Have you ever read a book about wine? Yawn…I’m sorry, were you saying something? Yes, I agree, in general reading about wine often leaves you feeling overwhelmed & under-educated, until you read Leslie Sbrocco’s,  Wine for Women: A Guide to Buying, Pairing, and Sharing Wine. The title sounds like a sexist ploy to get women to fall into a trap that somehow this book is written in a language just for women..and it is. Not the sexist ploy part! No, no, no, cara mia, this is not a ploy at all. It is indeed written for women- or at least those that like to shop, love clothes and appreciate relevant descriptions in regular words people use everyday instead of sounding like an episode of Frasier.

With chapter names like, Chardonnay~The “Basic Black” of White Wine, Merlot~The “Wrap Me In Cashmere” Red, Dessert Wines~The “Pajamas of Vino”, this book reads more like a fun conversation with girlfriends where you all are able to finish each others sentences.

Each chapter is organized into 3 sections, Buying, Pairing and Sharing.

The Buying section of each chapter gives a mood setting description of the type of wine, which is related back to our closets and directly to our hearts. Then Sbrocco goes on to explain the story of the grape, wine and region. The meaning of the labels or Label Links, “connecting taste to place makes wine buying easy”.

The Pairing section offers advice on the pairing of food and wine. This is more complicated than it may seem, but it can make the difference between a mediocre meal and a fabulous feast! Sbrocco guides you through this with full-bodied descriptions on the types, textures and taste of the food to consider when pairing. There are even Design-a-Dinner menus and wine shopping guides.

Lastly, the Sharing section answers FAQ’s, about storing, serving and thoughtful gift-giving for many occasions.

This Diva’s favorite chapter is Chianti- The Sleek Italian Heels. Here is an excerpt:

“While some say clothes can make the person, I say, what about the shoes? Many of us consider footwear the ultimate fashion necessity, especially when it carries the discreet badge of honor “Made in Italy.”
I gravitate toward stylish Italian heels that miraculously seem to make any outfit look elegant. Granted, it may take time to break them in, but it is a small price to pay for beauty. That’s the same way I feel about Sangiovese, the grape responsible for producing Italy’s classic Tuscan reds. These tightly wound wines often need time in the glass to soften up but show their true beauty when paired with food.
Unlike other reds that pummel you with power, Sangiovese-based wines seduce with style. Just like a pair of Italian heels.”

Wine for Women is a wonderful book about wine, but after reading each chapter or even a page, Sbrocco writes with such a passion and flair that you feel as if you have taken a mini-vacation to California’s Central Coast; Haut-Médoc, France; Brunello di Montalcino, Italy or Coonawarra, Australia.

To quote Tony Coltrin of Seña winery, “Good wine tastes like a grape, but great wine tastes like a place.”

This Diva couldn’t have said it better.

Do you have a book about wine you would like to recommend? Leave a comment!

The Women (2008)

After the parade of botox, lip plumpers, Narciso Rodriguez fashion and beautiful sets, all I was left with was this quote. “I am the man I want to marry.” Annette Bening’s character “Sylvie” smartly answers to Meg Ryan’s “Mary Haines” telling her “one day she would meet the man she would want to marry.”

That was the only modern twist on this old gem of George Cukor’s 1939 Original. But this is 2008. Even the play’s original author, Claire Boothe Luce would be Diva enough to know it would take more than this to hold it’s own against Sex & the City.  To be fair, the new version of The Women had a lot to live up to. The original was such a landmark production. All female cast. Norma Shearer -the queen of Hollywood at that time-as Mary Haines and Joan Crawford as the venomous Crystal Allen. Rosalind Russell as Mrs. Howard “Sylvie” Fowler, the socialite that took joy in others problems and couldn’t help but to stir the pot. Yes, to live up to a classic is next to impossible.

The new version had 3 bits of perfect casting.

Eva Mendes as Crystal Allen. She is Jessica Rabbit come to life. The cast’s reaction to her in the movie is pretty much what I suspect any of us would do if we saw a creature like this outside of a magazine cover. Jaw-dropping.

Debi Mazur as Tanya, the manicurist, who blithely passes on rumors and gossip that shatters peoples lives while polishing their nails Jungle Red.

Bette Midler who was totally underused as Leah Miller, known as “Countess” in the original. When Ms. Midler’s unmistakable voice was heard, I immediately thought, well here we go, this thing is starting now. But alas, she was on screen for about 5 minutes. And that was poorly written.

I was really looking forward to this movie. It had everything going for it. Great trailer, sound bites, good cast, fashion, beautiful locations/sets…what could go wrong? I would sum it up into chemistry. Annette gave it her best, but there was just no connection to Meg Ryan. The writing was uneven varying from modern to weak throwback lines to the original version. They couldn’t decide how to go at this. Make a fresh new version, throw in a lesbian or two to seem hip or rely on the 1939 version of marriage and wifely duties- which actually should have been good for a few laughs but instead fell flat.

I will say Annette Bening looked the best out of all the “slightly” older actresses. She looked real. How often do you hear that about a Hollywood actress? Another great line she had ” This is my face, deal with it!”

Diva Verdict: Rent the original and catch the new version on cable.

If you watch Project Runway, you are familiar with Nina Garcia. At the time this book was written, she was the Fashion Director at Elle Magazine.

It took awhile to warm up to her, but I have grown to really like her and have always respected her opinion. She is honest and doesn’t really become harsh unless provoked.

The Little Black Book of Style, does not disappoint. Nina tells about herself and her fashion background with such wink-and-a-smile style , you can’t help but want to hear more.

This is not an insiders blab-fest about fashion designers and models. This is a fun and serious look at how what you wear asserts your identity. There are lots of fun quotes and advice from fashion designers, models, celebrities, stylists etc. She gives  insight about how different countries view fashion. She relates fashion and the emotion of it to music, movies and icons…calling Audrey Hepburn. Audrey? Audrey?

Some may scoff…okay, a lot may scoff… but fashion is a multi-billion dollar business that is rooted firmly in our little -sometimes insecure – Diva psyches. Why not accept a little guidance from Dolce Divina Nina while sipping some prosecco and nibbling on some olives…perché no?

From one Diva to another…I highly recommend it!