Novel Wine Pairing
Debut author Merrill Hatlen is combining his book tour with visits to sustainable Oregon wineries which have offered to host a book signing, including Youngberg Hill in McMinnville. His novel, The Bard & The Barman: An Account of Shakespeare’s Lost Years, contains references to wine: (1) legend has it that a key character, Henri IV of France, had garlic rubbed on his lips when he was born, along with drops of Jurançon wine; (2) Cervantes’ (imaginary) letter to Shakespeare which ends with the adage, in vino veritas.
As the author notes, “Although the barman portrays the Bard as a beer drinker, it seems likely that Shakespeare would have tasted wine when he arrived in France to live with his Huguenot relatives near Bergerac. In that respect, he would have been exposed to local wines brought to France by the Romans, including red, white (dry, medium-sweet and sweet) and rosé wines, so who knows what his preferences were. In view of the pivotal role that the character of Rose plays in the story, rosé might be more appropriate to accompany my book. However, in view of Rose’s dark side, the shadow cast on Henri IV by repeated assassination attempts, and Shakespeare’s remarkable ability to pair comedy with tragedy, I recommend that readers accompany my novel with pinot noir. Or a mixed case, a different wine for each chapter.”
The Bard said it best:
Good company, good wine, good welcome can make good people.
Henry VIII, Act 1 Scene 4