-releases.
Television made it legendary. Annual broadcasts beginning in the 1950s introduced it to generations of families.
Toto earned $125 per week. That was more than some of the Munchkin actors.
The “hanging Munchkin” myth is false. The shadowy figure in the forest scene was a large bird brought onto the set.
Judy Garland’s dress had a hidden detail. One version of the blue gingham dress reportedly had “Judy Garland” written inside as wardrobe identification.
The sepia-to-colour transition was practical magic. The farmhouse interior was actually painted sepia; a body double in sepia makeup opened the door to reveal full Technicolor outside.
The Winkie Guard uniform was reused. Costumes later appeared in other MGM productions.
Only four pairs of Ruby Slippers are known to survive. One pair was famously stolen from a museum in 2005 and recovered by the FBI in 2018.
Thanks again for joining us on the yellow brick road, we look forward to seeing you again soon.
All the best, Tony, Lucy, Professor Marvel, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Lion, Toto and the team
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