Now before you start to think me an expert in all things vine-related, let me assure you that I’m a rookie at worst and a wine-lover at best. Years of sampling at our unofficial wine club has taught me that nothing is better than a fantastically expensive bottle of French Bordeaux, but in a pinch, when friends, laughter, and good food abound, a supermarket special is nothing to scoff at. Unless you are a sommelier, in which case, send me a bottle of the fancy stuff and we’ll talk.
The Moment Between is rich with imagery and symbols relating to wine and viticulture, and I’ve often thought that it should come with a tasting guide and a collection of recipes. So, with summer in the air and a grill close at hand, I’m going to take this opportunity to introduce you to a few of my favorite affordable wines and the foods that love them. Cheers! Salud! A votre sante…
Syrah/Shiraz
Called Syrah in France and Shiraz in Australia (with the rest of the world seemingly flip-flopping between), this full-bodied, powerful wine is spicy and bold. Its notes can range from earthy to peppery or smoky. Syrah is one of the only wines that can hold it’s own with an American staple: pizza. I like the Australian McWilliams Hanwood Estate Shiraz. Chill it for about ten minutes in the refrigerator before serving, and fire up the grill for homemade pizzas. I’m partial to Hawaiian with green peppers and pineapple seared on the grill before the pizza is assembled. End with homemade ice cream sandwiches. A nice, dark chocolate ice cream (or espresso!) goes great with a moody Shiraz.
Chardonnay-Viognier
This summery blend plays a memorable role in a scene from The Moment Between. It’s one of my favorite warm-weather wines because it’s smooth and clean, but not too sweet. The Chardonnay gives hints of butter and oak while the Viognier adds fruit and floral notes. I like the French Le Grand Noir Chardonnay-Viognier. It’s fruity but light and has a smooth, easy finish. Our go-to meal with this wine is shrimp alfredo on cappellini. Grilled asparagus with olive oil and sea salt adds a nice contrast, and strawberry pie is the perfect dessert.
Riesling
Some wine connoisseurs consider Riesling a lesser wine because it’s so very drinkable. It’s usually quite sweet and may be sparkling–the bubbles only make its flowery bouquet more fragrant. Riesling is a great place to start if you are uninitiated in wide world of wine. Serve it nice and cold. I like the German Josef Leitz Rüdesheimer Drachenstein “Dragonstone” Riesling. It has hints of honey and grapefruit and is perfect with a light, summer meal like grilled chicken kabobs with a plate of fresh crudités and cheese. No dessert needed! The wine is more than enough. But if you must, top some berries with chocolate and whipped cream. You’ll be a wine-lover for life.
-Nicole Baart
She is the mother of two young sons and the wife of a pastor. After the adoption of their infant son, Nicole discovered a deep passion for global issues and is a founding member of a non-profit organization that works with a church and orphanage in Liberia. After the Leaves Fall and the sequel, Summer Snow, were Nicole’s first books. Summer Snow is a 2009 Christy Award finalist for excellence in fiction. The Moment Between is her third book. The inspiration for Nicole’s next novel was an unsolved murder near her hometown. Her fourth book is set for release in 2010.
Nicole and her family live in Iowa.
- For one entry leave me a comment (please remember to leave me your email address too)
- For two entries tell me what your favorite wine is or if you’ve ever visited a vineyard.
- For three entries blog or tweet about this giveaway and spread the word about Nicole’s book.
Oh no – I can’t enter this one. Never mind – great interview. I know my red wines, not so good on the white wines. Just to answer your question about Water For Chocolate – my cover was paperback. I get the impression that the covers we get in England are completely different to the ones you get.
Oh, this sounds like a really different read I would love to have. I like merlot if I drink which isn’t much but did visit an interesting vineyard in Florida around Orlando but don’t remember the name. I was fascinated because I didn’t know they could have on in FL.
The book sounds wonderful and I would love to have.
Like your thoughts on wine and I am like you I like what I like and it is not always the expensive one.
My favorite wine at the moment (it changes over time but it is always a red wine) is Shiraz
Yes, I have visited several vineyards
beachlover20855ATyahooDOTcom
This looks great! Please enter me!
BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com
I tweeted about this!
http://twitter.com/BookingKitten22
BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com
I’m not a big wine drinker, but I do have a sparkling wine occasionally. No visits to a vineyard for me, but I’d love to go sometime!
BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com
I’d love a chance to win. I haven’t been that big on wine yet (haven’t acquired a taste yet), but I think with time I may like White Zin. It’s delicate and sweet. I’ve never gone to a vineyard, but we have one in this area that I’ve thought about visiting.
Ha! It is funny I should comment on a book and you just happen to be giving it away!
So… Please enter me – 3X. (I will blog about it on Mon.)
Well I just happen to live smack dab in the middle of NY Wine Country! I forget what a luxury it is and take it for granted. We do not ever go to the liqueur store. We just hop on over to any of the 50 wineries close by! I like White semi dry or rose’ and blush. I do not care for red wine. One of the Wineries here “Americana Winery” has a white with a hint of grapefruit that is outstanding!
OOOPPPSSS! Did it again forgot the email!
forevereading at gmail dot com
This sounds like an awesome book–please enter me!
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
Ok…I love my wines so this one is up my alley! Just as an fyi, the Shiraz is also very wonderful when paired with barbecued food. Another good pairing that I have discovered is Pinot Noir with Lasagnae. Oh that is just yummy! I personally prefer red wines to white wines, but my all-time favorite is Rosa Regale. This one is actually considered a champagne (and yes, champagne is considered to be a wine)so it should be chilled. This is a more expensive bottle from Italy, but well worth it for a special occasion.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
Count me in.
bjhopper(at)me(dot)com
Oh this sounds great! It’s weird because it’s not a book that I’d normally pick up. But I was drawn in by her love of wine and how she uses it in the book. I love wine but am not a connoisseur (can’t afford it) but I love a good wine. Usually my husband and I get Chilean wine but I started out loving Australian wine. I haven’t been to a vineyard or winery but I’d love to in the future.
Thanks for this great giveaway. I enjoyed the interview and this book would be the ultimate pleasure to read. I drink sparkling white wine and have not visited a winery. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks so much for hosting me, Dar! It’s been a pleasure hanging out at “Peeking Between the Pages” the last few days. You have an awesome blog and a great community of readers. I know I’ll be back.
For all of you lovely readers who don’t drink wine but would like to try it, you should be able to find a nice Reisling (Polka Dot or Castle) in your grocery store. So yummy and so perfect for this time of year!
I hope the sun is shining where you are.
Warmly,
Nicole
She is after my own heart! We are quite the wine lovers here in this house. We tend to drink the Sav. Blancs in the summer and the rich reds in the winter, and pinot noir all the time. My favorite specific wine is the Caymus vineyard that makes a ROCKIN’ Cab. For our 10th anniversary, my husband and I went to Napa/Sonoma for a week and hit over 40 vineyards. We go back every few years, and now hone in on the “appointment only” vineyards.
This sounds like a wonderful book. I’ve never been to a vineyard, but I do like to visit Conneaut Wine Cellars when we’re in the area. My favorites are mostly Merlots.
carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com
This sounds so good! Your praise definitely makes me want to read it. My favorite wine is a good cabernet although I’ve been enjoying some shiraz/syrah’s lately.
bookingmama(at)comcast(dot)net
No need to enter me, darling. I’m dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I’ve got this posted at Win a Book for you.
enter me in the drawing please!! i love nicole baart’s books. independentfae[at]yahoo[dot]com. Thanks!
I love wine and this book sounds wonderful! Before I had my son, my husband and I took a trip to San Francisco and we drove to Napa Valley. I couldn’t splurge in the wine but did have the sparkling wines without alcohol which were quite good. What a wonderful experience to see the beauty of wine country in CA. I enjoyed reading about Ms. Baart’s favorite wines and will be looking for them when I am wine shopping. My favorite is Riesling. I have to buy a big blue bottle, the name escapes me, every time I host my book club. It’s our signature wine. I really should know the name!
I’m adding this giveaway to my blog sidebar!
This book sounds great! I’d love to win!
Thanks
nancyrobster@gmail.com
I don’t really have a favourite win, but here on Vancouver Island we have a few lovely vineyards that we’ve visited!
Thanks
nancyrobster@gmail.com
Please enter me in this drawing. The book sounds like it would be a delightful read. Thanks! Indigo
ravensquietscreams@gmail.com
I live in NY and it was pure delight to be able to visit the wineries along the Finger Lakes region. My Favorite was Hazlitt 1852 Vineyard. I absolutely loved thier Red Cat Wine. My ex-husband and I used to order it by the case and give it away on the holidays.
Thanks! Indigo
ravensquietscreams@gmail.com
Sounds like a good read
KawaiiNeko2008 at aol dot com
This sounds like a wonderful book, I’d love to read it!
marielay@gmail.com
I don’t drink a lot of wine but I prefer a very sweet red wine usually — I know more about Port since my husband collects that 🙂
marielay@gmail.com
Sounds like a good read!
sarahbcrawford(at)gmail(dot)com
I don’t really drink, and I’m definitely not a wine aficionado at all, but in the past I remember liking Arbor Mist! I know wine connoisseurs will turn their noses up at me! haha
sarahbcrawford(at)gmail(dot)com
I know nothing about wine except 1 glass is my limit!!!!!
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
Well I dont drink so I dont have a favorite wine, but I’d still love a chance to read this book because it sounds like a good book and reminds me of my own sister.
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com
Great review and awesome guest post and giveaway! Definitely entering!
danunepthys(at)hotmail(dot)com
Nicole Baart’s “After the Leaves Fall” changed my life in numerous ways. Nicoel has an incredible gift with her words and I can’t wait to read “The Moment Between!”
And I’m new to the whole wine drinking thing, but do I love some Yellow Tail Chardonnay!
bsa05a@acu.edu
I’m so blown away by all the awesome comments that I have to say “hi” again. 🙂 Dar, I think you got more comments on this little post than I have on my entire blog (and it’s been up and running for two years!). Tee-hee. Can I post here again? 😉
Have a lovely weekend!
Nicole
My grandparents used to live in Sonoma, so I’ve visited a few wineries. The one I remember as being particularly pretty was Chandon in Napa Valley.
Thanks for the wine info! I’d love to win the book. Thanks!
Sararush (at) hotmail (dot) com
I’d love to read this book – please count me in!
Thanks,
megalon22 at yahoo dot com
I visited a winery in Ohio once. As for my favorite wine, I’d have to say a blush zinfandel.
megalon22 at yahoo dot com
What a unique and compelling novel. It is wonderful. When I do drink wine I drink a red wine that is sparkling and light. I have never visited a winery.
bencanada1(at)yahoo(dot)com
This sounds like a wonderful book – please count me in.
msboatgal at aol.com
Enter me please – this looks great.
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite wine is Tuscan Chianti! Vin Santo is my favorite dessert wine.
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
I liked this interview a lot. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!!
I have to say it’s refreshing to learn of an Iowa author. I’d love to read her book.
I don’t have a favorite wine but the ones my brother occasionally makes aren’t bad.
oo enter me please i’d love to win this!!
nicolemarielum @gmail.com
i have visited a vineyard and it was a pretty cool experience!! got to see how wine was made and got to stomp some grapes too!!
nicolemarielum @gmail.com
This book sounds awesome!
I like Merlot and Pinot Noir. I love champagne, when I have occasion for it!! Problem is, I don’t drink any very often. I pretty much have it when my husband does and sip off of his. I have less than 1/2 a glass of any alcohol and I’m under the table. LOL! The only exception is champagne, I will drink to the point of Bill having to help me to the car. I just love the stuff!
I blogged about your giveaway here:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/05/giveaways-galore_08.html
After reading your review I really want to read this one and so would love to be entered for a chance to win a copy, thanks!
Had a glass of Jost Maple Wine recently that was very nice! 🙂
I’ve posted this giveaway here.
wanda_waiting[@]hotmail[.]com
I would like to be entered.
jaam121388 at yahoo dot com
Nicole, thanks so much for popping in. I do hope you’ll come back often and you can comment here on this post as many times as you want-lol. It’s always great when the author takes the time to pop in.
Everyone else, I’m really enjoying reading about your wine choices and if you’ve visited vineyards or not. I don’t live so far away from some of them in BC so I really should go visit this summer.
This book sounds fantastic! I can’t afford expensive wines, but I’ve gotten pretty good at finding the less pricey but very good ones. My current favorite is Yellowtail’s Shiraz-Cabernet.
I also blogged about your giveaway:
http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/2009/05/guest-post-with-nicole-baart-author-of.html
nnjmom at yahoo dot com
I dont really like wine, unless it is cheep and fruity,sweetlike arbor mist. Sorry wine lovers. I would love to be entered in your drawing.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)verizon.net
Sounds like a great book.
In regards to wine, I’m not a drinker.
sharon54220@gmail.com
About two years ago I really started getting ‘into’ wines. Did all the research, kept a notebook and sampled many different varietals. My current favorite is the Shiraz, especially in cold winter months. For summer I like chardonnay. Thanks for entering me in your contest. I loved this post!
lisamos64@gmail.com
Please enter me in the giveaway
“Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
CoolCanucks.ca”
I have been to a vineyard twice. The first time was when I was on the island of Rhodes in Greece, we did the tour thing and ended up with a busload of Brit’s. It was one of the best days I had on the island. I have also been to a vineyard in Finger Lakes in New York State. Went to visit my ex boyfriend’s family and they brought us there.
“Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
CoolCanucks.ca”
This sounds like a fun read!
I’d visited the Moet Chandon vineyard in France with a friend and some business colleagues. It was great fun!
I’m posting a link to this contest on my blog’s sidebar.
Thanks!
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
http://www.startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com
Sounds great. Please enter me!!!!!
Please Please Pretty Please.
Beckie
loki304[at]tds[dot]net
Sounds good… Please sign me up!
My fav. wine is pink pino, and I have been to quite a few wineries in upstate NY.
superfriek2002@yahoo.com
I’m eager to get my hands on this newest book. Baart’s first two books I couldn’t put down and found myself up until all hours of the night. As far as my favorite wine, Boone’s Farm after its been in the freezer for two hours, take it out, open it up and you have a great slushie!
I would love to be entered! 😀
I don’t know the name of my favorite type of wine, since I was in France and a Frenchmen bought it for me. 😉
lovejessicamarie [@] gmail [.] com
I’d love to read this!
I don’t drink wine or anything actually so I don’t have a favorite. 🙁
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/quelleheure4/status/1787273492
Sounds like a great read! I would love to be entered! thanks jacquecurl1@gmail.com
I loved this guest post! Please enter me.
My favorite wine, right now, is Traverse City Cherry Reisling.
I also blogged about this in my right sidebar at:
http://janelsjumble.blogspot.com
If I had to pick a fav wine, It would be apple from strawberry hill. I know its a real cheap wine.lol jacquecurl1@gmail.com
2# entry strawberry hill apple wine. jacquecurl1@gmail.com
Please enter my name in the drawing. I’ve never been to a winery but I do enjoy the fruit wines from Door Pennisula Winery in Wisconsin. Its not sold here but I order it from time to time.
When I don’t have that I like a very inexpensive wine that’s made by Asti Spumante.
I’d love to be entered! You know, I’m still waiting to find a wine I like. I posted about his in my sidebar.
–Anna
diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com
Diary of an Eccentric
Thanks for the giveaway!
kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
My favorite wine is Pinot Noir (never Merlot –hey I watched Sideways).
Thanks for the giveaway!
kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
Would love to be entered– thanks!
I also blogged about your contest here.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
I would like to read this book. It is about a subject I don’t know much about and sounds like a unique setting for a book. I have been to a few vineyards, I don’t know much about wines but I like the blush wines. Most reds are too strong for me. Thanks for entering me in the drawing.
Tobi
tokemise@hotmail.com
Would love to read this! I’ve read Nicole’s other 2 books and can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this one!
Well I love wine and I love dramas about family, so this sounds right up my alley. Thanks so much for offering this book.
pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net
Please enter me, thank you!
booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway-when I was in France I visited vinyards in the Colmar countryside area. The area was beautiful-everything that you would expect it to be.
Enjoying your blog, and would love to be entered in your giveaway for Nicole Baart’s book. It looks really good and I enjoyed the interview.
Thank you,
SandyG
Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com
We have visited several wineries in the Napa valley and in NC at Ashville they make their own wine and we went to the tasting room. Robert Mondavi riesling is one of my favs. Funny that Bingo mentioned the FL winery, we have driven past that so many time and have never been there.
I am a follower
florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com
I’d like to read her book – sounds interesting.
I’ve never visited a vineyard but have gone to a brewery.
Wine – Merlot.
clenna@aol.com
I’d love to be entered.I’ve never been to a vineyard thought.
lovinfitch@aol.com
Please enter me for this giveaway. I’d love to have this book. I enjoy books about winerys and history of wine. I can’t drink it anymore because of medication. So I can at least read about it. Thank you.
makeupgirl21@comcast.net
I’d love to win this book. lelou2@ymail.com
Tweeted HERE
I don’t drink wine much but Merlot has a great flavor! I’ve never been to a winery but there is one about an hours drive from my home that I’ve been meaning to visit.