Wine Paring for writers?Countless times, Authors are asked what wine makes an excellent pairing with writing. After all, a master of the craft, Ernest Hemingway, said to write drunk and edit sober.
Okay, writing and wine is a pairing rarely explored. So, let’s start.
Some robust reds pair well while writing action. I suggest one of Italian Big B wines, Barolo, Brunello & Barbaresco. The flavors of the juicy ripe black and red fruit blended with savory herbs are complex, just what we want in an action scene. A problem for many struggling writers is cost. The Big B wines can be a tad on the pricey side.
White wines? And yes, real men also drink white wine. They pair well with the contemplative writing moments. This is the time when a writer steps back from the keyboard, thinking about the next chapter or scene. Is Chardonnay to your taste? I personally lean to the dry whites like that, my fav being a Pinot Grigio. Romance writers may want some sweetness in their pairing. A Riesling or Moscato might serve you well.
For the writers who just can’t kick into gear, you might try chugging a bottle of Old Swill ($2.35 a bottle). It won’t help your writing a bit, but it does help you escape into a parallel world, and you won’t have to face the blank page until you wake up with a world-class hangover.
Then comes the sweet spot, the end of a great writing session. This is where I succumb to my Kahlua, just a wee bit to compliment my coffee.
For anyone satire-challenged, it was good fun to write this. The only beverage on my desk, water and sometimes coffee.
But that doesn’t stop me from dreaming about a good wine pairing to go along with my writing.
My next blog will feature a writing/playlist combination. What’s your favorite music to write with?
Hemingway’s drinking stories are legendary. His recommended approach above worked for him. And who among us writers have a full- sized bronze statue? I had a chance to see it at the Floridita Bar in Havana recently.
Until the next time,
Chuck