Books & Bottles: A Literary Journey Through French Wine

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 From 6:00 PM To 7:30 PM Add to Calendar 2026-03-18 18:00:00 2026-03-18 19:30:00 Books & Bottles: A Literary Journey Through French Wine An elegant wine education series exploring France’s most important regions through the lens of culture, tradition, and taste. Each class embraces a region and incorporates a book as a narrative guide - framing the wines, places, and people that shaped France’s enduring wine culture. Across the series, we’ll move through key French regions in a cohesive tasting journey, offering both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers a deeper, more intuitive understanding of French wine, guided by storytelling, expert insight, and shared conversation. French Library, 53 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA America/New_York

At French Library

Join us in our elegant Victorian Founder's Room for the first Books and Bottles Wine Series a dedicated exploration of Burgundy through its wines.

This Burgundy-focused seminar explores one of France’s most storied wine regions through its intimate connection to daily life, home cooking, and terroir. Using Clementine in the Kitchen as a cultural touchstone, the class examines how Burgundy’s culinary traditions - rooted in simplicity, seasonality, and reverence for ingredients - mirror the philosophy behind its wines.

Guests will taste a curated selection of Burgundy Blanc and Rouge, exploring Chardonnay and Pinot Noir through the lenses of place, producer, and tradition. Cat will guide participants through Burgundy’s defining concepts—climate, village expression, and stylistic nuance—while connecting the wines to the rhythms of regional life that shaped them.
This class offers a thoughtful, accessible entry into Burgundy while providing depth and context that seasoned enthusiasts will appreciate.

All our wine seminars are presented in English.
Seats are limited for an intimate experience.
Reserving your spot early is strongly encouraged.

Registration

$149/$169

About Cat Silirie

Cat Silirie has won the National James Beard Award for Excellence for outstanding wine programs. Cat has also served as the Executive Wine Director at Boston restaurants including Menton, No.9 Park, Sportello, The Butcher Shop, B&G Oysters, Drink, Stir, Rocco's, The Harvest, Galleria Italiana and Grill 23.

In addition to her James Beard Best Wine Program award, Cat is the recipient of numerous accolades, including multiple times for Boston Magazine's Best of Boston awards for both Best Sommelier and Best Wine Programs. Other accolades for her work include Wine Enthusiast Magazine's Menton in "Top-100 Wine Restaurants", for "Best Wine Bar” via Improper Bostonian for her wine program at Boston's The Butcher Shop. The Boston Globe’s Devra First has described Cat Silirie's food and wine pairings during her tenure at Menton as “transcendent with every course” and Kay Rentschler of the New York Times wrote of Cat as “Boston’s pre-eminent sommelier”.

About the Book: Clementine in the Kitchen

Clementine in the Kitchen by Samuel Chamberlain (as Phineas Beck) is a charming memoir and cookbook recounting the adventures of a New England family and their talented Burgundian cook, Clementine, across pre-war France and Massachusetts. It showcases her introducing authentic French cuisine to American households, blending humor with over 170 classic recipes

There are no refunds or exchanges available for the Gastronomy and Wine Program events. Should a guest need to cancel their registration, their registration fee can be applied to a future class. Cancellations are accepted up to one week prior to the event to avoid loss of purchase.

Upcoming Events

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Cooking Workshop

(SOLD OUT) The Art of Duck in French Cooking with Chef Jérôme Bergère

GASTRONOMY & WINE PROGRAM: YOUR FRENCH CULINARY ARTS AND WINE JOURNEY

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

The French Library is delighted to present this cooking class from our Gastronomy & Wine program. Guided by excellence, this program is designed to educate you in the fine art of cooking and oenology with a focus on different regions of France. Alsace is famous for its hearty, rustic dishes that combine rich flavors with a deep appreciation for locally sourced ingredients.