In her new novel, Wine People, Michelle Wildgen introduces readers to Wren and Thessaly. The two women are passionate about wine — and passionate about their career ambitions. On staff at a small, well-respected, and male-dominated wine importer, what begins as friendly but determined competitiveness evolves into a partnership that will take them well beyond the bounds of their boutique springboard.
This novel is a story of female drive and friendship while also serving as a sublimely fun trip through the business of wine. As we learn about the gritty underside of all those tastings and all that wine, we also learn about the tolerance, taste, and travels that inevitably come into play. Wine People is to the bottle business what Sweetbitter was to restaurants. You’ll gobble it up and love every sweet and savory page.
Wine People
by Michelle Wildgen
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| Red wine pairing: Carignano del Sulcis Buio by Cantina Mesa | White wine pairing: Terrassen Grüner Veltliner by Markus Huber |
| On the cusp of the moment that serves as the primary stepping stone into her career, Thessaly takes an evening’s departure out of her ordinary life and finds a seat at the bar of a very fancy restaurant. Before long, she’s involved in a friendly conversation with the man who will be instrumental in helping her make this pivot. They share a Carignane from Sardinia, which brings us to our first on-point pairing: Cantina Mesa Carignano del Sulcis Buio. | During one particularly transformative moment in the developing friendship between Wren and Thessaly, Wren reaches for a bottle of Grüner Veltliner. She drinks the wine a little faster than she’d like, given the circumstances, but we recommend taking your time with this bottle of Terrassen Grüner Veltliner by Markus Huber. It’s crisp, a little salty, and leads with pepper and pear. |
Extra Veggie Minestrone Soup
From Dinnertime SOS by Amy Palanjian
When Thessaly returns home to Sonoma, following an accident that’s left a gap in the management of the family vineyard, she gets right to work. At the end of the long, strenuous days, her mother makes a summer minestrone. “Cauldrons” of the stuff. We’re bringing you an equally hearty vegetable-heavy minestrone from Amy Palanjian’s Dinnertime SOS.
INGREDIENTS
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STEPS
NOTES
STOVETOP VERSION In a large pot over high heat, bring the stock to a simmer. Add the pasta and cook for 8 minutes. Then add the butter, vegetables, marinara sauce, and beans and let simmer for 4 minutes, or until the veggies are soft. Season with salt. Serve as directed. |
| Recipe Copyright © 2023 by Palanjian Media, LLC. Photographs copyright © 2023 by Lauren Volo. |
Dinnertime SOS
by Amy Palanjian
This is a novel that we’ll take any excuse to spend more time with. Once you’ve finished, come back to some of the main points and moments with these questions for discussion — perfect for a book group or for your own contemplation.
Get the questions.
We asked author Michelle Wildgen to share with us her favorite part of the research that went into her writing:
“Visiting wineries in Italy. I got little details I wouldn’t have found without being there, like the Italian restaurateurs who bring jugs in a wagon to fill with vino rosso and vino bianco from a tap in the wall, or a truck with its own bottling line that arrived and set to work right outside the fields.”
Michelle on her favorite wines:
“For me, self-actualization took the form of realizing I can start any meal with a glass of champagne. I also love the Austrian varietal Grüner Veltliner for being crisp, changeable, and pairing with asparagus when little else does. I also love dry Rosé, citrusy whites, and lately have been obsessed with a Sicilian red called Perricone, which is bright and fruity but balanced.”
Try a Perricone.