The Library Vault

There have been many times when I have started a blog post and I was unclear on my next read. Eventually, something, or someone, sparks an inspiration for reading. Well, sometimes that inspiration just does not come. Sometimes we are not meant to read. Or we pick a new book up and, about twenty pages in, we decide not now. Or simply just, no. Nothing is filling that cup. It happens to the best of us. We are human and we are readers. There are times in our lives when reading is not the answer.

As you read this, you may be shocked because it is coming from a librarian. I think that is what makes it more honest and transparent. Librarians can be in a reading dry spell. I will dismantle the idea that librarians sit around and read all day. We do not. Do we wish we could? Yes. But isn’t that true for many professions? Well, maybe. Or the desire is not there; you ground yourself back to your roots and check in with some other hobbies or relationships. The universe could be implying that reading is not the answer, and to look elsewhere. We all need to listen to our bodies a little more closely, it tells us so many things.

A reading rut, what does it mean? It means it is okay not to be reading. Go paint, go write, go play video games, go watch that Netflix show, go out to dinner with friends, or simply just call your mom. Go and be yourself without reading and it is perfectly fine. As an avid reader, it is a nice reminder. There are many readers out there that need to finish a book, even if they are not enjoying the characters, the plot, or they simply do not like the book to its entirety. It is growth, as a reader, to step away and say no. People reach this at various times in their lives. I think this is where grounding comes back into play and to be in tune with your needs. It has been difficult to write a blog post about books when you have not had the inspiration to read books. So, in place of that is a soapbox, claiming it is perfectly natural to not read all the time and allow space for other aspects of our lives. If I am to pair a wine with this downtime, it would be a time of exploration.

If reading has halted for a span of time and if wine is a hobby, it is time to try new wines and a variety of wines. Attend a wine tasting or shop at your local packy. Now, I have just returned from a wonderful library conference where the topic of Artificial Intelligence has been at the forefront. AI is a conversation piece and important conversation happening globally, but also in libraries. Since I was unsure what to read, I resorted to ChatGPT as a tool of exploration to decide which wine to drink. The results were interesting…

The question I asked was, “How to decide on a wine when you are unsure what to drink” The answers are below…

Great question — choosing a wine when you’re not sure what you want can actually be fun if you have a few guidelines. Here’s a simple way to think about it: 

🍽️ 1. Start with what you’re eating (or not)

* **Red meat / rich dishes:** Go for **reds** like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Malbec.

* **Chicken, pork, or lighter fare:** Try **medium-bodied wines** like Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Chardonnay.

* **Seafood or salads:** Pick **whites** like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or a crisp Rosé.

* **No food / just sipping:** Choose something **balanced and easy-drinking** — maybe a sparkling wine, Rosé, or a light red (like Beaujolais or Lambrusco).

🌡️ 2. Think about the setting

* **Warm day or outdoor setting:** Lighter, chilled wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Prosecco).

* **Cold or cozy evening:** Fuller-bodied reds (Cabernet, Syrah, Rioja).

* **Celebratory mood:** Sparkling wines (Champagne, Cava, or Prosecco).

🧭 3. Use a “flavor mood” shortcut

Ask yourself what kind of *flavor experience* you want:

* **Crisp and refreshing:** Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Champagne.

* **Fruity and soft:** Pinot Noir, Merlot, Moscato.

* **Rich and bold:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Chardonnay (oak-aged).

* **Earthy and savory:** Chianti, Rioja, Bordeaux.

🏷️ 4. When in doubt, look for balance

If you’re buying from a store or restaurant and unsure:

* Ask the staff for something **“balanced and versatile”** in your price range — that’s wine-speak for crowd-pleasing.

* Or go with a **Rosé** or **sparkling wine** — they pair with almost anything.

🧠 5. Try a “wine roulette” approach

Pick one familiar grape and one new grape each time. Over time, you’ll figure out your preferences (e.g., “I like light, acidic whites” or “I prefer smoky reds”).

ChatGPT proceeded to have a back and forth “conversation.” I finally asked what if I am not reading anything. It stated…

Ah, a lovely twist — *no book*, just you and a glass of wine. That’s actually one of the best times to choose based purely on **mood** rather than story.

Here’s how to decide when the only plotline is your own evening 🍷✨
 
1. Think in *moods*, not pairings

🕯️ **Cozy & calm** (quiet night in, maybe music or candlelight)

→ **Merlot** or **Pinot Noir** — soft, smooth, comforting.

→ If you prefer white: **Oaked Chardonnay** — warm and buttery, like a blanket in a glass.

🌇 **Reflective / introspective** (you’re thinking, journaling, or daydreaming)

→ **Malbec**, **Tempranillo**, or **Cabernet Franc** — wines with depth and a little mystery.

→ They unfold slowly, just like thoughts do.

🌸 **Lighthearted / content** (good day, sun out, you’re unwinding)

→ **Rosé** — dry if you like sophistication, slightly off-dry if you want an easy sip.

→ **Prosecco** if you want bubbles and brightness.

🌧️ **Melancholy but peaceful** (rainy day, soft music, cozy sweater energy)

→ **Pinot Noir** or **Chianti** — elegant, slightly earthy reds that feel like comfort food for the soul.

→ **Riesling** if you want a touch of sweetness to balance the mood.

🎉 **Playful / social / spontaneous** (friends over, or just celebrating yourself)

→ **Sparkling wine** — Champagne, Cava, or Lambrusco.

→ **Light chilled red** (like Beaujolais Nouveau) — joyful and conversation-friendly.

🧭 2. Or, go “blind tasting adventure”

If you truly don’t know what you’re in the mood for:

1. Go to a wine shop and pick **one bottle each** of red, white, and rosé under your budget.

2. Try a small pour of each over three nights.

3. Notice which you *crave more* — that’s your palate telling you your current mood.

Do I find this a little alarming? Yes, I do. ChatGPT is providing a substantial answer. It wants me to pick wine on the decision of mood rather than something else. Wine pairing is important depending on food, yes, and mood, but also just taste. The most important part of wine is taste and not mood. It is something we consume, our moods fall into taste. It is our taste, that we hold as an individual that defines our mood. To generalize, ChatGPT could provide a sufficient answer that is pleasing to the masses. But for wine, we always need to bring it back to its found purpose. That purpose is taste.

This was a fun little experiment to determine if Artificial Intelligence could recommend a wine when we are unsure what to drink. Since, it is okay not read when you do not know what to read, isn’t it okay not drink when you don’t know what to drink? I think so, it’s funny AI did not provide that as an option, it only provided a mood-focused answer based on consumption. What does that say about AI? Something to think about…