We’re celebrating Women’s History Month by honoring this year’s theme, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” From poetry to Scotch, the contributions of women in literature and hooch are abundant. They’ve made an impact that spans the length of time in masterful, bold, and elegant ways. We’d like to show our gratitude with pairings of books and booze that showcase the impact of women in the world. 

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
Ployez-Jacquemart Marie Weiss Brut Champagne NV

Edwin St. Andrew crosses the Atlantic by steamship, eventually finding himself spellbound by the beauty of the Canadian wilderness, where he hears the notes of a violin echoing in an airship terminal. Two centuries later, Olive Llewellyn is on a book tour on Earth for her best-selling pandemic novel. Within lies a strange passage: a man plays his violin for change in the echoing corridor of an airship terminal as the trees of a forest rise around him. Elsewhere, Detective Roberts investigates an anomaly in the North American wilderness, where he uncovers a series of lives upended. This book could only be paired with third-generation winemaker, Laurence Ployez’s second label, Marie Weiss. The bubbly is creamy with notes of spice, white tea, rose, crushed white cherry, and candied lemon zest. 

High Ground Coward by Alicia Mountain
Buccia Nera Pa'Ro Toscana Rosso 2019

Alicia Mountain’s urgent and astonishing debut collection maps a new queer landscape through terrain alive and sensual, defiant and inviting. Bearing witness to identity formation in solitude and communion, High Ground Coward is an almanac of emotional and relational seasons. Mountain’s speakers question the meaning of inheritance, illness, violence, mythology, and family architecture. A collection of poems that speak volumes can only be paired with a wine that is rich in history like the Buccia Nera Pa’Ro Toscana Rosso 2019. Helmed by three sisters, this wine is dedicated to their parents and showcases complex notes of plum, dark berries, fennel, coffee, and subtle spice. (Pro tip: if you like what you read, and we're sure you will, don't forget to check out Mountain's newest release, Four In Hand, set to drop THIS WEEK. Bubbling with electric prose, we recommend another Buccia Nera fave, Confondo Rosato 2020, a  lightly sparkling red is made from 100% organically farmed Ciliegiolo. On the nose, hints of fresh baked bread, followed by aromas of cherry, wild strawberry, white currants and rose petals.)

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
Day Wines Hock & Deuce Syrah 2019

The only mortal in a family of gods, Medusa is the youngest of the Gorgon sisters. Unlike her siblings, Medusa grows older, experiences change, and feels weakness. Her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know. When the sea god Poseidon assaults Medusa in Athene’s temple, the goddess is enraged. Furious by the violation of her sacred space, Athene takes revenge—on the young woman. Cursed with the power to destroy all she loves with one look, Medusa condemns herself to a life of solitude. Until Perseus embarks upon a fateful quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon. A passionate and witty retelling of a classic myth, this book could only be paired with a wine full of incredible character like Day Wines Hock & Deuce Syrah 2019. An organic blend of Syrah and Viognier, this wine has lush notes of plum, cassis, and blackberry, with hints of leather and spice. 

Scorched Grace by Margot Douaihy
Glendronach Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey

When Saint Sebastian's School becomes the target of a shocking arson spree, the Sisters of the Sublime Blood and their surrounding community are thrust into chaos. Unsatisfied with the officials' response, sardonic and headstrong Sister Holiday – a chain-smoking, heavily tattooed, queer nun – becomes determined to unveil the mysterious attacker herself and return her home and sanctuary to its former peace. Her investigation leads down a twisty path of suspicion and secrets in the sticky, oppressive New Orleans heat, turning her against colleagues, students, and even fellow Sisters along the way. As you sleuth away alongside Sister Holiday, sip on this delicious Single Malt that master blender, Rachel Barrie, pours her passion and expertise into. Aged for 12 years in sherry casks, this Scotch is rich and creamy with notes of berries, dried raisins, baking spice, and vanilla.