Wines and Books: The Pleasure of Reading and the Perfect Pairing
By G. G. Jolly
Life and Writing: A Criterion of Civilization
The combination of wines and books represents one of the greatest refuges of human culture. The phrase attributed to Thucydides in his classic work is famous: "The peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarism when they learned to cultivate the olive and the vine." This transition from basic agriculture to winemaking represents a higher stage of patience, stability, and technical sophistication.
Similarly, the invention of writing marks the great civilizational leap of our species. It's not surprising to find literary traces of this union from Homer's Odyssey to historical biblical canticles.
Wines and books: Essential pairings for your library
On the occasion of World Book Day promoted by UNESCO, we present a curated selection. Discover great works where wine is the protagonist, accompanied by its ideal label available for purchase in our digital cellar.
1. The Cellar – Noah Gordon (2007)
A young man finds the peace that politics denied him in manual labor and the Catalan vine.
Pairing: Buy Tinto +7 Més que set (Pinord, Penedès).
2. The Temptress – María Dueñas (2015)
Thrilling adventures set against the rise of the "sherry" industry in 19th-century Cadiz.
Pairing: Buy Amontillado Tío Diego (Valdespino).
3. Dandelion Wine – Ray Bradbury (1957)
The subtle nostalgia of childhood evoked through purely citrus and floral extracts.
Pairing: Buy Submission Rosé (689 Cellars).
4. Sideways – Rex Pickett (2004)
A funny and introspective midlife crisis resolved among California's best vineyards.
Pairing: Buy Pinot Noir Educated Guess.
5. The Taster – Roald Dahl (1951)
A thrilling duel of bourgeois wit over the identity of a mysterious and exclusive wine.
Pairing: Buy D de Dauzac (Bordeaux).
6. The Moonlit Vineyard – Carla Montero (2023)
Family secrets and betrayals in the Champagne region during the German occupation.
Pairing: Buy Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve.
7. Wine & War – Don & Petie Kladstrup (2001)
A historical essay on the heroic protection of French viticultural heritage from Nazi looting.
Pairing: Buy Château Magnol (Haut-Médoc).
8. Wine: A History of Humanity – Hugh Johnson (1989)
An erudite and fascinating journey from ancient Anatolia to the present day.
Pairing: Buy Ruby Reserve Sotto Voce Port.
9. Drink or Not Drink – Lawrence Osborne (2004)
A philosophical reflection on civilizational refinement, sobriety, and drunkenness throughout history.
Pairing: Buy Caiarossa Biodynamic (Tuscany).
10. What is Wine? – Béla Hamvas (1945)
A profound and mystical philosophy of wine written during the complex post-war period.
Pairing: Buy Riesling GG Berg Schlossberg.
11. I Drink, Therefore I Am – Sir Roger Scruton (2009)
Wine understood as an existential tool to bring us back to terroir and deep reflection.
Pairing: Buy Château Fakra (Lebanon).
Enjoying excellent wines and books at home elevates any ordinary afternoon. We invite you to explore and purchase all these exclusive bottles directly in our online store, with guaranteed delivery and secure shipping throughout Mexico.
