READ BETWEEN THE WINES
The Art Of Joy
21.01.24 SOLD OUT
16.01.24 SOLD OUT

The Highbury Library book club, aka, Read Between The Wines takes place bi-monthly 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 The Art of Joy by Goliarda Sapienza. The book club will take place on Tuesday 21st January at 7:45pm. Please note, Thursday 16th Jan 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  

The Art of Joy by Goliarda Sapienza

We were recommended this book by one of our favourite wine makers, JB at La Voluta - who adored it so much that he named two of his wines after the characters. And so the perfect RBTW pairing was born! 

The author began the novel in 1967 but didn’t find a publisher for it before she died in 1996. It was eventually published as a Penguin Modern Classic in 2005 after being deemed a ‘forgotten masterpiece’. The Sicilian novel covers the entire 20th century - a coming of age story which explores sexuality and desire within the context of Italy’s social and political past.

This is longer than average - so we’re giving you more notice than usual to get reading!

The Wine  

Mimmo 2022

Grape Variety: Grenache, Carignan

Producer: La Voluta (Jean-Benoit Vivequain and Anna Rubio)

Region: Cucugnan, Roussillon, France

Wild Scale: 4/5

Vegan friendly wine

14% alcohol

Winemaking: Organic Grenache and Carignan grapes grown on red clay soils were harvested by hand. Pressed by foot in whole bunches and macerated for 6 days. Co-fermentation with wild yeast in stainless steel tanks where the wine then aged for 7 months.  No fining, filtration or added sulphur. 

This Wine: Natural red wine with medium body and fresh acidity. Dark fruit flavours along with chocolate and nutty elements make this a food-friendly bottle with layers of complexity to enjoy through a meal. Only 2000 bottles made.

Notes on the Winemaker: La Voluta is the natural wine project of Jean Benoit Vivequain and Anna Rubio who now reside in the village of Cucugnan after meeting on the other side of the world in New Zealand where they were both learning about winemaking. They focus on old-vine Grenache Noir which is indigenous to the wild and rugged terrain between Cucugnan and Maury. The wines are deep and complex, often with some darker elements as JB enjoys playing with oxidation. No cuvée is ever made twice which keeps Anna busy as she makes all of the labels.

Bambolina 2021

Grape Variety: Grenache, Syran, Carignan

Producer: La Voluta (Jean-Benoit Vivequain and Anna Rubio)

Region: Cucugnan, Roussillon, France

Wild Scale: 4/5

Vegan friendly wine

13% alcohol

Winemaking: Organic grapes on red clay soils were harvested by hand. Pressed by foot in whole bunches and macerated for 8 days before pressing. Each variety was fermented with wild yeast separately in stainless steel before ageing in barrel for 8 months. The Carignan barrel was not topped up which exposed it to some oxygen. The 3 wines were blended together and bottled with no fining, filtration or added sulphur. 

This Wine: Natural red wine with more of a lighter and juicier style that the usual wines from La Voluta. The result of a wet ripening season and forced early harvest. Red cherry and blackcurrants combine with delicate spice and fresh acidity. Some roundness is provided by the oxidative Carignan juice, so not a glou glou wine by any means. Only 2000 bottles made.

Notes on the Winemaker: La Voluta is the natural wine project of Jean Benoit Vivequain and Anna Rubio who now reside in the village of Cucugnan after meeting on the other side of the world in New Zealand where they were both learning about winemaking. They focus on old-vine Grenache Noir which is indigenous to the wild and rugged terrain between Cucugnan and Maury. The wines are deep and complex, often with some darker elements as JB enjoys playing with oxidation. No cuvée is ever made twice which keeps Anna busy as she makes all of the labels.

Find out why we have picked these wines to pair with The Art of Joy on the night or in our guide. We can’t wait to dip in and discuss with you.