Matching books to wine

With autumn just around the corner it's time to begin accumulating that stack of books to read as the nights get colder. Of course, wine should always be at hand too - her are some picks matched to genre.

Chick Lit/Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris - Nice and light, zesty and fruity, and of course a bit of fun. All these descriptors could apply equally well to the book genre or the wine. Enjoy chilled with a deck chair or curled up on the couch and indulge your imagination.

Historic Novels/Burgundy - Books of this variety need to be read with something old with a bit of history, and as most historical novels seem to be about European royalty, a bottle of something French seems appropriate. Failing that, simply locate something old to get you into the right frame of mind for the era you will be slipping into.

Autobiography/biography/Chardonnay - These are the books you can really get your teeth into, so you need a good robust wine to match. A wine of the people such as this will have you stepping into the shoes of the author in no time.

Airport Novels/Bubbly - Something simple, uplifting and purchased in a hurry goes well with a nice bottle of inexpensive bubbly. To get into the swing of things even more you could purchase miniature bottles and drink out of plastic glasses just like they do on the plane.

Science-Fiction/experimental variety - A new edgy variety would go well here, whether it's a blended white, peripheral red, or at least something ‘foreign' that qualifies as a bit weird. Drinking this will help aid the suspension of belief.

Modern Literature/Pinot Noir - High brow books need a posh wine to match and what better wine than the enigmatic Pinot Noir? Good to swirl and sniff as you ponder the various motifs and metaphors at play on the page.

War Annuals/War History - Port or Whisky, which is to be drunk in a comfortable leather chair as you get to the root of the world's problems.

Lesley Reidy is an owner of online wine retailer www.winefairy.co.nz

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