"Wine and Words" Draws Punta Gorda Bibliophiles and Wine Lovers -- Lots of Them

In Chinese literature,  numerous poems mention the imbibing of  “grape wine.” In English literature, Shakespeare talks of  “sack” (an early form of sherry) and “Rhenish” (Rhine wines), Keats of  “draught of vintage” in  “Ode to a Nightingale,” and Byron recommends the pleasures of “hock and soda water” in  “Don Juan.”  Wine is frequently mentioned in the Bible, Noah became inebriated planting a vineyard.    Even Harry Potter has its "elks wine."  And then, of course,  there are the great champagne quotes among them: “Three be the things I shall never attain: Envy, content, and sufficient champagne.” – Dorothy Parker “My only regret in life is that I did not drink more Champagne” – John Maynard Keynes.

From Left: Amanda Rittenhouse, Kelly Riley, Ginny Cjaza, Heath Rittenhouse

Words and wine just seem to go together, and now two Punta Gorda businesses, one dealing with wine, and one with words are doing just that, bringing them together.  In fact, the second event, drawing many wine and literature enthusiasts in Punta Gorda took place just recently at the new Orange House Wine Bar featuring new and favorite books and samplings of delicious new wines.

The event is the brainchild of Cathy Graham and Serena Wyckoff, owners of Copperfish Books, and Ruth and Bob Wessel, owners of the Orange House Wine Bar.  The first "Wine and Words" was held at Copperfish Books in June. The pairs knowing the joy of mingling a good read with a glass of marvelous wine thought that the enticing combination of wine and literature would work well in Punta Gorda and given the attendance at the first two, they would appear right.  The next readings between the wines (couldn't resist) event will be in September, date TBA.

For information on Copperfish Books, visit www.copperfishbooks.com or call 941-205-2560. For details on The Orange House Wine Bar, visit http://theorangehousewinebar.com/ or call 941-505-8233.

From Left: Yvonne Bras, Serena Wyckoff, Pat Campagna, Cathy Graham, Laurel Prehn

(Photo credits: Photo 1 and 3: Nanette Leonard, Nan Leonard Public Relations; Photo 2: Keith Tracy, West Coast Media Productions )