The Grape Witch series is a collection of books written by esteemed author Emily R. King. This fantasy series follows the adventures of a young grape witch named Zara, who possesses the unique power to manipulate and control the growth and properties of grapes. The main idea of this series is to explore the power of nature and its connection to magic. In the first book of the series, "Grapes of Power", we are introduced to Zara and her extraordinary abilities. Growing up in a small village surrounded by vineyards, Zara discovers her powers at a young age and quickly becomes a valuable asset to her community.
Growing up in a small village surrounded by vineyards, Zara discovers her powers at a young age and quickly becomes a valuable asset to her community. However, her talents also attract the attention of the ruthless Purple Frost Kingdom, who seeks to exploit her abilities for their own gain. Zara is forced to embark on a dangerous journey to protect herself and uncover the truth about her powers.
Some natural wines with the Grape Witches
A few weeks ago I was invited to host a tasting of natural/authentic wine in Toronto with Nicole and Krysta, the Grape Witches. It was for local somms and trade and was a sell out. The wines were lovely: here are my notes.
Guiberteau Les Moulins Saumur 2016 Loire, France
13% alcohol. Tight and complex with lively apple and citrus fruit. Really linear with high acidity and some appley, spicy complexity. Vivid and expressive with real zing. Distinctive and bracing. 92/100
Brash Higgins ZBO Zibibbo 2016 Riverland, Australia
From Ricca Terra Farms, this is left on skins for 150 days in amphorae. Complex and aromatic with lovely grape, pear and orange peel characters. Lively and exotic with freshness and depth, and a slightly pithy finish. Pure, compelling and delicious. 93/100
Birichino Old Vines Chenin Blanc Jurassic Park Vineyard 2015 Santa Ynez Valley, California
13% alcohol. 37 year old vines in Calcareous soils. 9 barrels produced. Linear and nicely spicy with lovely apple, pear and citrus fruit. Pure with nice fine-grained structure. Lovely texture and mouthfeel: a really complete wine with depth and harmony. 93/100
Phanus Loureiro 2016 Vinho Verde, Portugal
This is made in clay amphorae lined with beeswax. Deep gold in colour. Complex and intense with keen acidity under some citrus and pear fruit with a lively spiciness and an earthy, stony edge from the terracotta. Quite structured wit a grippy finish. Lively stuff that’s thought-provoking and delicious. I’m really impressed by this vintage. 94/100
Envinate Lousas Vinas de Aldea 2016 Ribeira Sacra, Spain
Supple, fine and expressive with lovely detailed, peppery cherry and raspberry fruit with a lovely smooth structure and a bit of grainy grip under the silky, sweet fruit. Compelling and vital, combining alluring fruit with complex texture and structure, and a slight sour cherry finish. There’s a very faint buscuitty edge here under the fruit. 95/100
Savage The Girl Next Door Syrah 2015 Cape Peninsula, South Africa
12.5% alcohol. Beautifully floral nose shows red cherries and some peppery spice. The palate is fresh, silky textured and nicely structured with midweight cherry and plum fruit and some fine supporting peppery spiciness. Seductive, elegant and fine: quite thrilling. 95/100
Jean-Claude Lapalu Beaujolais Villages 2017
Fresh and fine-grained with nice stony structure under the sweet cherry and plum fruit. Has lovely freshness and concentration with a bit of sour cherry on the finish. Benchmark Beaujolais with nice purity. Chilled down a bit this is so smashable, but has some seriousness, too. 93/100
Gut Oggau Josephine Rot 2015 Weinland, Austria
This is incredibly deeply coloured, and bustles with rich flavours of sour cherries, raspberries and blackcurrant. Grippy, peppery and edgy, with good structure and acidity. Very interesting, with some mineral reductive hints and just a little wildness. 93/100
Herve Souhaut La Souteronne 2016 Vin de France
12% alcohol. Juicy, lively, a bit spicy and with nice grainy, stony structure under the sweet cherry and plum fruit. Nice grip with a lovely drinkability. Some smoky, meaty notes adding interest, too. Lovely weight, with a smidgeon of natural wildness. This is smashable. 92/100
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Envinate Lousas Vinas de Aldea 2016 Ribeira Sacra, Spain
Supple, fine and expressive with lovely detailed, peppery cherry and raspberry fruit with a lovely smooth structure and a bit of grainy grip under the silky, sweet fruit. Compelling and vital, combining alluring fruit with complex texture and structure, and a slight sour cherry finish. There’s a very faint buscuitty edge here under the fruit. 95/100
As the series progresses, Zara meets a diverse group of characters, including other witches with unique elemental powers and allies who share her goal of preserving nature's balance. Together, they must navigate treacherous terrain, face formidable enemies, and uncover ancient secrets in order to restore harmony to the grape witch world. Along the way, Zara also wrestles with her own identity and the responsibility that comes with her powers. One of the standout elements of the Grape Witch series is the vivid and immersive world-building created by Emily R. King. The lush descriptions of vineyards, magical forests, and hidden caves transport readers into the heart of the story. Through her writing, King successfully captures the beauty and power of the grape witch's abilities, making it easy for readers to become invested in Zara's journey. Overall, The Grape Witch series is a captivating and enchanting fantasy series that explores themes of power, nature, and identity. It serves as a reminder of the importance of our connection to the environment and the consequences of abusing the natural world. With its engaging plot and well-developed characters, this series is a must-read for fans of fantasy and magic..
Reviews for "The Grape Witch's Guide to Wine Regions: From Old World to New World"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Grape Witch" series. I found the protagonist to be incredibly unlikeable and the plot was just too predictable. The author also relied heavily on clichés and clichéd dialogue, which made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I was bored throughout the entire series and felt like I wasted my time.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "The Grape Witch" series was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was confusing and incoherent, making it a struggle to follow the storyline. The characters lacked depth and development, leaving me disconnected from their experiences. Additionally, the pacing was slow and the plot twists were uninspired. I couldn't wait for the series to be over.
3. Alex - 2/5 stars - I can't understand what the hype is about regarding "The Grape Witch" series. The plot felt convoluted and overcomplicated, with unnecessary subplots that added nothing to the story. The main character was one-dimensional and unengaging, which made it difficult for me to root for her or care about her journey. The series lacked the excitement and depth I was expecting, ultimately leaving me unsatisfied.
4. Emily - 2.5/5 stars - I was not impressed with "The Grape Witch" series. While the concept had potential, the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was too slow and the story lacked a sense of direction. The romance subplot felt forced and unbelievable, and the dialogue often felt contrived and unnatural. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the series and didn't feel invested in the characters or their outcomes.
5. Michael - 2/5 stars - I was honestly quite bored by "The Grape Witch" series. The writing style was overly descriptive, bogging down the narrative and making it hard to stay interested. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises or twists. The ending felt rushed and unresolved, leaving me unsatisfied as a reader. Overall, I found the series to be underwhelming and forgettable.