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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 passed my level 2 certification (yes, the homework rocks). How wine tasting appeals to me is similar to how I feel about writing. After some research, I discovered there is 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.
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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 unlock videos, narratives, and histories about a wine 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 Napa Cabernet or dive into a captivating fantasy novel, take a moment to appreciate the shared essence of these two worlds, where sensory delights and imaginative tales intertwine. Cheers!
Leigh Goff I have three published young adult novels–KOUSH HOLLOW (2020), BEWITCHING HANNAH (2017), and DISENCHANTED (2015). I’m a graduate from the University of Maryland, and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).When I’m not writing, I love reading, running, and finding new inspiration for my writing. I’m a proud advocate for type one diabetes awareness (T1D) as a thriving individual with the condition.
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Leigh Goff 