READ BETWEEN THE WINES
Greta & Valdin
01.05.24
The Highbury Library book club, aka, Read Between The Wines takes place bi-montly downstairs at the bar.
Join Emily & Joanna as they bring you literary delights paired with their favourite natural wines. Alternatively, purchase the bundle and you will receive the RBTW guide so you can read along in the comfort of your own home!
This month we are reading Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly. The book club will take place on Wednesday 1st May at 7:45pm (Night one on 30/4 is now sold out)
As always, we have teamed up with our good friends at Book Bar to bring you the book, as well as our matched wines.
You can choose between;
- a book & wine bundle which includes free attendance,
- a book & wine bundle with no attendance, allowing you to join in from home,
- or, simply purchase your ticket for the night by selecting 'no book / no wine / ticket & RBTW guide'.
The Night
On the night, Joanna will give an introduction to the wines and why they have been matched to the book. You have the option to purchase them by the glass - a great excuse to try them both! Emily will then kick start the conversation. We like to give everyone a chance to contribute, if they wish. It's a warm and friendly evening and we love getting to know everyone!
The Book
This book has a real buzz right now so we’re excited to dip in and see what all the fuss is about. The critics are calling it ‘joyful’ and ‘hilarious’ but also moving at the same time. We thought we’d move onto something fun as spring is springing! 🌸
This was a huge hit in New Zealand, where it originally published, and follows two siblings as they navigate queerness, multi racial identity, and the messiness of love and life.
The Wine
Brand Red 2022
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir, Dornfelder, Cabernet Franc, Riesling
Producer: Brand Brothers (Daniel & Jonas)
Region: Pfalz, Germany
Certified Organic
Wild Scale: 4/5
Vegan friendly wine
Winemaking: Organic grapes were harvested by hand and underwent carbonic maceration. All grapes were pressed into old barrels apart from the Pinot Noir which went into stainless steel. Fermentation with indigenous yeast. Bottled with no fining, filtration or added sulphur.
This Wine: The Brand Brother's super juicy red is back for the 2022 vintage! Light and direct wine made from a blend of red and white grape varieties, this is best served from the fridge.
Notes on the Winemaker: Daniel and Jonas Brand hail from Pfalz where they took over their family winery in 2014 to concentrate on fully natural wines. Their wines are unique, alive and bursting with personality. We visited in 2018 to explore the vineyards and learn the stories that accompany the wines.
Filthy/Gorgeous 2022
Grape Variety: Macabeo
Producer: Chateau Baby Girl (Fernando Berry)
Region: Penedès, Catalunya, Spain
Vegan friendly wine
Wild Scale: 4/5
Winemaking: Organic Macabeo grapes grown by Nuria Renom were hand harvested crushed before spending 48 hours on the skins. Fermentation with indigenous yeast in stainless steel. Aged in tank and amphora vessels for 1 year before bottling with no fining, filtration or added sulphur.
This Wine: The mysterious Chateau Baby Girl has harnessed the power of Nuria Renom's Macabeo grapes to produce and orange, skin contact wine . This is fresh and tart with flavours bitter grapefruit, green apple and gooseberry. This very small production took place at the winery of Vinyes Tortuga in northern Catalonia.
Notes on the Winemaker: Chateau Baby Girl is an esteemed 300 hectare estate on the left bank in Bordeaux. Not really. It's actually the winemaking project of Fernando Berry, well known for his import company Otros Vinos that has been championing the pioneers of Spanish natural wine for years now. Fernando has built such a close relationship with so many of his winemakers that it has helped realise his dream to make his own wine. 2021 was his first vintage and we look forward to more in the future.
Find out why we have picked these wines to pair with Greta & Valdin on the night or in our guide. We can’t wait to dip in and discuss with you.