Wine Not Read? An Evening With The St Andrews Wine Company Book Club

There are few occasions in St Andrews where undergraduate students like me find themselves surrounded solely by adults (one of them being my landlord). Luckily, this wasn’t a disciplinary hearing — I had been invited to join the St Andrews Wine Company Book Club for an evening.

Held every second Tuesday at 7pm, the club offers a roundtable discussion centred on tasteful pairings of wine and books of all genres (except for horror, which is banned). After the discussion hour, participants are invited to stay for an unguided wine tasting with a preview of bottles the St Andrews Wine Company is considering for their shelves. 

A former Master's student here at St Andrews, Miller Cornelius started the club in February 2024 looking for motivation to read more books. Seven months and eight books later, the book club is her passion project, drawing loyal regulars and newcomers alike.  

The evening I attended, we discussed Stanley Tucci’s Taste: My Life Through Food, an unconventional memoir through recipes. I was immediately charmed by the humour of the pre-millennial group. One member expressed disappointment at the lack of low-carb recipes Tucci shared, asking, “How do he and his wife stay so slim?” There was also extensive discussion over when Tucci became famous in the UK — “Did anyone really know him before [his] COVID cocktail hour?” — and whether he intentionally confused Christmas and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Yet, beyond the hilarity, the group explored profound themes, such as taste and smell as a component of memory, the connection between food and immigration, and the social significance of sharing a meal. 

Cornelius paired a white wine with Taste, Le Morette Lugana Mandarola, much to the delight of her fellow club members. She chose it based on Tucci’s Italian heritage and to spotlight a unique region: Lugana on Lake Garda. “The region needs exposure to the wine-drinking world as vineyard land continues to be transitioned for industrialised uses such as railroads,” Cornelius explained. Her choice did not disappoint. As a red wine adherent myself, I fully agreed when another member said, “I don’t like white, but I like this!” If more of Lugana falls to railroads, there’s a good chance the book club may revolt.

November’s book will be The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, a ‘spooky’ novel just in time for Halloween, paired with Zephyr’s Gewürztraminer. Those interested in attending the next session can buy their copy at Topping’s for fifteen per cent off on the paired wine (bring the receipt!) and sip while they flip. Although the club is free, the space is small, meaning attendees must notify the shop in advance if they plan to participate. Anyone searching for free wine, amusing conversation, or new book recommendations will find that the St Andrews Wine Company Book Club is the perfect pair. 

Photo: St Andrews Wine Company