Black Beauty & Dark Horse Merlot

Even though it was 70 and sunny yesterday, today has decided to be 40 and gray. Luckily, this provides the perfect excuse to curl up to a fire- perhaps for one of the last times before spring. I'm turning the clock forwards in the PageFiftyNine book collection from last week's early 19th century journey, but not by much... Anna Sewell wrote this classic in 1877.

I didn't really understand the term "all the feels" until reading Black Beauty. You will go on a roller coaster of emotion (I know that metaphor is overused, but this time it's for real) and you will need a sturdy, dependable wine to take on the trip. I've got one for you.

The Pairing

 Black Beauty by Anna Sewell and Dark Horse Merlot


There are a lot of equine-related wines, as it turns out. (Ok, ok, I've given up the whole "the name of the wine has nothing to do with the pairing" gig.) I checked out Wild Horse wines and found they are crafted in honor of the wild horses that once roamed near their vineyard. Black Beauty is many things, but he is not wild, so I had to cross that one out. There's also Light Horse wine, but that one is no good for obvious reasons. Dark Horse vineyards, however, have an edge to them. They have pushed forward from a small operation to a large presence, and have a simple mission to make decent wine at a decent price. It is a motto that strikes a similar cord as this timeless story- just be decent.


This Merlot has a nice, fruity smell but has strong oaky flavors. It's a bold taste, and may not be for everyone, but if you give it a chance I think you'll find it's got a lot to offer. 


This book also has a lot to offer. It holds a lens to human nature in a way that I found refreshing. Since it takes place in the late 1800's and is from the point of view of an animal, it allows you to make your own connections and stirs your own memories, rather than force-feeding you modern agendas. Some people take from it the simple message that we should be kind to animals. I remember reading it as a child and taking away the lesson that you should do what's right, even when no one is watching. Now, when I read it as an adult, I'm reminded that we all have to hope that kindness will always conquer evil. Perhaps, if we all take time to read stories like these, we'll be one step closer!


Don't worry. No matter how deeply you choose to go into the story, you've got a bottle of Merlot to pave the way. Another note about the wine- the final piece that tied these two together for me was actually the Dark Horse logo. Black Beauty is often identified by the star on his forehead, so I thought it was adorable that Dark Horse's image is of a horse with a wine glass blaze. Sometimes it's just the little details.

Even though we're all ready for spring, I hope this pairing will help you enjoy the last few days of winter!

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If you've liked reading about my wine and book pairings, let me know what you think! Do you like books that are paired only on taste, or ones like this that have a shared theme as well?

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Page 60

 Feel like you're even more a part of the story by lighting a pasture-scented candle.

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