Bond and booze: test your knowledge

As we await the release of the latest Bond film Skyfall, we have compiled a quick quiz to test your knowledge of 007’s taste in drinks.

Although disappointment among Bond fans has been vocal following news he’s swapped Martini for Heineken, Ian Fleming’s famous agent has a history of enjoying strong cocktails and expensive Champagne.

As for his taste in wine, it’s traditional but varied, from German Riesling to first growth Bordeaux – just don’t offer him Chianti with fish.

Taking in both the books by Fleming and the films, Champagne is mentioned 35 times, vodka Martini 22 times and red wine 10 times.

Test your knowledge of Fleming’s fictional character with the questions below. Answers can be found over the following pages.

Oh yes, and Skyfall is due for release on 26 October.

1. In which Bond film are the villains unmasked for their lack of wine knowledge?

2. In which Bond film does 007 utter the following: “My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done, such as drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit.”

3. In which other Bond does 007 name check Dom Perignon ’53?

4. What was the preferred Champagne brand of the literary James Bond?

5. What is the literary Bond’s preferred spirit?

6. In which Bond film does Chianti feature – and with a food match deemed unsuitable by Bond?

7. With whom does Bond share a bottle of German Riesling?

8. Which drink was invented and named by James Bond in the 1953 novel Casino Royale?

9. In which Bond film does Smirnoff vodka make its first appearance?

10. Which drinks brand has opted for pistol-shaped packaging to celebrate its Bond association?

1. In which Bond film are the villains unmasked for their lack of wine knowledge?

Mr Wint and Mr Kidd

Answer – Diamonds are Forever

In Diamonds are Forever, 007 catches out the assassin Mr Wint posing as a waiter because the killer didn’t know that Mouton-Rothschild is a claret.

Mouton Rothschild Is a claret. And, I’ve smelled that aftershave before, and both times I’ve smelled a rat.

2. In which Bond film does 007 utter the following: “My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done, such as drinking Dom Pérignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit.”

“She’s covered in paint…gold paint.”

Answer – Goldfinger

The secret agent says the line to the soon-to-be gold painted Jill Masterson.

3. In which other Bond does 007 name check Dom Pérignon ’53?

I prefer the ’53 myself

Answer – Dr No

In the first ever Bond film, as 007 tries to escape, he grabs a bottle of Dom Pérignon to hit a guard. “That’s a Dom Pérignon ’55 – it would be a pity to break it,” says Dr. No. “I prefer the ’53 myself,” responds Bond.

4. What was the preferred Champagne brand of the literary James Bond?

Bond and Tatiana Romanova in From Russia With Love

Answer – Taittinger

Taittinger was in fact Ian Fleming’s favourite Champagne (not Bollinger) and the brand was mentioned in Casino Royale, Moonraker, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Goldfinger. However, the last time Taittinger made a screen appearance was in 1963′s From Russia with Love.

5. What is the literary Bond’s preferred spirit?

Answer – Scotch

James Bond actually drinks more Scotch with soda in the Fleming novels than gin Martinis. Apparently Scotch and soda features as many as 21 times in the books compared to 19 mentions for gin Martini. In the films however, it’s vodka Martini that leads, with as many as 22 appearances.

6. In which Bond film does Chianti feature, and with a food match deemed unsuitable by Bond?

“Red wine with fish. Well, that should have told me something.”

Answer – From Russia with Love

Towards the end of the film when 007 has dinner with Bond girl Tatiana and the enemy, Grant, the secret agent grows suspicious of Grant when he orders Chianti with sole. The wine was in fact Brolio Chianti Classico and Bond later says, “Red wine with fish. Well, that should have told me something.”

Meanwhile, Bond and Tatiana tuck into a bottle of Taittinger.

7. With whom does Bond share a bottle of German Riesling?

Answer – Auric Goldfinger

When dining with Auric in Goldfinger, Bond is served a glass of Moselle Piesporter Goldtröpfchen which is chosen by Auric for its golden appearance. Bond describes the wine as “nectar”. They then tuck into a Mouton Rothschild ‘47.

8. Which drink was invented and named by James Bond in the 1953 novel Casino Royale?

Daniel Craig drinks a Vesper Martini in Casino Royale

Answer – The Vesper Martini

The Vesper is made of gin, vodka, and Kina Lillet. Bond’s exact instructions for the cocktail are: “Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel.”

9. In which Bond film does Smirnoff vodka make its first appearance?

Bond’s first on-screen taste of Smirnoff in Dr No

Answer – Dr No

Smirnoff vodka is featured in the first James Bond film back in 1963, but also appears in Thunderball, Casino Royale, Tomorrow Never Dies and The World is not Enough. Smirnoff officially partnered up with the Bond film franchise in Quantum of Solace. Before the release of that film, Finlandia vodka was promoted in Die Another Day.

10. Which drinks brand has opted for pistol-shaped packaging to celebrate its Bond association?

30,000 bottles of Bollinger’s 002 for 007 have been produced

Answer – Bollinger

Bollinger has unveiled its latest James Bond special edition ahead of the next 007 film, Skyfall. The product, called 002 for 007, comprises a bottle of La Grande Année 2002 housed in a gun silencer shaped gift box with a combination lock – opened using the code: 007.

2012 marks 39 years since Bollinger developed an on-screen relationship with the fictional character created by Ian Fleming, and James Bond has been seen drinking Bollinger in 12 films of the 23 made in total.

The Champagne brand produced a special piece of packaging in September 2008 for the last Bond film, Quantum of Solace – a bullet-shaped case made from polished tin.

The Bond Bullet released for Quantum of Solace