Authors And Wine

Authors And Wine

Alcohol has long been thought to boost creativity and help stimulate new ideas. A new scientific study called Consciousness and Cognition has actually proven that this theory is true. They found moderate intoxication can improve problem solving and lead to sudden insights. It’s no wonder that many writers, artists, and other creatives have long been linked with alcohol. 

Writers are often especially known for having a strong connection to alcohol, although for some this connection was a bit too strong. And for many of these writers, wine was their beverage of choice. Wine was often included as part of the writing process and even made its way into the writing. Here is a look at a few famous writers and their connection to wine.  

Charles Baudelaire

Charles Baudelaire was a French poet famous for his affinity towards sex, medications, wine, and other human indulgences. He has been held up as an archetypal image that is called ‘decadent dandy,’—an image that has survived until the present. Within the world of Baudelaire, wine is an important subject in his process of artistic creation.

Maybe the modernist pressure is the way to clarify Baudelaire’s veneration of wine. The French artist believed that human problems begin with the flesh and then, it ultimately goes onto the supernatural or metaphysical level. In a similar manner, the wine starts from sweat and misery, and yet it offers profound delight. It delights the senses of the drinkers, and it lifts their characteristics and permits a full articulation of their true capacity. In fact, if you want to establish a bridge between the spiritual and material levels, according to Baudelaire, you need to embrace the spirit of wine.

Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath is another renowned author who has a very inextricable connection with the wine. She was an American writer most popular for her verse assortments and semi-self-portraying novels such as The Bell Jar. Her work managed various mixed subjects including personal confession, death, nature, and so on. She is considered by many to be a trailblazer of confessional poetry. Plath experienced clinical despondency all through her life and in 1963 she committed suicide.

Sylvia Plath expounded regularly on drinking, both in her writing and her diaries, explicitly referencing her affection for sherry. Besides conceding that she partook in a “huge measure of it” every so often, she additionally waxed expressive with regards to the wine. She loved drinking wine as it used to give her the true sensation of erotic-tinged, bliss, luxury, and indulgence. Likewise, she enjoyed the taste of wine with her companion and fellow writer, Anne Sexton.

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F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald, renowned for his classic novel “The Great Gatsby,” was an author whose personal and professional life was deeply intertwined with wine. His fondness for the beverage, particularly Champagne, was well-documented, both in his personal correspondence and in the pages of his novels and short stories.

Champagne, with its effervescence and association with celebration and luxury, was a favorite of Fitzgerald’s. It was more than just a preferred drink; it was a symbol that he used to great effect in his writing. In his works, Fitzgerald used Champagne as a literary device to encapsulate the spirit of the era he was portraying – the Roaring Twenties, also known as the Jazz Age. This was a time of economic prosperity, cultural dynamism, and social change in America, and Fitzgerald was its most eloquent chronicler.

In “The Great Gatsby,” for instance, Champagne flows freely at Jay Gatsby’s extravagant parties, mirroring the excess and opulence of the time. The characters, much like Fitzgerald himself, indulge in the sparkling wine, their consumption often leading to lowered inhibitions and heightened emotions. The Champagne serves as a metaphor for the intoxicating allure of wealth and status, as well as the carefree recklessness that characterized the era.

But Fitzgerald’s use of Champagne as a symbol extends beyond the mere representation of wealth and excess. It also underscores the fleeting nature of the era’s apparent prosperity. Just as the bubbles in a glass of Champagne quickly rise and burst, the glitz and glamour of the Jazz Age were destined to fade, giving way to the harsh realities of the Great Depression.

Fitzgerald’s personal relationship with Champagne was similarly complex. While he enjoyed the beverage and the sense of celebration it evoked, he also struggled with alcoholism throughout his life. This struggle, mirrored in his characters’ often problematic relationships with alcohol, adds a layer of poignancy to his Champagne-soaked narratives.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s relationship with wine, and Champagne in particular, was multifaceted. It was a source of personal enjoyment, a symbol of an era, and a tool for storytelling. His works provide a sparkling, if sometimes cautionary, toast to the Jazz Age, capturing the heady excitement and eventual disillusionment of a time like no other.

Edgar Allen Poe

Edgar Allan Poe, the celebrated American author known for his chilling tales of mystery and the macabre, had a complex and often troubled relationship with alcohol, including wine. His personal struggles with alcoholism are well-documented, and this struggle often seeped into his literary works, providing a dark undercurrent to his already haunting narratives.

Poe’s fascination with the intoxicating effects of wine is evident in his poem “The Vineyard.” This piece of literature is not just a simple ode to the pleasures of drinking; rather, it delves into the deeper, more psychological effects of alcohol. The poem explores the dual nature of wine, portraying it as both a source of inspiration and a destructive force.

In “The Vineyard,” Poe uses vivid and evocative language to describe the allure of wine. He speaks of the “purple light” of the wine and its ability to “drown the tension” of the mind, suggesting a sense of relief and escape that the drink provides. This mirrors Poe’s own reliance on alcohol as a form of self-medication, a way to cope with his personal demons and the hardships he faced in his life.

However, the poem also hints at the darker side of this intoxication. The vineyard, while a source of the coveted wine, is also described as a place of “wilderness,” perhaps symbolizing the chaos and disorder that excessive drinking can bring. This duality reflects Poe’s own experiences with alcohol, which, while initially providing relief and escape, ultimately led to personal ruin and contributed to his untimely death.

Poe’s “The Vineyard” is thus a testament to his complicated relationship with wine. It serves as a metaphor for his struggles with alcohol, capturing the allure and the danger of the drink. The poem, like much of Poe’s work, provides a haunting exploration of human frailty and the darker aspects of the human experience.

Edgar Allan Poe’s relationship with wine was as complex and nuanced as his literary works. His personal struggles with alcoholism were intricately woven into his narratives, providing a chilling commentary on the destructive power of addiction. His poem “The Vineyard” stands as a poignant testament to this struggle, capturing the intoxicating allure of wine and the devastating consequences of its abuse.

James Joyce

James Joyce, the acclaimed Irish author best known for his groundbreaking novel “Ulysses,” had a distinctive way of using wine as a potent symbol in his literary works. His characters are often found drinking wine, a reflection not only of the social and cultural norms of his time but also a deeper commentary on the human condition.

In Joyce’s works, wine is more than just a beverage; it’s a narrative device that serves multiple symbolic functions. On one level, the act of drinking wine is used to depict the social customs and rituals of early 20th-century Dublin. The characters in his stories, whether they’re engaging in casual conversation in a pub or attending a formal dinner, often do so with a glass of wine in hand. This not only adds a layer of realism to his narratives but also provides a window into the social dynamics of the period.

However, Joyce’s use of wine goes beyond mere social commentary. He often uses it as a symbol to explore deeper themes such as identity, religion, and existential angst. For instance, in “Ulysses,” the protagonist Leopold Bloom’s reflections on wine reveal his inner thoughts and anxieties, providing insights into his character.

Moreover, wine in Joyce’s works often serves as a catalyst for introspection and revelation. Characters under the influence of wine tend to reveal their true selves, their inhibitions lowered and their emotions heightened. This use of wine as a truth serum of sorts allows Joyce to delve into the complexities of human nature.

Joyce also uses wine to draw parallels with religious themes, particularly the Catholic ritual of the Eucharist, where wine symbolizes the blood of Christ. This religious symbolism adds a layer of depth and complexity to his narratives, further demonstrating his mastery of the literary craft.

James Joyce’s use of wine in his works is multifaceted and richly symbolic. It serves as a mirror reflecting the social and cultural norms of his time, a tool for character development and narrative progression, and a symbol laden with deeper existential and religious meanings. Through the simple act of wine drinking, Joyce manages to explore the complexities of human nature and the intricacies of the world around him.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson, the esteemed Scottish author best known for his adventure novel “Treasure Island,” had a profound appreciation for wine. This appreciation was so deep that he dedicated an entire book to it, titled “The Silverado Squatters.” In this work, Stevenson chronicles his experiences in Napa Valley, one of the world’s premier wine regions, and provides his insights into the art and culture of winemaking.

“The Silverado Squatters” is more than just a travelogue; it’s a love letter to the world of wine. Stevenson, along with his wife Fanny, spent their honeymoon in Napa Valley in 1880. During their stay, they squatted in an abandoned mining camp on the slopes of Mount Saint Helena, hence the title of the book. From this unique vantage point, Stevenson observed and participated in the local wine culture, gaining a deep understanding of the complexities and nuances of winemaking.

Throughout the book, Stevenson paints a vivid picture of the vineyards, the winemaking process, and the people he encounters. He describes the vineyards as “a kind of ideal farm; a farm, a garden, and a park, so nicely adjusted and adorned by the hand of man, and so happily married to the beauties of nature.”

Stevenson’s fascination with wine is encapsulated in his famous quote, “Wine is bottled poetry.” This phrase beautifully captures his view of wine as more than just a beverage. To him, wine is a form of art, each bottle a unique expression of the land from which it comes and the skill and passion of the winemaker. It’s a sentiment that resonates with many wine lovers today, reflecting the deep emotional and sensory connection that wine can evoke.

In “The Silverado Squatters,” Stevenson also explores the potential of Napa Valley as a world-class wine region. He recognized the region’s unique terroir and believed that it could produce wines to rival those of the Old World. His predictions were remarkably prescient, as Napa Valley is now recognized as one of the world’s premier wine regions.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s “The Silverado Squatters” is a testament to his deep appreciation for wine. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the early days of Napa Valley’s wine industry and provides timeless insights into the art and culture of winemaking. Through his eloquent prose and keen observations, Stevenson shows us that wine, in its finest form, is indeed “bottled poetry.”

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou, the famous American poet, writer, and actress, whose best known work was her first autobiography entitled, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”, was an avid sherry drinker. Her unique writing process involved locking herself in a hotel room in the early morning with only a Bible, a thesaurus, a dictionary, a yellow pad, an ashtray, and a bottle of sherry.

Sherry is a unique, often forgotten style of wine that seems to pair perfectly with Maya Angelou’s trailblazing writing career. It seems fitting that she would choose a wine that is often overlooked in search of other more popular styles of wine. 

Isabel Allende

Isabel Allende, the acclaimed Chilean-American author known for her magical realist novels, has a deep connection with wine that is evident in her works. Born in Peru to Chilean parents, Allende’s Latin American heritage, where wine is a significant part of the culture, greatly influences her narratives. This is particularly evident in her novel “The Vineyard,” which is set in the renowned wine region of Napa Valley.

Allende’s incorporation of wine into her narratives serves multiple purposes. On a surface level, it adds a layer of authenticity and cultural specificity to her stories, grounding them in the realities of Latin American life where wine is often at the center of social gatherings and celebrations. It also serves as a symbol of the region’s rich history and tradition of winemaking, a testament to the skill and passion of its people.

In “The Vineyard,” Allende delves deeper into the world of wine. The novel is set in the picturesque landscape of Napa Valley, a region known for its premium wines. Through the eyes of her characters, Allende explores the intricacies of the winemaking process, from the cultivation of the vines to the fermentation of the grapes. She paints a vivid picture of the vineyard throughout the seasons, capturing the beauty and harshness of the land and the tireless work that goes into producing each bottle of wine.

But wine in Allende’s novel is more than just a backdrop; it’s a character in its own right. It influences the lives of the characters, shaping their destinies and driving the narrative forward. The vineyard itself becomes a symbol of heritage, identity, and the struggle between tradition and progress.

Moreover, Allende uses wine as a metaphor for life itself. Just as wine is produced through a process of growth, change, and maturation, so too are her characters shaped by their experiences and the passage of time. And just as each bottle of wine is unique, reflecting the specific conditions of its production, so too are individuals shaped by their unique circumstances and experiences.

Isabel Allende’s use of wine in her narratives is a reflection of her cultural heritage and a testament to her storytelling prowess. Whether she’s describing the sun-drenched vineyards of Napa Valley or the communal act of sharing a bottle of wine, Allende captures the essence of wine culture with authenticity and depth. Through her works, she shows us that wine, much like life itself, is a complex blend of elements shaped by time and imbued with the richness of the land and the spirit of its people.

Want to read more about wine? Try reading the book below!