Skip to main content

Did You Notice THIS Change In Hallmark's "Raise a Glass to Love?"

Starring:  Laura Osnes and Juan Pablo di Pace

Released:  2021 (Fall Harvest)

Summary:  An aspiring Master Sommelier returns to her family vineyard to study and is intrigued by the natural methods of the handsome new Argentinian winemaker.

Laura Osnes and Juan Pablo di Paci in Hallmark's "Raise a Glass to Love"
Magic happens when Hallmark actually uses talented actors instead of inexperienced "newbies."

Jenna's Boyfriend, Aidan, Isn't A Weiner

When a female lead already has a boyfriend before she meets her true love, Hallmark traditionally casts the secondary male character as a bit of a jerk, someone homely, or a puny fella so viewers won't get attached to him and be upset when he's kicked to the curb.  A recent example is Callie's ex-boyfriend, Joe, in Roadhouse Romance.

Played by Adil Zaidi, no one is heartbroken when Callie decides against rekindling her romance with high school sweetheart, Joe.

In a refreshing change-up, Raise a Glass to Love pairs Jenna Savern (Laura Osnes) with Aidan Parker (Matthew James Dowden).  Aidan is tall, handsome, classy, and successful.  His only flaw is that he and Jenna share different dreams, and he overlooks her initially for the sommelier job at his fine dining restaurant.  Even when he ultimately gives her the position, he treats her as an employee rather than a partner he can trust to work independently.  

Even though it's a subtle break from the norm, it's nice to see a supporting role be played by someone of equal caliber to the leading male star.


Who Knew a Wine Expert Is Called a Sommelier?  

This movie separated viewers into socio-economic classes--those who knew before watching what a sommelier was and how to pronounce it, and the rest of us who still can't say the word correctly and never knew a wine expert had an official title. 

Throwing this fancy term around the whole movie reminds me of Christmas at the Plaza when a lot of us learned that a Christmas tree topper is technically called a finial d'arbre.  

Did you know Jennifer Huether, the female sommelier Jenna admired and who lavished high praise on Marcelo's wine, is actually a Master Sommelier in real life?  Jennifer is a very sought-after speaker, and you can read more about her here.    

Jennifer Huether and Laura Osnes from Hallmark's "Raise a Glass to Love"
Jennifer Huether is a real-life Master Sommelier.  Image: Crown Media

It's also true that there are only 269 Master Sommeliers worldwide and a mere 28 of them are women.  Of course, Hallmark latches onto this fact in their current state of "wokeness" to perpetuate the feminist myth that women are somehow disenfranchised, which is bologna.  Like Jenna's character, Huether got to where she is through grueling study, thousands of flashcards, sleepless nights, and practicing blind taste testing.  Though the majority of us couldn't imagine developing the skill to taste wine and pinpoint its exact ingredients, geographic region of origin, and the year it was made, this is a pursuit open to both sexes--no ax to grind here, Hallmark!


Raise A Glass to Love Features a Talented Cast


Hallmark claims to be recruiting new talent, but this movie shows that seasoned actors make for a higher quality movie.  Hallmark movies featuring newbies frequently stink.

Laura Osnes

Osnes has starred in five Hallmark movies thus far:




Raise a Glass to Love



A Broadway star before being recruited by Hallmark, Osnes is a beautiful woman, a mega talented singer, and a delightful leading Hallmark actress.

Juan Pablo di Pace

Be still my beating corazón!  Di Pace isn't raw talent--he's been around for some time.  You may remember him as Nicholas Traviño from the reboot of Dallas in 2014, Fernando in Fuller House from 2016-2020, and most notably his role as Jesus in A.D. The Bible Continues in 2015, though he's starred in many other productions including Dancing with the Stars.



Di Pace was born in Argentina, just like his Marcelo character, and there is something dead sexy about Latino male actors.  Every time he looks at Jenna, he reeks passion and sensual appeal.

Want to see more of Di Paci?  Check out his salsa performance on Dancing with the Stars.



Unlike other Hallmark actors who have starred in so many movies they sometimes appear to be robotically going through the motions, Di Paci brings heat into his role.  When he excitedly shares the news with Jenna that he's buying a neighboring vineyard and desires to build the business with her as his sommelier, and then proceeds to confess his love for her, the intensity of his passion nearly devours her on-screen.  The man is HOT!  Too bad he's gay.

Did you know that Di Paci can sing too?  Here's a sample:

Matthew James Dowden

Dowden enjoyed supporting roles in Hallmark's A Brush with Love, Don't Go Breaking My Heart, Good Morning, Christmas! and Martha's Vineyard Mysteries, and could likely hold his own as a leading man.  In addition, he has written a children's book, Matthew the Magnificent, and he writes scripts for film and television--a versatile talent!  You can check out David Alves' interview with Dowden here.  

   


My Movie Rating

Raise a Glass to Love ranks in my top five favorite Hallmark movies from 2021.  I give it 5/5 stars. You can share your rating below.   
If you find yourself craving wine after watching this movie, be sure to check out this adorable Wine Nook!  It's a decorative box wine dispenser that will class up your next girl's night, holiday party, wedding shower, or special event.  

Don't have wine boxes cluttering up your counter when you can have the equivalent of four bottles in this cute Wine Nook.  It's fun and stylish and your guests will take notice.  It's portable, easy to use, and it makes the perfect gift for wine lovers.

Click on the image to order from Amazon.  (Paid promotion)

Find Us on Social Media! 


If you are a Hallmark movies fan, you can find us on a variety of social media platforms.  Our groups are unique because you are encouraged to share honest feedback on all movies.  Some groups function like thought police and will block you for not gushing about every movie and actor.  Our groups value freedom of speech.

Comments

  1. This is a wonderful movie and has on the top of my list of favorites. It just felt real and not scripted as alot of the movies do. Make some more like this one. These two actors were great together. LOVE IT!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Absolutely loved it! Would like to see a sequel to the one. Chemistry between actors was great. I am a big fan of Hallmark movies. I would love to see Juan Pablo Di Pace in more movies on the channel he is the complete package. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great movie! I've watched it several times and would watch it again.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just found this movie.. Loved it!! Have watched it more than 5 times!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lacey Chabert Compromises Her Faith in Hallmark's "Groundswell"

Image:  Crown Media Lacey Chabert Is a Hallmark A-Lister Before Candace Cameron Bure left Hallmark for Great American Family, fans would good-naturedly spar over who should be crowned the network's Queen of Christmas --Bure or Lacey Chabert.  Starring in more leading roles on Hallmark than other actresses, both ladies seemed to retain a firm reign over the network, evidenced by their massive viewing audience. All fans have their favorite Chabert movie, but there's no denying that A Christmas Waltz was the number one most watched original movie premiere in 2020, and in 2022, The Wedding Veil broke Hallmark viewing records by drawing in more than 3.3 million live viewers.  In fact, The Wedding Veil outperformed all of Hallmark's 2021 movies, proving Chabert's popularity shows no sign of waning. Surprisingly, as many familiar faces left Hallmark for Great American Family, like Jen Lilley and CCB, Chabert not only stayed with Hallmark, but she also signed a 2-year deal

Hallmark Announces 12 New Spring Movies for 2023! (*UPDATED* with More Movies & Printable Checklist!)

Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries are gearing up for some egg-cellent entertainment this spring, featuring twelve new movies that will premiere between both channels. Check out the list below to see which of your favorite Hallmark celebrities will headline each new movie and note their March and April 2023 air dates and times. You will find a printable checklist at the end of the post to track the movies you watch!   1.  The Love Club:  Nicole's Pen Pal Image:  Hallmark Media Brittany Bristow and Marcus Rosner kick of Hallmark Channel's Spring into Love 2023 with this movie about a recently engaged woman who is having second thoughts.  She wonders if the one she's meant to be with is really her mystery college pen pal whose letters she has kept for years. It sounds a little like Her Pen Pal from 2021, but hopefully the details will make it unique rather than a carbon copy of a previously aired movie. The Love Club:  Nicole's Pen Pal  premieres March

Take This Trivia QUIZ on Hallmark's "The Wedding Veil"

The Wedding Veil Plot Summary   The Wedding Veil is the first installment of a new trilogy that follows three longtime college friends who discover a mysterious, antique veil fabled to unite its bearer with her true love.  After discovering a long-lost painting, museum curator Avery and new board member Peter investigate the artwork's origins as they plan a gala to unveil it. Starring :  Lacey Chabert, Kevin McGarry, Autumn Reeser, and Alison Sweeney Lacey always makes a beautiful bride!  Image:  Crown Media The Wedding Veil Is Inspired by Lori Wilde's Book Churning out tons of new movies each year takes a toll on Hallmark's creativity.  How many plots can be about a writer, and is it common for so many people to suffer from amnesia? Recycled stories grow wearisome, but when Hallmark taps authors outside their own bubble, fans benefit from fun, light-hearted romances that are refreshingly unique. The Wedding Veil  is inspired by the book, There Goes the Bride by Lori

UPDATED: Hallmark Announces FIVE New Movies for May 2023!

Between Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, fans have been treated to 12 new movies spanning March and April 2023.   As TV infomercials always tease, " But wait!  There's more !"   Hallmark is cranking out an additional FIVE  new movies during May 2023. 1.  When Love Springs Premieres May 6 at 8pm Eastern This movie uses the "fake boyfriend" trope.  Starring Rhiannon Fish and James William O'Halloran, the movie is about Rory (Fish) who goes to a quaint B&B on the lake where her parents are renewing their vows.  She bumps into the ex-boyfriend who broke who heart who is there with his new girlfriend.  To save face, Rory grabs onto the B&B owner, Noah (O'Halloran), and pretends he is her boyfriend.  Why would Noah go along with this charade?  The B&B is failing, but a travel blogger is coming to review the place.  With a background in PR, Rory offers to help Noah prepare in exchange for him pretending to be her boyfriend. Yo

Hallmark Announces 7 NEW Movies for September 2023! Download the Printable CHECKLIST!

If you're ready to cool down and get cozy with all the comforts of Fall, Hallmark has a slate of SEVEN new movies planned for September 2023 --four on Hallmark Channel and three on Movies & Mysteries. Keep reading for more information on movie titles and plot summaries, air dates and times, and cast members. You will also find a printable movie checklist that you can download to track the movies you want to see. 1.  Love in the Great Smoky Mountains:  A National Park Romance Premieres:  Saturday, September 2 at 8pm Eastern (Hallmark Channel) Starring:  Arielle Kebbel and Zach Roerig Synopsis:    Former sweethearts  reunite at an archeological dig in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While working alongside each other and competing for the same research grant, they discover they might still have feelings for one another. Image:  Hallmark Media 2.  Guiding Emily Premieres :  Friday, September 8 at 9pm Eastern (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) Starring:  Sarah Drew and A

Hallmark Movies Available on DVD in 2023!

List of All New Hallmark DVD Releases for 2023   When you watch a Hallmark movie premiere and it becomes a new favorite, it's exciting to discover it's been released to DVD.  Space is limited on your DVR, so having your own library of Hallmark DVDs is the best way to watch the movies you love whenever you want. You're busy though, so you may forget to search online for the latest releases.  No need to worry!  This blog post will continue to track each new Hallmark DVD as it becomes available.  Be sure to bookmark this page and keep checking back over the course of the year for updates. The Wedding Veil Trilogy 2 Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas/ Our Italian Christmas Memories/ Christmas Bells Are Ringing Christmas Sail/ The Royal Nanny/ A Royal Corgi Christmas Hallmark Countdown to Christmas 6-Movie Collection:  A Holiday Spectacular/We Wish You a Married Christmas/Jolly Good Christmas/#XMAS/Christmas Bedtime Stories/Ghosts of Christmas Always Hallmark Countdown to C

Hallmark Announces SEVEN New Movies for July/August's "Summer Nights!" Get the Printable Checklist!

Hallmark revealed to ET  that they will premiere seven new movies for their annual Summer Nights celebration, starting July 29 and running through August 2023. Five movies will debut on the Hallmark Channel while two will appear on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. In addition, fans of When Calls the Heart can expect new episodes for season 10 on Sunday nights.  1.  Aloha Heart Premieres:  Saturday, July 29 at 8pm Eastern (Hallmark Channel) Starring:  Taylor Cole and Kanoa Goo Synopsis:  A conservationist travels to Hawaii for her best friend's wedding and instead of a relaxing vacation, finds herself in a wedding prep and helping the new hotel manager make changes to his family hotel. Image:  Hallmark Media 2.  Making Waves Premieres:  Saturday, August 5 at 8pm Eastern (Hallmark Channel) Starring:  Holland Roden and Corey Cott Synopsis:  Amelia (Roden) is a music executive who travels to the Outer Banks for a festival where she tries to beat her competitors in landing an elusiv

Hallmark's "The Color of Rain" the True Story of Gina Kell and Michael Spehn

Starring:  Lacey Chabert and Warren Christie Released:  2014 Summary:  While consoling each other over the recent loss of their spouses, a man and a woman grow close and fall in love. Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC Gina Kell and Michael Spehn Find Love Despite Tragedy You've seen the movie, so you know the plot, but did you catch that it's based on a real-life story? Gina Kell's husband died on Christmas Day, 2005, from a rare and incurable cancer, leiomyocarcoma, which he battled for three years. Weeks later, Cathy Spehn died seventeen days after learning her painful headaches were a result of a brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme. It's no wonder the two gravitated toward one another. It's like parenting--people who have never had children can't really grasp what life with kids is truly like on a daily basis.  Similarly, your heart can hurt for someone who has lost their spouse, but you can't relate to them on deeper le

Does Lacey Chabert Do Her Own Dancing in Hallmark's "The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango?"

Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp danced their way into our hearts in 2020 with the most watched cable movie premiere of the year, Christmas Waltz , and since then, fans have been itching for another story that would reunite the two on the dance floor. Chabert and Kemp both executive produce The Dancing Detective:  A Deadly Tango , but the concept for the tale is credited completely to Kemp.  When he pitched his idea to Hallmark, executives recognized the perfect opportunity to delight fans once again with their favorite dancing duo. Image:  Hallmark Media What is The Dancing Detective:  A Deadly Tango About? Constance Bailey (Chabert) is a very independent and detail-oriented detective who, despite her success rate, hasn't been promoted in five years, primarily because she doesn't work well with others. When the CEO of Aston International is murdered days before the annual executive ballroom dancing competition, Bailey is sent to Malta to investigate.  Interpol is watching, so it&#