Wine tasting and writing fiction may seem like two very different realms, but when you look closer, you’ll see that they share intriguing similarities. Both experiences involve sensory exploration and the art of storytelling.
I recently began a journey into wine tasting and am now studying for my level 2 certification (yes, the homework rocks). How wine tasting appeals to me was similar to how I feel about writing. After some research, I discovered there was a connection. Just as a wine taster engages their senses to explore the intricacies of a wine, a fiction writer harnesses the power of sensory details to bring their story to life.
A highly skilled winemaker tends to the grapes and the winemaking process to produce a wine like a Napa Cabernet that boasts flavors of ripe blackberries, velvety dark chocolate with subtle hints of cedar, culminating in a full-bodied magical experience on the palate. When I craft a story, I construct compelling plots, drawing on my sensory experiences to enhance them and then refine the work through editing and revision. In my first novel, Disenchanted, the story I created was filled with sensory details. I wanted to immerse the reader in the magic of Sophie’s world, her star-crossed romance, and the haunting history of Old Wethersfield.
Some writers through the centuries, such as Jane Austen, were known to imbibe on too much wine. Research from the University of Graz shows that drinking wine enhances creative thinking for writers. Of course, it does! Now winemakers are harnessing the art of storytelling to enhance their connection with consumers. Using a new phone app called Winerytale, the user can read the story about a wine of their choice and learn about the winemakers.
While wine tasting and writing fiction may seem unrelated, the parallels are undeniable. Both pursuits involve sensory exploration, layered complexity, subjective interpretation, storytelling, and a blend of artistry and craftsmanship. The next time you savor a glass of wine or dive into a captivating novel, take a moment to appreciate the shared essence of these two worlds, where sensory delights and imaginative tales intertwine. Cheers!
represented by Lauren Bittrich at Lucinda Literary. She has three published novels, DISENCHANTED (2015), BEWITCHING HANNAH (2017), and KOUSH HOLLOW (2020). She is also a member of SCBWI and a graduate from the University of Maryland.
July 18, 2023 at 10:56 am
OMG! You had me at wine with this post, Leigh! You’re going to have so much fun delving into both worlds, my magical friend. Think of the stories you’ll create! Wink. Cheers, and have a glass for me!
July 18, 2023 at 11:13 am
Thanks, lovely! I’m trying to figure out how to incorporate wine tasting into YA-might have to segue into adult fiction for that! Cheers!🍷😘
July 18, 2023 at 2:06 pm
Unless the YA character lives on a vineyard 😉🥂 You could pull that off. Perhaps it once was a sacred place where witches met? 🧙♀️🧹
July 18, 2023 at 2:10 pm
I love it!
July 18, 2023 at 7:46 pm
Fascinating about the sensory relationship between wine and writing! Great article, Leigh!
July 18, 2023 at 7:51 pm
Thanks, Alicia! And cheers 🍷😘
September 4, 2023 at 1:17 am
Wonderfully written 🥂