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Russ Meyer's Cinematic Excess Calls for Bold Wine Pairings
Exploring the perfect wine matches for the "King Leer" of sexploitation films
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
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Wine writer Randy Fuller examines the challenge of finding the right wine pairings for the over-the-top films of legendary director Russ Meyer, known for his emphasis on large breasts and outrageous plots. From the "boring and tedious" The Seven Minutes to the decadent Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, Fuller suggests bold wine choices that can match Meyer's cinematic style, including Playboy's own wine club offerings and a Ménage à Trois Cabernet blend.
Why it matters
Russ Meyer's films represent a unique and influential era in American cinema, pushing the boundaries of sexuality and violence on screen. Exploring wine pairings for his works not only provides an entertaining thought experiment, but also highlights the creative ways in which food and drink can enhance the experience of engaging with provocative art and media.
The details
Fuller examines several of Meyer's most famous films, from the "boring and tedious" The Seven Minutes, which he suggests pairing with a spicy Zinfandel like The 7 Deadly Zins, to the decadent Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, which he believes calls for a rich Cabernet blend like Ménage à Trois Decadence. For the Depression-era Mudhoney, Fuller recommends a wine from Los Angeles' own San Antonio Winery, which remained open during Prohibition by producing sacramental wine.
- Russ Meyer was a prolific filmmaker in the 1950s through 1970s, known for his over-the-top sexploitation films.
- The Seven Minutes, which Meyer later called "boring and tedious", was released in 1971.
- Mudhoney, the second film in Meyer's mid-1960s B&W quartet, was released in 1965.
- Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, Meyer's 1970 film about an all-girl rock band, featured a decadent Hollywood setting.
The players
Russ Meyer
An American filmmaker known as the "King Leer" of sexploitation cinema, Meyer was renowned for his emphasis on large breasts and outrageous plots in films like Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
The 7 Deadly Zins
A Zinfandel wine that Fuller suggests pairing with Meyer's film The Seven Minutes, given the spicy nature of both.
San Antonio Winery
A Los Angeles-based winery that was able to remain open during Prohibition by producing sacramental wine, which Fuller recommends pairing with Meyer's film Mudhoney.
Ménage à Trois Decadence
A Cabernet-based wine blend that Fuller believes would complement the decadent Hollywood setting of Meyer's film Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
What they’re saying
“What the public wants are big laughs and big tits and lots of 'em. Lucky for me that's what I like, too.”
— Russ Meyer, Filmmaker
“The Seven Minutes is boring and tedious”
— Russ Meyer, Filmmaker
The takeaway
Russ Meyer's over-the-top cinematic style demands wine pairings that can match his bold and unapologetic approach to filmmaking. By exploring creative wine choices that evoke the spirit of his works, we can enhance the experience of engaging with this provocative and influential director's unique vision.
