PageFiftyNine

Welcome back to PageFiftyNine! When it comes to choosing each pairing, the method is very chicken-and-the-egg; I don't always start with one or the other, but rather allow an experience to guide me. Sometimes I read a book and then go hunting for the perfect wine, but sometimes, like with this pair, I am sipping on a wine and realize I know the perfect story to go with it. I've enjoyed this process so much that I dream of opening a book and wine store that's organized in two ways- one side is arranged by wine with book pairing suggestions, one side is arranged by books with wine pairing suggestions.  That way when someone walks into my future shop, it's all about what frame of mind they're in at that moment, rather than a preset purpose. This week's pairing is for those in the mood for something intense and lingering. It will have you curling up on the couch and settling in for an Italian adventure. The Pairing Angels and Demons  by Dan Brown and Ruffino C...

After showcasing a sparkling wine and two reds , I figured it was time to bring in the first white wine of PageFiftyNine! The moment I saw this Pinot Grigio, I thought of Cloud Atlas , and when I tasted it I knew it would be perfect. The Pairing Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell and Prophecy Pinot Grigio You may have seen the movie based on Cloud Atlas , which was a great adaptation. But, like most movie adaptations, it leaves out SO much, including the basic structure of the novel (story within a story within a story within a story within a story... within a story). It's a long, sturdy book, but it's worth the time and effort to read.* This Prophecy Pinot Grigio is described as "Light citrus, tropical fruits, and mineral flavors." Before becoming a more avid wine drinker, I would read things like 'mineral flavors' and basically just ignore it. But it's important to take note of- for example, this Pinot Grigio comes with what I'll describe...

If you're not familiar with Barbara Kingsolver's Flight Behavior  or Barbera wine, then welcome to a brief introduction of both. The Pairing Flight Behavior  by Barbara Kingsolver and Monarch Glen Barbera Flight Behavior follows Dellarobia Turnbow, a farmer's wife whose discovery awakens her own curiosity and starts conversations about science, nature, religion, class, and more. She's low on money and sanity, but one afternoon hike changes her life forever. Kingsolver's writing is at times light, at times hefty, but always rich. Barbera is a medium-bodied red that could be called "wine of the people." It's not the fanciest of wines- it's grapes originally occupied the less-desirable lower slopes of vineyards in Italy- but you'll still find it to be juicy and easy to drink. The style has been recreated in other regions, such as Argentina and California, the latter of which is the home of the Monarch Glen Vintners. This Barbera is de...

Welcome back to PageFiftyNine! This week I took a sharp left turn from The Great Gatsby and sparkling wine- featured instead are the first non-fiction book and the first red wine. I love Mary Roach, the author of Packing for Mars (as well as Stiff , Spook , and Bonk ). I was recently gifted this space novel for Christmas and immediately devoured it. Mary’s writing is thorough and factual, but also light and extremely funny. Thank my lucky stars (get it?) that I have the perfect celestial wine. This pairing was a no-brainer. The Pairing Packing for Mars by Mary Roach and 7 Moons Red Blend 7 Moons Red Blend is a combination of seven wines- Cabernet, Malbec, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Merlot, and Grenache. While that sounds (and is) very complex, the wine is incredibly smooth and easy to drink. This smooth complexity is, likewise, found in Packing for Mars - each page is packed with interviews, dates, names, scientific terms, and acronyms, but the stories flow like a...

Welcome to Page 59! The idea for wine and book pairings came to me a short time ago when I noticed a wine stain on one of the pages of a favorite book, A Game of Thrones  by George R.R. Martin. My books are well-loved (along with wine stains one might find cracked spines or dog ears I’m sorry), so rather than this discovery inspiring angst, it inspired an idea: what is the perfect wine to go with each book? Surely there must be a single taste that pairs best with the words and visions of a novel? As I studied the wine stain, I remembered staying up late, Merlot in hand, to devour a dark and broody thriller. I thought of sitting on the beach with an easy romance in one hand and an easy Pinot Grigio in the other. As I pondered, more and more pairings came to mind. And so, from that small stain on page 59 came this new venture. I could say it was impossible to decide which pairing to write about first, but it just wouldn’t be true- my heart was always settled on F. Scott Fitzgeral...