Bloodlines & Bottles: A Gothic Guide to Wine by Archetype

From Champagne to Tempranillo, The Lace Ledger pairs iconic grapes with archetypal moods, morsels and midnight pursuits.

Old world wine, like archetypes, carries its own mythology. Born of monastic cellars, peasant toil and royal feasts, each bottle carries centuries of storied ritual and survival. 

The vineyards of France, Italy and Spain are scribes of empire and earth, where the struggle of vines against stone and sun gave rise to traditions that still define luxury today. Each grape carries generations of soil and sacrifice; every glass is an invitation to toast to its unique history. 

Below, we’ve matched each archetype with the grape that best captures her essence, including tasting notes, carefully curated pairings and a soundtrack to transform a pour into a persona.