Famed British writer Virginia Woolf once said, “Language is wine upon the lips.” Of course, nothing quite pairs like a good book and a great wine. Read on for some favorite pieces of classic literature, paired with pours based on the name or region of the author or text.
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
Ponte alle Ruote Vernaccia di San Gimignano
This light, golden wine is perfect to accompany Dante’s journey through the afterworld. Not only is this crisp, dry bottling made near Florence, close to where Dante wrote his masterpiece, but Vernaccia was also briefly mentioned in the text.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Domaine du Gros ’Noré Bandol Rosé
To accompany this French classic about Edmond Dantès’s false imprisonment on an island fortress off Marseilles, choose this citrusy, dry rosé made in the region. The winery is located in Provence, where Marseilles is the capital.
The Heights of Macchu Picchu by Pablo Neruda
J. Bouchon País Viejo
Pair this monumental poem with a fruity red wine made in the area Neruda was born, the greater Maule region of Chile. The tome focuses on both his identity and Latin American history; it was inspired by Neruda’s visit to the legendary Machu Picchu, Peru.
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Finca Antigua Crianza Tempranillo
Just as Sancho Panza accompanied Don Quixote, this Spanish classic should be escorted by a Tempranillo that comes from La Mancha, Quixote’s home region.
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Melville Estate Chardonnay
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Melville’s birth, raise a glass of California-based Melville winery’s Chardonnay with this epic tale of revenge. The fresh and fruity wine will be an excellent aid to this intense, often quirky and humorous text.
Published: August 9, 2019
