This Son of York by Anne Easter Smith

A NOVEL PAIRING because I love books and wine.

If I’m not reading contemporary women’s fiction, I am all over historical fiction, especially pre-medieval, medieval, European history. I have read each of the award-winning author Anne Easter Smith’s historical fiction novels beginning with A Rose for the Crown about Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York and Cecily Neville, Duchess of York and their twelve children, only seven of them reaching adulthood and two of which were crowned kings. This Son of York highlights Richard the eighth son who became king by default once sixth son, George the Duke of Clarence, was charged with treason for raising arms against his brother King Edward IV and was executed allegedly by drowning in a barrel of Malmsey wine, and after the princes in the tower went missing. Anne is active in the Richard III Society which took part in the discovery of the remains of Richard III in September of 2012, then published Richard’s story with compassion and accuracy as he grew up with a great love for his family, his twisted back, and was the last king to die in battle. Even if you haven’t read her other books, This Son of York stands alone , but will entice you to pick up Anne Easter Smith’s other five books in the series.

Since Malmsey, also called Malvasia, is closely related to the York/ Plantagenet families due to George drowning in a barrel of his favorite wine, it makes sense to do a little research about its 2000-year-old history. Malmsey was originally a sweet white wine imported from Greece and is now basically a fortified Madeira. Malmsey is a robust wine that goes well with any dessert and bridges both dessert wines and liqueurs. Time is a great factor for Malmsey. Its notes begin light with vanilla, molasses, walnuts, and some exhibit honey notes. As it ages, it is said to becomes darker, with touches of dark chocolate, coffee, cinnamon and spice, plus dried fruit notes. Luckily since I’m not a big dessert eater, this wine goes great with fruit and cheese. Suggested was a semi-soft, crumbly, creamier with age, white stilton cheese (which isn’t as stinky as blue stilton cheese) or a medium, crumbly Wensleydale cheese from Yorkshire. This Son of York is one thousand times better than what was listed above! ;)