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Yeah, I missed the boat on a Memorial Day theme. With these pairings I am truly in the moment, not checking ahead in the calendar to see if I can do something special or relevant. I will try to be more purposeful in the future, but for now my sole purpose still remains to try to find a thoughtful relationship between a beloved novel and a delicious wine. And so, from my own little bubble: The Pairing The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory and Chateau Souverain Sauvignon Blanc  I must confess that I have not read any of the other Philippa Gregory's novels, but after reading this one, they are all on my list. She truly brings her characters to life, but not in a cheesy or overt way (I can't do the one-dimensional cute and clumsy woman, or the simple dark and tortured and jealous man... sorry E.L. James). But in The Lady of the Rivers there is a collection of complex characters that you come to love. For her juicy storytelling, I needed a juicy wine. This Sauvign...

I love rainy days. As a proud Couch Potato, I'm always grateful for a legitimate excuse to curl up with a blanket for hours on end. Today I'm reaching for an old favorite to read, and an old favorite to drink. The Pairing The Red Tent by Anita Diamant and Haut Vignac  Périgord  Merlot Périgord is a region in France that is known as the "cradle of civilization" or the "cradle of mankind" due to all the historical sites that have been found in this lush land. I wasn't able to locate wines from the location of the novel (Israel, the Middle East). Instead, I figured an adaptation of a history-rich wine could still pair with this adaptation of a historical story. The real tie between this wine and The Red Tent is the theme of the river. The Dordogne River in Périgord is a large reason why life has thrived in this area for so long, and Dinah, the main character in the novel, is deeply tied to rivers. It is a theme that flows throughout the story (Ge...

The Pairing The Princess Bride by William Goldman and Buttercup Chardonnay I mean, it was just too easy.  I was strolling through the Chardonnay section and saw this bottle, and immediately thought of our beautiful Buttercup and her beloved Westley (as anyone in their right mind should). It's a little more expensive than the typical wine I drink, but I quickly discovered that it was worth every penny. Seriously, if you need/want/deserve/crave a decadent evening, please grab this pairing. The Princess Bride will make you laugh, and cry, and sigh, and smile. The wine probably won't make you do all those things (that would be a little weird...) but it will make you pause and think "So that's what Chardonnay should taste like." You know how you always hear that Chardonnay has a buttery taste? I figured I had that taste pinned down, and then I discovered Buttercup Chardonnay. I actually didn't know what to make of it at first, but after a few more ...

Last week's pairing had many wonderful qualities, but "easy" was not one of them. To take a break, I reached for one of my favorite Liane Moriarty books. Wasn't hard to find an easy wine to bring along! The Pairing What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty and Piccini Pinot Grigio 2016 If you haven't read any of Moriarty's novels, think "beach read with substance." This one has a few intertwined story lines, all of which seem to deal with love, and loss, and the effect time can have on a person. It's a great book to pick up when you need something that will have you turning the pages! I grabbed this wine awhile back and am not ashamed to admit that I only picked it up because of the label. It's whimsical and adorable, just like the main character of this novel. Luckily, what was inside the bottle also fit with this book: mostly light and classic, but a definite sour/tart side as well. Maybe this summer I'll make it to the beac...