Lambrusco for Like a House on Fire

Like a House on Fire is a captivating story about a woman who finds herself dissatisfied with the life she’s built with her husband, and looking toward an alternate path with the intriguing older woman who becomes her fast friend and confidant. As she considers her life and various identities (mother, wife, painter, architect), she finds herself at a turning moment that could blow up everything “like a house on fire.” We couldn’t stop reading! 

To go along with the soul-searching and hot drama of Like a House on Fire, we wanted a wine with the same fiery energy. Lambrusco is a sparkling red (sparkling wine lovers rejoice!) made from the Italian Lambrusco grape. It’s not as bubbly as most sparkling wines or Champagne – the bubbles are a bit softer. Hot tip: If a label says frizzante, that means the wine will be slightly sparkly!

So, what do you say to a bold red wine that’s got some effervescence and is always served chilled? We say: sign us up! Venturini Baldini ‘Montelocco’ Lambrusco Frizzante Emilia ($15) is dry yet punchy with blackberries, a touch of earthiness, and that wonderful, gentle fizz. We can totally see Jane, our protagonist’s boss/friend turned love interest, sipping a glass on her patio all summer long. 

Truly, this is the perfect pairing for a juicy novel… and it doesn’t hurt that the bottle’s art looks like a burning tree. We love a good metaphor!

This was the latest feature for Book Wine Club and during our virtual chat, author Lauren McBrayer popped in to discuss her process and connection with this story. We had a great conversation, as always, and look forward to next month’s Boston-based mystery thriller: The Woman in the Library. Added bonus: Book Wine Club pegged this exact bottle for next month’s wine pair, so definitely grab a bottle to pair with any spicy summer reads on your tbr.