Uncorking a Lie by Nadine Nettmann
A Sommelier Mystery #2
It was the kind of invitation sommelier Katie Stillwell had only dreamed about: a dinner party at the Sonoma mansion of famed wine collector Paul Rafferty to celebrate a rare bottle. Everyone enjoys drinking the $19,000 wine, but Katie realizes it’s not the vintage listed on the label.
When she confides in Mr. Rafferty, he asks her to investigate, and she soon discovers the deception goes beyond money—it includes an accidental death that might just be murder. As Katie falls deeper into the world of counterfeit wine, she learns everything is at stake . . . even her life.
Guest Post
My character, Katie Stillwell, and I have several things in common and one is that we both believe there’s a story in every bottle of wine. When you buy wine in a store or have it poured at a restaurant, the wine brings along a story and a journey. Even if you know nothing about the wine, it has still been on a journey from the moment the vines were planted, to the way the sun shines on the grapes, to the people picking, pressing, and fermenting them to create a wine. All of those elements are inside the bottle when the wine is opened, but it doesn’t stop there.
Sometimes there are two journeys — the bottle’s journey and the one you bring with it. What is your connection to this particular bottle? Does it strike a memory when you open it?
A few weeks ago, my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary by opening a bottle of 2001 Domaine du Garinet from Cahors, France. We visited this winery during a trip to France in 2011 and had a wonderful time talking to the husband and wife who owned and ran the winery. They showed us the vineyards, where they press the grapes, the fermenting tanks, etc. It was a delightful afternoon and it holds a special place in our hearts. We purchased a bottle that became treasured because of the memory involved in the occasion. As we were leaving the winery, we looked back at the couple and they were holding hands as they walked to their house. It was a beautiful final moment of our time there and has stayed with us ever since.
When we finally decided to open the wine a few weeks ago, we reminisced about the afternoon so many years ago and the bottle took on a new light. We loved that we had met the people involved in creating such a fantastic wine and we enjoyed our personal memory along with it — the time we spent chatting with them, the tour of the property, and the connection we shared. Because of this, we celebrated both journeys of the bottle that evening and it was a wonderful way to mark our wedding anniversary.
Sometimes there are two stories in every bottle and sometimes there is only one, but no matter the wine, there’s always a story.
About the Author
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 traveled to wine regions around the world including Chile, South Africa, Spain, Germany, and every region in France. When she’s not visiting wine regions or dreaming up new mysteries, her travel articles have appeared in AAA Hawaii, New Mexico Journey, Modern Luxury Hawaii, and Inspirato. Nadine is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers. She lives in California with her husband.
Author Links
Website: http://nadinenettmann.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NadineNettmann
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NadinesNotes
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14416658.Nadine_Nettmann
Giveaway!!
I never thought about the story behind the wine. Interesting.
Thank you!
I like the idea of each wine taking a journey, and that each wine has its own story. I’m really looking forward to reading Uncorking a Lie ~
Thank you so much!
I haven’t seen this book or author…where have I been? I am very interested in wine…well, I do enjoy a glass now and then, but I also enjoy learning about winemaking, history, wine varieties. I live in a wine region in California and enjoy wine tasting trips and visits to various vineyards. A book with a bit of that focus…fun!
Thank you! Both books take place in California wine regions so there may even be a taste of home in them. I hope you enjoy them!
That is wonderful…the wine country has many wonderful memories. My first date with my husband of 28 years was visiting Sonoma and Napa vineyards; we live and work in the Lodi wine country, and many romantic vacations included the Central Coast around Monterey. Wine has played a lovely part in our lives… I am very interested in your series. Thank you, Nadine.
I love that your first date was in wine country! One of my first road trips with my husband was to Sonoma. Cheers to wonderful wine and wonderful memories!
I can only imagine the ‘research’ you must have enjoyed when writing your books…What is your favorite wine? Mine is Pinot Grigio, but I wouldn’t pass up a Cabernet.
My favorite tends to change depending on the time of year but I do adore Pinot Grigio 🙂
This is a new author and series to me. Looking forward to reading “Uncorking A Lie”. Story sounds amazing.
Thank you so much!!
Thank you for the giveaway! As soon as I read about this book, I went straight to Amazon to check out the first one in the series. I can’t believe I missed them!!! I’ve read books about wineries but never about a sommelier and I’m looking forward to reading them both!
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy them!
Thank you so much, Brooke Blogs. I loved writing this guest post and hope to stop by again in the future!
Very interesting. Looking forward to this new-to-me author
Thank you!