Category Archives: Boozy Book Review

Boozy Book Review: Wine Girl by Victoria James 🍷📖

When I first saw this book I thought it might be an easy, breezy trip through wine world. From the first chapter, it’s clear that this is a tenacious, and unforgettable journey.

In Wine Girl, Victoria James shines a graphic spotlight on her struggles rising through the ranks from greasy-spoon diners to Michelin- starred restaurants. Becoming America’s youngest sommelier was not an easy climb. James is remarkably honest about her chaotic early life, her struggles with addiction, and her unwavering determination to carve a place for herself in the world of wine. Incremental wins for her are everything. And they speak to the power of not giving up, even with some scorched hope along the way.

James pulls no punches about life in the wine industry. She paints an honest picture of the rampant misogyny, racism and abuse, not only from entitled guests but many in power positions within the worlds of hospitality, and wine. It can be a harrowing read at times. But it’s an important journey to share. There is light at the end of her story.

Because of her experiences, James co-founded Wine Empowered, with Cynthia Cheng and Amy Zhou. This non-profit provides free wine education, and support of leadership careers in wine world for minorities and women, as well as promoting safe work environments for all.

This is a significant book for everyone, especially those working in and around the world of wine and hospitality.

Cheers!🍷📖

©️Copyright. The Wine Student. 2023

Boozy Book Review: Bunny by Mona Awad🐰

Bunny is not a book about Easter. Not even close. And it’s not really a story about wine (but there is a wine cocktail reference so, in that sense, it fits nicely into my boozy book review standards). Bunny is a tale of dark academia and the power of loneliness and imagination.

Brief synopsis: Samantha Mackey is an MFA grad student at a prestigious New England college. She has absolutely nothing in common with her privileged writing seminar group who all hug, and express their undying love to each other as they squeal ‘BUNNY!!!’ whenever they meet.

One day, Samantha gets a random invitation to the bunnies’ conclave called ‘Smut Salon’. Well, who wouldn’t be just a little bit curious? On the surface, everything in bunny life is pink mini-cupcakes, fluffy party dresses and mind-altering cocktails. What lies beneath is much more sinister. Or… is it?

The book shines a flashlight on the often fine line between what is and isn’t real. It explores how easily one can fall down a rabbit hole of imagination, while asking the question, “I wonder what those perfect lives must be like?” We accompany Samantha as she enters into this glitter frosted world of privilege, only to find a sordid, inky-dark underbelly. Mona Awad does a deft job of subtly erasing the line between reality and fantasy, and often I found myself asking, “Did that really just happen?”

The cocktail in the book is a French 75 – it’s typically made with gin but I’m not a fan so switched it to vodka. Since a secondary theme includes mini-cupcakes (and one of the characters is nick-named Cupcake), why not add some pink sparkles to the mix?

What was my pick? Cupcake Rosé!

French 75 (w/ vodka)

•1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

•1/2 oz simple syrup

•1 oz vodka (if you don’t like gin)

•4 oz pink Champagne or sparkling wine

•splash grenadine (optional)

•garnish: lemon ribbon twist, sugar rim

Hoppy reading! 🐰 (ok, bad pun, everybody drink!)

©️Copyright. The Wine Student. 2023.

Boozy Book Review: The Widow Clicquot by Tilar J. Mazzeo🍾🥂

Perseverance, passion and steely determination.

That’s what it means to be a woman in any generation. To honor International Women’s Day, I wanted to explore more about the life of the Widow Clicquot, the most famous of the champagne widows.

A daughter of privilege, Barbe-Nicole Ponsant was expected to live an ornamental existence, yet her life was anything but. Married at age 21 to François Clicquot, then widowed at 27, she continued the wine passion project she and her husband started when they first married. Over time, she immersed herself in the art and science of winemaking, keeping a watch on all aspects from the vineyard to the cellar, to blending and aging the wine, and finally managing the business of champagne both in France and beyond. This was not an easy task in a male dominated industry. She had to work twice as hard to be recognized for her ingenuity and business acumen. Does this sound familiar?

While she did not adore the emperor Napoleon himself, nor many of his policies, under Napoleonic code, widows could assume prominent trade roles within business. Barbe-Nicole was able to use this to her advantage. But the road to prosperity wasn’t as easy as popping a cork. Lean times through the wars created an environment of doubt and anxiety at every turn. International trade embargoes imposed by the British left the first shipments languishing in Amsterdam warehouses, where fluctuating temperatures could ruin the wine. Further restraints against Champagne leveraged by Russia and other countries made international dealings difficult and dangerous.

But she pressed on.

The Year of the Comet Vintage in 1811 proved the stars were aligned to create one the best growing seasons in the Champagne’s history. Conditions were perfect from bud to harvest. Sugar levels that produced both alcohol and bubbles occurred naturally in this vintage. The only thing stopping her was fate. War was raging and threatening to ravage her business.

During this time she bottled her wines, and had the foresight to have the cellar bricked up to seal this vintage from pillagers. This had the added effect of allowing the wine to rest on the lees (the yeast) for longer than usual, creating a spectacularly beautiful, flavorful, and potent sparkler. Her 1811 comet cuvée made her an international celebrity, pushing Moët, who had the largess of the Russian markets, back a few spaces.

Prior to the lifting of international embargoes, she gambled by securing passage of her wines into Russia well before her competitors – a move that could have potentially ruined her, but payed off.

“I didn’t have any hope of doing anything [and] the advance of the Russians over the Rhine was the last straw. And now, out of all the misfortunes came the good business I have had, and I dare to hope for more. We can’t always be unlucky, in my experience. And so, my dear friend: courage, patience, and resignation.”

Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsant

Mazzeo paints a rich, sweeping story from documentation, supposition, and anecdotal reportage. There’s much that she assumes the widow Clicquot must have felt and seen. But this works to create an intriguing tale. This is an engaging and fascinating read about the First Lady of Champagne, and what it means to persevere against all odds.💪🍾

Cheers! 🥂

©️Copyright. The Wine Student. 2023

Boozy Book Review: Red, White, and Drunk All Over by Natalie MacLean 📖🍷

From vineyard to table, and everywhere in between, Canadian wine writer Natalie MacLean has seen, done, and drunk it all. On a summer trip to Muskoka, ON, last year, I was looking for my next great dock read. I found this book nestled amongst the shelves at The Owl Pen vintage book store in Bracebridge.

Published in 2006, Red, White, and Drunk All Over takes the reader along on MacLean’s journey discovering the earthy mysteries of the wines of Burgundy in France, helping collect zinfandel grapes in Sonoma Valley, California, working as a novice sommelier, learning how to sell wine at two bi-coastal retail shops, and much more. Along with the wine, it’s the people she meets that make the stories so fascinating. With each experience, MacLean takes us beyond the glass, and deep into the intriguing world of wine. Every new adventure teaches us so much about all aspects of wine; from soil to the grapes, harvest to the cellar, bottle to the glass, first sip to the buzz. Her descriptions are delicious.

With honesty and humour, MacLean illuminates how intimidating wine world can be, even for an accomplished expert. And she keeps it real by reiterating how, with perseverance, and taking a deep breath or two, one can find their groove and truly enjoy the ride.

This is a wonderfully accessible book for anyone interested in wine world; from seasoned oenophile to novice wine enthusiast. It’s a fun and informative read; an excellent reference for those just beginning a career in wine. It would be cool if it was required reading for college wine courses.

I think this quote honestly sums up what attracts many of us to wine,

“But I have to confess, much as I’m drawn to its nuances, I wouldn’t be writing about wine if it weren’t for the buzz. I love the way a glass of wine makes me feel – invigorated and animated, released from my natural shyness. After a couple of glasses, I’m mellow, soothed, contemplative.” Yup.

Good news: You don’t have to make a trek to Muskoka to find this book. Here’s the link.

Note: the cover art may be different than mine. 😉

Cheers!🍷

©️Copyright, The Wine Student, 2023.