What better way to settle down and watch the famous Oscars ceremony from Los Angeles, California, on Sunday evening March 24 than with an appropriate glass of California wine? To complement the on-screen talent nominated for this year's 74th annual Academy Awards Ceremony, the Wine Institute of California has come up with its own matching Academy Awards wine list.

Russell Crowe

The "Gladiator" hero now nominated for "A Beautiful Mind" is perhaps equally well known for his romantic activities as his screen brilliance. His success at the BAFTAs earlier this year was marred by his outburst when an unsuspecting TV executive cut a poem from his acceptance speech

Ravenswood Vintner's Blend Zinfandel 1999
From the home of "no wimpy wines", broad shouldered and steeped in alcohol. This wine is driven by all those masculine clubby tones like leather, tobacco and bitter chocolate. Good body

Ian McKellan

The Magician Gandalf has torpedoed McKellan into the limelight. An impressive Shakespearian actor famed for his ability on stage as well as in front of the camera

Turning Leaf Merlot 1999
Plummy and imposing, with a classical background. Rich in tone and impressively robed but with a soft caring centre

Judi Dench

Dame Judi confirms her position as the Grande Dame of the Silver Screen by her moving portrayal of Iris Murdoch. Has had previous recognition for portrayals of Queen Elizabeth I in "Shakespeare in Love" and Miss Lavish in "A Room With A View"

Bonterra Chardonnay 2000
Mature, no-nonsense and elegant but seems to get steadily richer with age. Has a sexy underlying earthiness, but its saintly organic origins lend tone to any occasion

Renee Zellweger

Star of Bridget Jones's diary has an ability to charm audiences. Her versatility, both in voice and body, were tested to the hilt during her Oscar nominated performance. Not only did she drop her all American twang she also dropped her diet and substantially increased her dress size to properly fit the role

Blossom Hill White Zinfandel 2000
No hidden depth here. Young and cheerfully approachable. Blushes an attractive pink and is actually quite sweet. Needs to be drunk after a short laying down

Lord of the Rings

Nominated for 13 Oscars in all, Lord of the Rings deserves special attention. Destined to become a fantasy classic of its generation

Beringer Shiraz 1999
Stirring stuff. A host of different characters make this complex, but it is comfortingly familiar and driven by universal themes of friendship and the triumph of good wine over evil

Gosford Park

A glorious period whodunit with a cast to die for. Maverick director Robert Altman has certainly captured the essence of a bygone age by weaving together the lives of aristocrats and their servants over the course of a country house weekend

Robert Mondavi Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Classic old world styling given new life by insightful Americans. A light touch brings out the subtleties from the vineyard plot

Whoopi Goldberg

An Oscar winning actress in her own right Whoopi will host the show for the fourth time having seen off other pretenders for the presenters crown

Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Sassy, quick witted and acerbic, but still America's favourite. The dryness is not to everyone's taste. Upstages established industry names.

And finally all those lucky enough to attend the Oscars should remember that it takes an average of four hours for the stretch limos to reach the red carpet so it's important to have snacks and some liquid refreshment en route. Why not try a bottle of chilled Cuvee Napa by Mumm to add extra sparkle to the occasion and make sure the trip is as good as the ceremony itself?

The Wine Institute of California supports the marketing of California Wine in the UK.