“Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens

This compelling novel tells the story of Kya Clark, known as the “Marsh Girl,” who grows up isolated in the marshes of North Carolina. Abandoned by her family and left to fend for herself from a young age, Kya becomes intimately familiar with the natural world around her. The narrative unfolds as a dual timeline, alternating between Kya’s coming-of-age story in the 1950s and a murder investigation in the 1960s where Kya becomes a prime suspect.

Delia Owens‘ descriptive prose vividly captures the beauty and solitude of the marshlands while exploring themes of loneliness, resilience, and the impact of human connections. The novel became a runaway bestseller, captivating readers with its atmospheric setting and haunting portrayal of Kya’s survival against the odds. In addition to its literary success, “Where the Crawdads Sing” has also been adapted into a feature film, bringing Kya’s story to life on the big screen and further solidifying its place in contemporary literature.

The dual timelines of Kya’s coming-of-age journey and the gripping mystery that unfolds later in her life kept me eagerly turning pages late into the night, driven to uncover the truth alongside her. While I understand that opinions on this book vary, for me, it was a story that lingered in my thoughts long after I finished reading, prompting reflection on themes of loneliness, resilience, and the enduring power of nature.

I recommend pairing it with a crisp and refreshing Rosé. Known for their harmonious balance of fruitiness and acidity, a well-crafted Rosé will beautifully complement the themes of nature and survival of “Where the Crawdads Sing.” The light, vibrant character of a Rosé mirrors the atmospheric setting of the marsh, reflecting its vivid descriptions of flora and fauna.

A Rosé offers versatility and a refreshing uplift that aligns with the novel’s emotional depth and hopeful moments. The wine’s rejuvenating qualities parallel the story’s depiction of nature’s transformative power, making it a perfect companion for delving into Kya’s world.

For “Where the Crawdads Sing“, I paired it with Whispering Angel Rosé from the Côtes de Provence in France. This popular rosé is celebrated for its fresh, crisp flavors of strawberry, peach, and citrus, accompanied by a light, elegant body. Its refreshing character enfolds and uplifts the natural beauty and outdoor settings vividly depicted in Delia Owens’ novel.

This wine with its delicate and nuanced flavors also reflects the serene and unspoiled landscape of the North Carolina marshlands, where the protagonist, Kya Clark, finds solace and a sense of belonging in the natural world around her.

“Language is wine upon the lips” – Virginia Woolf

In just over a decade, rosé wine went from an afterthought to one of the most popular types of wine in the world, especially in summer. Rosé wines from Provence — and similar styles produced around the world — account for the majority of the best rosé wines, but there are actually several styles of rosé wine. Some are very delicate, pale pink wines with light flavors of red fruit and citrus, while others are dark pink, robust, and complex wines. You can learn everything about the different styles of rosé and the production process in our ultimate guide to rosé wine. While rosé is most popular during summer, the best rosé wines are worth considering year-round. Rosé wines are easy to pair with food and are a safe choice on many wine lists. Read on to discover the best rosé wines in the world.

What Is the Most Popular Rosé Wine in the World?

Many credit today’s obsession with rosé wine to winemaker Sacha Lichine, the mastermind behind Whispering Angel, the rosé that started it all in 2006. While Whispering Angel is still a wonderful rosé, it’s been surpassed by ultrapremium rosés from other producers, as well as at Château d’Esclans. Now, Whispering Angel ($25) is a solid, affordable rosé found around the world. It is accompanied in the portfolio by The Beach by Whispering Angel ($18) and The Pale by Sacha Lichine ($15), two easy-drinking rosés, and Rock Angel ($35).
But, Lichine also expanded the estate to focus on premium rosés, including Les Clans ($95) and Garrus ($125). Both are full-bodied, complex rosés with aging potential. This makes them great for pairing with food, such as lobster pasta, sushi, and grilled fish. While many rosés have light flavors, these wines are intense and powerful but still refreshing. Les Clans has a tropical and spicy palate, with notes of pineapple, ginger, and black licorice alongside raspberries and strawberries.
Lichine treats Garrus more like a Cru Classé white Burgundy, a type of Chardonnay, than a Provençal rosé. It’s made from the grapes of a single vineyard with ancient vines that are nearly a century old. (The older a vine is, the more concentrated and flavorful the grapes are.) The maison ferments and ages the wine in new large French oak barrels instead of stainless steel or concrete, which adds complexity, flavor, and texture. Garrus has notes of citrus, pear, peach, pineapple, and passion fruit. The maison describes it as “vintage Champagne without the bubbles.”

The August energy in New York is electrifying — as Labor Day approaches, in the world of sports, it means one thing: the NFL season is on the horizon. On Wednesday evening, Haute Time celebrated its August 2024 cover star and legendary NFL quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, after a rather exciting practice game between the NY Jets and the NY Giants. The evening, in partnership with Zenith Watches and the world’s most popular rosé brand, Whispering Angel, was an evening to celebrate Rodgers and wish him the best as he heads into his 20th year in the NFL.

The intimate cocktail was hosted at the incredibly sleek Bar Bastion, a cocktail bar nestled in the heart of Midtown Manhattan by The Bastion Collection designed by acclaimed French architect Joseph Dirand. As guests arrived, they indulged in premier wines like Whispering Angel (Rosé 2023, Côtes de Provence France), Rock Angel (Rosé 2023, Côtes de Provence France), as well as Château d’Esclans “Garrus,” (Rosé 2022, Côtes de Provence France) and Les Trois Croix (2016, Bordeaux, Famille Patrick Léon France).

The guests toasted Rodgers and his legendary career, and you could feel his infectious energy fill the room throughout the evening.

It doesn’t get more French than wine—or perhaps more winey than France. If you’re venturing beyond Paris on your next trip to La République, the French wine regions are likely on your itinerary. And if they’re not, they’re worthy additions to any tour of the country. Wine is an essential part of the national culture, and it’s a treat to witness a particularly French brand of passionate expertise expressed beautifully in its vineyards, the good-time drinks and palate-challengers they yield, and the brilliant humans who make them with great care. Talk to any winemaker about their wares and you’ll inevitably go down a rabbit hole about not only their craft, but French society, geography, climate, and even politics. Indeed, the way into any French person’s heart—and to France’s itself—is a glass (or bottle) of wine.

To that end, here is a brief introduction to some of the best French wine regions, how to visit them, and what wines to try when you’re there. All told, there are 10 or 11 major wine regions in France, depending on who you ask. I’ve curated below a selection of seven, featuring places familiar to the casual wine drinker, like Bordeaux and Champagne; as well as appellations (specific areas classified by their wine-growing conditions) that are wine-nerd favorites, like Bandol in Provence, guaranteed to reward curious travelers and palates.

You’re in good hands here: As a travel editor whose areas of coverage include wine and spirits, I’ve spent extended time in a few of these regions; and in my personal life, I’ve fancied myself an oenophile (read: wine fan) ever since my mother switched me from formula to Pinot Grigio. I’ve also consulted some of the best books on the subject, including The New Wine Rules by Jon Bonné, Wine Simple by Aldo Sohm, and Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide by Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack. Grab a copy of one or all to further your own wine education.

With that out of the way, here are seven French wine regions to visit, where to stay, and what to drink. Santé!

Provence

In the last few decades, this region has claimed its place on the map for many travelers thanks not only to its photogenic lavender fields and seaside resort towns, but also the rise of rosé—and Provence makes plenty of the stuff thanks to the gorgeous weather. A Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers ensures the local grapes (and humans) have a good time year-round; the winemakers here, however, have to be mindful of the fruits getting too much sun, as they risk over-ripening. As you’d expect, rosé pairs beautifully with the sunny and summery foods of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region; a full-bodied rosé from Var—the French department sandwiched by Cannes and Marseille, home to Saint-Tropez—is a perfect accompaniment to fishy bouillabaisse. But there’s more to Provence than its famous pale-pink drink: Darker rosés and lighter reds from the Bandol can be rich and almost smoky in a way that recalls bacon. How’s that for a summer drink?

How to visit:  The home of perennial crowd-pleaser Whispering Angel rosé, Château d’Esclans, is near Nice (an hour away) and Saint-Tropez (an hour and a half).