Corney & Barrow launches wine & book club

Corney & Barrow is combining two of life’s great pleasures – literature and wine – into a new wine and book club hosted by author and playwright Damian Barr.

Simon Heafield of Foyles, James Franklin of Corney & Barrow and author Damian Barr

Dubbed ‘A Book and a Bottle’ #NovelPairings, the first wine-soaked “literary salon” will take place at The Bermondsey Yard Café in southeast London on 20 June.

During the event, Jessie Burton will read for the first time from The Muse, her follow-up to her New York Times best seller The Miniaturist. Tickets, which can be bought here, cost £29.52 and include wine inspired by The Muse and a copy of the book.

Jessie Burton’s follow up to The Miniaturist

“Books and booze are two of my greatest passions and I’m thrilled to be doing a project that brings them together to share the joys of refined drinking and thinking,” Barr said.

Accompanied by Simon Heafield, head of marketing and brand development for Foyles, wines that appear in Barr’s chosen book will be served to guests during the evening.

“This is a brilliantly novel idea making wine fun, approachable and viewed from an interesting angle.

“Damian and Simon describe the books in such an exciting way, you can’t help but be drawn in,” said James Franklin, associate director and head of merchant sales for Corney & Barrow.

“No book club is complete without a good bottle of wine, so a book club that discusses the relationship between books and wine is a brilliant idea.

“We’re thrilled that Damian has invited us to combine our knowledge and love of books with Corney & Barrow’s unparalleled expertise in wine to help create something unique and engaging for both book lovers and oenophiles,” said Heafield.

Each month a new book and wine pairing will be announced on abookandabottle.co.uk, and there will be a podcast available to download.

Those keen to take part will be able to buy both the book and the chosen wine to enjoy while listening to the podcast, after having read the book.

A second literary salon will take place on 12 September and a third at the Cheltenham Literary Festival in October.