We each devoured the book Such a Fun Age over a long holiday weekend. Not only did it have us pausing often to discuss the characters and themes, but it inspired us to seek out a delicious Riesling like one referenced in the book. Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett Trocken ($25 at our corner store) fit the bill with its bright and bold green apple coming through the taste, honey on the nose, and medium acidity (acidity is what makes your mouth water after a sip!)
*A handy note when you’re shopping for German Riesling: trocken means dry, and is your cheat code for avoiding the overly sweet edition of Riesling you may be familiar with.

In Such a Fun Age, there is a $58 bottle of Riesling that Alix Chamberlain gifts to her sitter, Emira, and is leveraged to introduce a conversation about socioeconomic status among characters. They discuss perceptions of wealth and “coming of age” moments where you realize someone is more or less financially comfortable based on details of their life. For many who drink, alcohol selection can be seen as a reflection of age, wealth, and stability in life. Bottom shelf vodka? For us, that reflected our college years. Top shelf wine? To this day, this most reflects dinner with our parents.
Throughout our 20s (and for one of us, into her 30s), we made purchases based on our perception of value for what we could reasonably afford. Gradually as our tastes and careers evolved, $5 wine became $10 wine and so on, until we settled in somewhere along the way. Today, we are firm believers that delicious wine can be affordable and approachable – hovering often between $15-25. Still, sometimes we’ll splurge (a little) to bring home something remarkable. We shop bin ends for deals, compare prices online, and read reviews when making purchases.
Our love affair with wine is a journey – one we don’t want breaking the bank, and we want the same for you. Whatever your sweet spot, we hope to find the hidden gems that fit your budget as well as your unique lifestyle! If you have an occasion to pair or a price point in mind, shoot us a note. Tell us your favorite varietal and we’ll help you seek out an affordable gem of this style and recommend a fun activity to enjoy with your wine. We’re here for it all!
