Wine and Words makes excellent pairings — of books and blends, authors and appellations.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library coordinates the very popular series, featuring Canadian authors at local wineries.

Typically the writer will discuss their book, read some excerpts, and entertain questions from the audience.

The $25 tickets also include a glass of wine and a food pairing.

The series begins on September 12 with Karma Brown at Chateau des Charmes winery. Brown’s books — including Come Away With Me and The Choices We Make — have made it onto the Globe & Mail best-seller list.

She is also an award-winning journalist.

Brown will be discussing her most recent work, The Life Lucy Knew, which it turns out is more about what Lucy doesn’t know. This psychological fiction follows the protagonist as she discovers everything she believed about her life is untrue.

“Karma Brown was enthusiastically recommended to us by Michele Bosc from Chateau des Charmes,” said Debbie Krause, community engagement coordinator at the library. “People are devouring her books now that we’ve brought them in.”

The series continues on October 10, with Michael Redhill at Colaneri Estate Winery. The Toronto-based, Giller prize-winning novelist, playwright and poet will talk about his book Bellevue Square — which has been described as “playing out like Hitchcock at his most deadpan mischievous.”

November 12 will see Joel Thomas Hynes at Palatine Hills Estate Winery. The Canadian novelist, screenwriter, actor, producer, director and musician will be discussing his gritty, comic thriller about redemption, We’ll All Be Burnt in Our Beds Some Night.

“We chose an eclectic group of authors this year, a lot of different styles,” said Krause. 

“And don’t let the fact that it’s not your genre of choice stop you from coming out. These are all fascinating people, and you’ll have the opportunity to learn about their amazing lives. You never know — you might discover something new.”

The series continues into February and March with Indigenous author Tanya Malaga at the Hare Wine Company and Adam Shoalts at Southbrook Vineyards.

Joanna Goodman will close the series in April with her book The Home for Unwanted Girls at Caroline Cellars.

The library stocks 10 copies of each of these books so you can read up beforehand — although you don’t need to have read the book to enjoy the experience. 

Tickets can be purchased through the library’s website, and often sell out — buying tickets in advance is recommended for those interested.