PageFiftyNine

 I have read Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh over and over again, and every time I laugh out loud. This collection of graphic-style short stories is not only funny, but relatable and heartwarming and introspective. But mostly funny.  I always read it when I need a pick-me-up, so I went for a wine that does the same.  The Pairing Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh and Bertoli White Blend (Vino Bianco)   Looking at them together, I will admit that they are not the most aesthetically pleasing pair. Bertoli is going for the stately look, and Allie Brosh's book has a couple of sketchpad goobers on the front. But I promise that this sweet and bright wine will perfectly accompany you as you giggle your way through Brosh's tales.  Bertoli's white blend is all sweet and no "mineral." Whenever I drink it, I imagine it as grown-up fruit juice (this assessment should serve as more evidence that I, in fact, have no real knowledge of oenol

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 t

I have to confess that I really struggled to decide on which wine to pair with Pride and Prejudice , which has been one of my favorite books since I first read it over a decade ago. I thought about pairing based on geography, like with Angels and Demons , but England does not produce many wines, being outside of the ideal climate for grape-growing. I checked out a few D'Arcy wines, but while Mr. Darcy is many things, a juicy berry is not one of them. I then thought about pairing based on time period, but finding a vineyard that was producing wines in 1813 and is still producing affordable wine today was kindly explained to me as "not a thing."  I knew I couldn't just randomly select something for this classic, I needed a bottle of wine that could stand with the boldness of its heroine and the goodness of its hero.  Fortune gifted me with two friends, who in turn gifted me with bottle of wine.  The Pairing Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Adorada

I just can't help myself. I have a problem with being left out of the conversation. This complex often drives me to read books just so that I can keep up with any cultural references. This was the case with  Fifty Shades of Grey.  This was... ahem... also the case with  Fifty Shades Darker  and  Fifty Shades Freed.  These books are, you know, books. Which is great because this boxed wine is wine. The Pairing The  Fifty Shades  Trilogy by E.L. James and a box of The Naked Grape Cabernet Sauvignon Just like the  Twilight  saga, you will roll your eyes consistently throughout these books. If you want to be drawn in enough to finish, you will need a large amount of wine to harden your resolve. Luckily, a box of  The Naked Grape holds 3 liters of wine, aka a cool 4 bottles. I'm actually a fan of boxed wine. They have come a long way since the days of Franzia; many wines that come in a bottle are now also offered in a bag. This simple difference comes with a disco