Pairing Wine and Books: The Intuitive Guide to Talking About Wine
Pairing Wine and Books: The Intuitive Guide to Talking About Wine
We are always trying to find ways to enhance your wine experience and while brainstorming with a friend one day a year and a half ago... GG suggested an idea to pair wines with books. This definitely got me thinking and it has been simmering at the back of my mind to find the ideal matches.
I am happy to be able to share my winter list with you as you snuggle up with a book and a glass or two of wine during the chilly days.
Finding 'Literary Bliss' in a Glass of Wine
Have you ever read a book that just sticks with you?
That feeling, it’s called ‘literary bliss’.
It’s when a book hits you so deeply that you feel sad arriving at the final page or you drag the book out for as long as possible so it lasts longer. You don’t want to leave this magical world behind. You want to relive it all again and again.
Ever felt that?
Similarly has a wine ever hit you emotionally? One of my key moments is meeting Aunty May decades ago and sipping her Chateau Pichon Lalande in Bordeaux and thinking wow I met the person behind this tasty elegant wine and brand. It is what we like to call viticultural wine bliss. It describes something about wine that’s bigger than tasting notes or bouquets or mouthfeel.
It’s about the emotional punch and meaning of a wine. I would like to say it is like how our Alberta agent in Canada Terry & Alandra became importers for the love of ours and a few other producer's wines and became an importer. And most recently our new Hong Kong agent who tasted our wines in Brisbane last year is now importing our wines into Hong Kong!
The feeling that stays with you and fills up those little corners of your memory with good times and great company. In the same way that a great book does.
Next time you sip a vintage, think about it?
How does it make you feel? Then try to describe that feeling to someone.
Pairing Six UMAMU Estate Wines with Iconic Books
I went down a rabbit hole trying to match six UMAMU Estate wines, does feel like it has taken me forever. But I had to get the pairing right for the pair! To find books that gave me a similar buzz. Think of this list as a starting point for your own explorations. What is your pairing list?
It's about sparking ideas, mixing it up.
Friends visited me recently and Marina and I were bantering away and I loved this quote from her which has become my motto of the year 'You do you' and, like wine and books, everyone's tastes differ.
What’s your pairing going to be? I would love to know your pairing list so please email and share with us. Here is my list...
Sparkling MacAnn 2019 with Ikigai by Hector Garcia
We all want a happy life, don’t we?
I love bubblys.
It would definitely be my ‘desert island’ wine if push came to shove.
The book Ikigai by Hector García is all about finding joy and purpose in life. It’s a perfect way to describe how drinking Sparkling MacAnn 2019 makes me feel. Named after my Dad & Mum Mac & Ann to top the emotions.
Live life optimally, be happy and drink much sparkling wine. My bucket list is to drink bubbles continually through a day and see how many hours or days it is before I have had enough.
Rose 2018 with Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
A customer once said to me that our Rose 2018 is like ‘drinking layers of sophistication’.
A glass of this wine reminds me of Eat Pray Love.
It’s just so many things in one. It’s irresistible. The layers of sophistication make you want to keep going, exploring, eating, praying and loving.
Cabernet Franc 2016 with Tuesday with Morrie by Mitch Alborn
I started this book three years ago but couldn't get into it. I approached it again a few months ago and by then I was ready for the book and I found it incredibly easy reading yet full of character. It shows you important things in life, things you wouldn't want to miss out on.
Just like our Cabernet Franc.
Delicate and easy to savour yet with dimension and character.
MacAnn Cabernets 2019 with The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
This more or less speaks for itself!
This vintage is made by our winemaker, Glenn Goodall. It’s a little more edgy and gutsy than our previous vintages.
A perfect match for The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.
This book (and this wine) resonate with the brave and bold side of me, to not give a f*ck about things that aren’t worth my time.
It’s about focusing on what is true, immediate and important to you.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 with That’s Bold of You by Case Kenny
Nothing is too much in this book.
It asks us to live our ‘too much’ self and be unapologetic for it.
It is about being who you are and not worrying about being too much of yourself because of how you think someone else finds you. Being honest with yourself. Be your real self rather than what you think you should be for someone else. And your tribe will be your suitable tribe accordingly. The author mentions Balance alot!
"Be real first, not in reaction to other people." I like the little nuances the book shares.
Like whether you like a book. Wine is similarly personal, do you like it or not? You might today and your palate will change and you might prefer something different when it does. For me a good book is when I can tuck into it without effort and take away something from the book and I enjoy what the author has to say. When we produce wine, we do the best we can in the vineyard and then with each vintage we then tailor the best we can to produce the most Balanced wine we are able to do.
We work hard to put our best foot forward each vintage and our Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is our bold attempt for you.
Cane Cut 2014 with Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson
I got this book at Perth airport recently – and I’m so glad I did!
It’s full of little flashes of wisdom.
And this is the most perfect way to describe my relationship with our Cane Cut 2014.
I keep an open bottle in the fridge to have a small glass or two for whenever I feel like it. The wine stays fresh and keeps for ages.
Little bitesize swigs of wisdom and so useful to be reminded not to sweat the small stuff!