As my third novel, Pairing a Deception, releases, it marks over one hundred wine pairings to go along with each of the chapters in the Sommelier Mystery series.
When I first started the series, I knew that wine would be a main focus of the books, but I wasn't sure how much. Don't get me wrong, I knew that my main character would be a sommelier and that Decanting a Murder would be set in Napa Valley, but it was only after I finished the novel that the idea arrived to pair each chapter with a wine.
And it made sense. Sommeliers in restaurants help pair your meal with the perfect wine to accentuate the flavors. For example, Sauvignon Blanc complements light seafood dishes while Chardonnay pairs well with rich seafood. I applied this to the chapters in my books and provided a wine that went along with each chapter for a specific reason.
Chapter One of Decanting a Murder is paired with Champagne because it's, "Ideal as an aperitif to get you started." Champagne is great to enjoy before a meal or perhaps during a cocktail hour. It starts the evening off nicely, which is why I made Champagne the very first pairing.
Sometimes the reason is clear, and sometimes it's not as obvious. In Uncorking a Lie, Chapter Sixteen is paired with a Cabernet Franc from the Sierra Foothills because, "This red wine has higher alcohol than its Cabernet Franc counterparts grown in other regions." The tension, and heat, begin to rise in this chapter.
My original goal was to pair every chapter with a wine that readers could find in their local stores, so they actually could drink along if they wanted. This is also why I didn't list specific wineries, as readers could apply their favorite wines to the pairings. But after Decanting a Murder was released, I received emails that readers loved learning about different wines in the chapters. So for the next two books, I selected wines that might be new to readers or would be fun to learn about, but still paired for specific reasons. For example, Chapter Ten in Pairing a Deception is paired with a Mencía from Spain because, "This aromatic red wine holds up well and is ideal for fans of Pinot Noir."
I was also careful to not repeat a wine, so with one hundred and four chapters in the series, there are one hundred and four unique wine pairings. I hope readers enjoy the pairings as they go along, but I would recommend only drinking one or two while reading, especially if they are fast readers. After all, there are mysteries to be solved.
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Katie is on Cloud Wine at a Santa Barbara Festival…until a new mystery is uncorked.
With only a few days left until her Advanced Sommelier exam, Katie Stillwell hopes to balance studying with attending a wine and food festival in Santa Barbara.
The weekend with Detective Dean is off to a great start—until an attendee is murdered and suspicion falls on the festival emcee, Master Sommelier Hudson Wiley. Katie tries to keep her focus on the festival and her last-minute studying, but when she discovers people aren’t who they say they are, she finds herself in the middle of a tangled web where nothing, except the wine, is what it seems.
Praise for the Sommelier Mysteries:
Pairing a Deception:
"This mystery delivers a fast, sophisticated ride with just enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the final confrontation."—RT Book Reviews (4 stars)
Uncorking a Lie:
A finalist for the 2018 Mary Higgins Clark Award
"Nearly every page sparkles with commentary about wine . . . Uncorking a Lie fills an appealing niche with its likable heroine and enticing, engaging world."
—ForeWord Reviews
"A good mystery with a limited group of suspects and unlimited wine lore."
—Kirkus Reviews
"A good sophomore outing for a strong new series."
—Mystery Scene
Decanting a Murder:
A 2017 Anthony Award Finalist for Best First Novel
A 2016 Agatha Award Finalist for Best First Novel
A 2017 Lefty Award Finalist for Best Debut Mystery Novel
"Filled with amusing characters, snappy dialogue and delicious wine pairings, this mystery delivers a fast, sophisticated ride with just enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the final confrontation."
—RT Book Reviews (4 stars)
Nadine Nettmann, a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, is always on the lookout for great wines and the stories behind them. She has visited wine regions around the world including Chile, South Africa, Spain, Germany and every region in France. Nadine is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She lives in California with her husband.
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