The Lost Vintage: A Novel

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If you enjoyed Sarahs Keyand Kristin HannahsThe Nightingale, then this wonderful book by Ann Mah is for you. -- Tatiana de Rosnay

Sweetbitter meets The Nightingale in this page-turning novel about a woman who returns to her familys ancestral vineyard in Burgundy and unexpectedly uncovers a lost diary, an unknown relative, and a secret her family has been keeping since World War II.

To become one of only a few hundred certified wine experts in the world, Kate must pass the notoriously difficult Master of Wine examination. Shes failed twice before; her third attempt will be her last chance. Suddenly finding herself without a job and with the test a few months away, she travels to Burgundy to spend the fall at the vineyard estate that has belonged to her family for generations. There she can bolster her shaky knowledge of Burgundian vintages and reconnect with her cousin Nico and his wife, Heather, who now oversee day-to-day management of the grapes. The one person Kate hopes to avoid is Jean-Luc, a talented young winemaker and her first love.

At the vineyard house, Kate is eager to help her cousin clean out the enormous basement that is filled with generations of discarded and forgotten belongings. Deep inside the cellar, behind a large armoire, she discovers a hidden room containing a cot, some Resistance pamphlets, and an enormous cache of valuable wine. Piqued by the secret space, Kate begins to dig into her familys historya search that takes her back to the dark days of World War II and introduces her to a relative she never knew existed, a greathalf aunt who was a teenager during the Nazi occupation.

As she learns more about her family, the line between resistance and collaboration blurs, driving Kate to find the answers to two crucial questions: Who, exactly, did her family aid during the difficult years of the war And what happened to six valuable bottles of wine that seem to be missing from the cellars collection

Reviews

Its apropos that this novel is set in Burgundy, because it shares the layers, depth, nuance and structure of the wines from that region. Minneapolis Star Tribune A made-for-vacation read. Goop Suspenseful, rich indetail about French food, culture, history and of course wine, thereal power of The Lost Vintage lies in its thoughtful and humanerendering of difficult but important truths. Therese Anne Fowler,New York Timesbestselling author ofZ: ANovel of Zelda Fitzgerald Fans of World War II historical fiction have a new title to add to their book club reading list this summer....Youll easily start and finish the entire book in the span of a long weekend. Bon Apptit Charismatic...resonates on many levels, and [Mahs] engaging story will appeal to readers who enjoy the family sagas of Kate Morton and Kristin Hannah. Booklist If you enjoyed mySarahs Keyand Kristin HannahsThe Nightingale, then this wonderful book by Ann Mah is for you. I read it in one greedy gobble, couldnt put it down, and cant recommend it enough. Tatiana de Rosnay, bestselling author ofSarahs Key The world needs novels like The Lost Vintage: page-turning tales that remind us both of the power of the human spirit and the mystery of the human heart.Its a remarkable novel. Chris Bohjalian, bestselling author The Flight Attendant and The Sandcastle Girls Poised to become this seasons essential female-centered adventure. The Hollywood Reporter A sensual and heartbreaking story of family secrets, lost love, and retribution that unfolds in the magical vineyards of Burgundy.Utterly gripping. I couldnt put it down. Danielle Trussoni, New York Times and internationally bestselling author ofAngelology In elegant prose, Ann Mah spreads before her readers a sumptuous feasta gripping mystery, a heartfelt love story, and a fascinating historical account. Awash in beautifully rendered detail,The Lost Vintageeffortlessly glides between the vineyards of modernday Burgundy and the terrors of Nazi-occupied France. Graceful and compelling. Cathy Marie Buchanan,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Painted Girls Ann MahsThe Lost Vintageis as rich and complex as a fine French Burgundythe perfect read for mystery lovers, history buffs, wine drinkers, Francophiles, and anyone interested in visiting the French wine country from a comfortable chair at home.Charmant! Meg Waite Clayton, bestselling author ofThe Wednesday SistersandThe Race for Paris Anns Mahs TheLost Vintage is a delightful novel--part love story, part mystery--that unfolds layer after layer of nuance and depth until its symphonic finish and reads like nothing so much as one of the vintage Burgundy wines that are so much part of the story. Tilar J. Mazzeo, New York Times bestselling author of The Widow Clicquot Settle down with a glass of your favorite wine and allow yourself to be swept away in this beautiful tale of love, loss, courage and self-discovery. Shilpi Somaya Gowda, bestselling author of The Golden Son A gorgeous novel of French food, wine, and a mystery from the past rapidly unravelling. I couldnt stop reading and wanted to savor every word. Allie Larkin, bestselling author of Stay Mahs detailed descriptions of life on a family vineyard...are so robust that a novice wine drinker may progress to aficionado status by the end...Will delight Francophiles and readers who enjoy historical fiction with a twist by such authors as Lauren Willig or Christina Baker Kline. Library Journal(starred review)

Author Bio

Ann Mah was born in Orange County, California, and lived in Beijing for four years, where she was the dining editor for a monthly English-language magazine. She writes regularly for the South China Morning Post, Cond Nast Traveler, the International Herald Tribune, and on her blog, www.annmah.net. Ann was awarded a James Beard Culinary Scholarship in 2005 and now lives in Paris.