Book+Bottle: Between Hurricanes+Well Read Benefit Wine

The Book

Between Hurricanes (Lithic Press, 2015) is a collection of poetry, lush with the scent of oleander and ocean brine, by local author and CMU professor Jennifer Rane Hancock. The poems describe a childhood on the Texas coast, and a lasting fascination with impending disasters that sometimes hit us and sometimes turn at the last minute. The author explains that American poetry—just like pop culture—increasingly tackles apocalyptic themes, so this might be the perfect time to dip your toe into contemporary poetry.

    Fruita publisher Danny Rosen and designer (and Fruita city councilmember) Kyle Harvey have created a beautiful book that features photographs from Hancock’s life. It is available at Lithic Bookstore and Gallery (138 S. Park Square / 202, in Fruita) and through Amazon.

    Hancock has made the Grand Valley her home since 2006, and she teaches a monthly poetry night at the Mesa County Library’s Main Branch (second Wednesdays). Everyone is welcome at the two-hour workshop and introduction to poets, forms, and elements of craft.

The Wine

Photo: Courtesy Grande River Vineyards

While we’re on the topic of libraries and pairings... The Mesa County Library Foundation has partnered with Grande River Vineyards to produce a private label wine benefiting our local libraries’ special programs and events. The result is Well Read, a lovely medium-bodied, estate-bottled merlot.

    Perfect for summer sipping, this fruit-forward wine begins with a blueberry aroma on the nose, followed by notes of cherry. Well Read is easy-drinking enough to enjoy on its own as you page through a book in the shade. It also pairs perfectly with seasonal favorites like grilled veggies, steak, or burgers — pizza and chocolate too!

    Your poetry practice is surely teaching you to attend to details, so don’t forget to notice this wine’s delightful label (designed by S+B contributor Dave Goe!). For every bottle purchased at Grande River (787 N. Elberta Avenue in Palisade), $5 will be donated to the Library Foundation.