VINTAGE ATTRACTION

A young English teacher falls—glass first—into a love affair and the world of wine when he meets a famous and enchanting sommelier in Charles Blackstone's enchanting VINTAGE ATTRACTION.

Before Peter Hapworth meets Izzy, he knows the difference between Pinot Noir and peanut butter, but that's about it. Lonely and frustrated with his academic career--as well as with dating--his life takes a sudden turn one night when he turns on the television. He's transfixed by the woman staring back at him, a glass of wine swirling delicately in her hand--Isabelle Conway, one of the preeminent sommeliers in the world. There's something about her. Somehow, he feels like he already knows her. On a whim, he pitches himself as a guest on her popular TV show, and the two embark on a whirlwind courtship. But relationships require a delicate balance of nurturing and belief, much like winemaking. Hapworth and Izzy must navigate the complex mysteries of wine--and the heart--from glamorous social events and domestic travails in Chicago to the vineyards and rocky bluffs of Santorini in Greece. Vintage Attraction is a rich and insightful novel by an exciting, young literary talent. Charles Blackstone is the managing editor of Bookslut. His short stories have appeared in Esquire and other publications. He was named recently one of the "Lit 50": Who Really Books in Chicago by Newcity. He lives in downtown Chicago with his wife, master sommelier, restaurateur, and television personality Alpana Singh.