October 2019 Reading & Tasting

Book

October is for dark thrillers. That's why we'll be reading My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite. The story centers around two sisters in Nigeria, Korede and Ayoola. Ayoola has a murderous history, killing three of her previous boyfriends (which she says was in self-defense), and Korede has been there each time to help her hide the murders. Korede has been willing to stand by her sister's side, that is, until Ayoola starts dating the doctor Korede has feelings for at her work.

Wine

Nigeria doesn't produce much of its own wine, but it does import quite a bit. 71 percent of which is imported from Spain. So to pair with our Nigeria-based book, we will be drinking one of the most popular grapes from Spain, Tempranillo. This grape variety is usually bold and tannic, but low in acidity, to keep its smoothness. Most Tempranillos will carry notes of cherry, plum, dried fig, tobacco, leather, and cedar. When blind tasting Spanish wine like Tempranillo, the notes that give it away for me is the slight hint of coconut and dill, which comes from the American Oak the wine is aged in. Can't wait to taste!