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Today we finally drop the episode covering the winner of our first Substack subscriber poll!

BREASTS AND EGGS is the first novel from award-winning Japanese author Mieko Kawakami to be translated into English (though her other novels have all been translated in the few years since!)

Kawakami is a failed J-Pop singer (she released 2 albums during a J-Pop decline) who discovered she loved writing the lyrics more than the music. She turned this into poetry and prose on a blog during the heyday of blogging and drew in 200,000+ reader PER DAY for her writing.

THE WINES:
Dallas' Pairing:
Domaine Ciringa “Fosilni Breg” Sauvignon Blanc, Slovenia

Dave's Pairing:
2022 Nonesuch Mencia, Silvaspoon Vineyard, Alta Mesa, California

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In this episode we tackle the British "comedy panel" show where different celebrities (mostly comedians) compete to accomplish a number of creative tasks in the most outlandish and/or embarassing ways possible. We cover all of the first "Series" (what the Brits call a "season") which ran 6 episodes back in 2015.

We're joined by special guests, comic creators MIKE SHEA (Miskatonic High) and KEVIN JOSEPH (Tart) who currently have a crossover between their two books being done as a narrative trading card set! Make sure to check that shit out!

DAVE'S WINE PAIRING:
NV Bolney Bubbly Sparkling, Sussex, England
Blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Muller Thurgau
A challenge worthy of the Taskmaster himself - make a wine in Britain that competes on the world stage! Thanks to climate change, this is actually happening, especially with quality sparkling wines. This gorgeous blend comes with all the crisp apple, yeasty brioche notes, and tingling effervescence you'd expect from a top quality sparkler.

DALLAS' WINE PAIRING:
W&J Graham's 20 Year Tawny Port
Amber, golden tawny color. An excellent bouquet, with a characteristic "nutty" character, such as almonds, and delicious mature fruit with hints of orange peel. Rich, sweet and smooth on the palate, it is perfectly balanced, with a long and lingering finish. Graham's 20 Year Old Tawny Port pairs extremely well with vanilla ice cream or crème brulee. Serve slightly chilled to appreciate the full complexity and sensuous pleasure of this wine.

MIKE'S NON-WINE PAIRING:
"Suicide" Soda Float aka Dentist's Lament aka The Amputator
Speaking of ice cream: something to match both the sweet zaniness of Taskmaster and the same of the comic card crossover between Mike's Miskatonic High and Kevin's TART, the "Suicide" (a name only us asshole Gen X'ers could have come up with) is when you pour a little of every soda at a soda machine into the same cup. Add ice cream. Et voila! Instant health issues.

KEVIN'S BEER PAIRING:
Black and Tan (Harp's Lager + Guiness, 50/50)
Ingredients: Harp pale ale and Guinness stout
Preparation: Fill a large Irish pint glass halfway with Harp, then slowly pour Guinness over the back of an upside-down spoon into the glass. The Guinness will settle on top of the Harp due to its lower density.
Taste: A good black and tan blends the stout's robust flavor with the pale ale's refreshing taste.

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Make sure to listen to Part 1 where we discuss the history of the band, the album, and talk about the wines we chose to pair with it!

Today, we go track by track through the album to showcase just how lovely every single song is, and what a tragedy it was that the band fell apart in the making of the album.

We're joined by San Francisco-based Sommelier and music-trained vocalilst MARIA BANSON, writer of the BRUNELLO BOMBSHELL Substack and podcaster of THE WINE PRESS news.


THE WINES:
Maria's Wine Pairing:
2019 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe
A rush of red berries, raspberries, and red currants is wrapped by a layer of sweet spices. The mouthfeel opens with a gorgeous balance, great energy and refined tannins, and the aftertaste echoes the aromatics with lingering complexity.

Dave's Wine Pairing:
2020 Heritage de Saint-Mont Saint Mont
An interesting wine from the little known Saint-Mont region, composed of 65% Gros Manseng, 30% Petit Courbu and 5% Arrufiac. Pear and crisp green apple with a hint of gunflint.

Dallas' Wine Pairing:
2020 Napa Valley Ribolla Gialla, Matthiasson Vineyard
The 2021 is available to order direct from the winery, but the 2020 can still be found online at various stores willing to ship! An "orange wine" made in the ancient style of Northern Italy.

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