I wanted to continue my Books & Bottles series with Part Three, featuring some of the books I've read in 2026 paired with a few Italian wines. It felt fitting to make this edition all about Italy, since this summer has been spent learning about wine here.
Barolo & Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Barolo is a rich, tannic wine made from Nebbiolo grapes in northern Italy. With intense aromas of tar, roses, and cherry, it is a wine known for its incredible ageing potential. For a Barolo Riserva, the wine must be aged for at least five years before it can be released.
To appeal to international drinkers who preferred fruitier wines, some producers shortened fermentation and aged the wine in new French oak barrels to soften its structure. Traditionalists, however, have always preferred the classic style of Barolo, leading to what became known as the Barolo Wars.
That tension between tradition and taking shortcuts is exactly why I think Yesteryear is such a great pairing for this wine. It is a dark story about a tradwife whose pursuit of the perfect life goes too far. Much like Barolo, it is bold, uncompromising, and not always easy to digest. It also serves as a reminder that trying to force something into an easier or more appealing version does not always lead to the best result.
Valpolicella Ripasso & The Infinity between Us by N.S. Perkins
Valpolicella Ripasso is an Italian wine produced in the Verona region in northeastern Italy. It is mainly made from Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella grapes, with smaller amounts of other grape varietals sometimes included.
What makes Valpolicella Ripasso interesting is the production method. Ripasso means “re-passed,” referring to the way the wine is passed over the leftover dried grape skins and seeds from Amarone, which is made from the same grape varieties. The first fermentation takes place in the autumn, and then in the winter the wine is “re-passed” through those Amarone skins. Because the skins still contain some sugar and flavour compounds, a second fermentation begins, adding more color, tannin, richness, and complexity to the wine.
I paired this wine with The Infinity Between Us because it is a bright summer romance centered around second chances. The story follows childhood friends who fall for each other in the past and reconnect five years later, giving their relationship another opportunity to grow. The Ripasso method, where the wine essentially gets a second pass to gain extra depth and character, felt like the perfect parallel to a love story built on a second chance.
Soave & The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
Soave is another wine from northeastern Italy, produced in the Veneto region. The Garganega grape must make up at least 70% of the blend, while the remaining 30% can include Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, and Trebbiano di Soave.
Soave has an interesting history. It was once compared to Chardonnay, then later to Pinot Grigio, but today the focus has shifted to celebrating the Garganega grape for its own unique character. Most Soave wines are light-bodied, fresh, and full of citrus and stone fruit flavours. Higher quality bottles also have excellent ageing potential, developing notes of marmalade, honey, and beeswax over time.
I paired The Five-Star Weekend with Soave because, like the wine, there is more beneath the surface than first meets the eye. At first, it seems light, elegant, and perfect for summer, but as the story unfolds it reveals grief, complicated friendships, family secrets, and healing. The novel follows a successful food blogger who, after the tragic loss of her husband, invites one close friend from each stage of her life to a luxurious weekend at her Nantucket home. What begins as an elegant getaway slowly uncovers long-held secrets and ultimately becomes a story about finding yourself again.
Vin Santo & The Summer of Broken Rules by K. L. Walther
Vin Santo is a Tuscan dessert wine known for its rich sweetness and hazelnut complexity. It is traditionally made from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes that are dried before fermentation and then aged. While there are several styles of Vin Santo, I wanted to focus on the classic sweet version that is traditionally served after dinner with biscotti.
With flavours of honey, dried apricot, hazelnut, and caramel, it is the perfect wine to finish a meal. Despite its sweetness, what always surprises me about Vin Santo is how balanced it is. It has a delicate elegance while still delivering plenty of flavour.
I wanted to end these pairings with something sweet, so I chose The Summer of Broken Rules. Set during a family wedding on Martha's Vineyard, the story follows Meredith as she navigates grief after losing her sister while unexpectedly finding love. Like Vin Santo, it is comforting, nostalgic, and full of warmth. It is the kind of story that leaves you feeling happy, making it the perfect pairing for a glass of dessert wine at the end of the evening.
Book cover images are used for identification and review purposes.
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My favourite series!