WRITTEN IN THE STARS: THURSTQUEEN REVEALS THE PERFECT WINE FOR YOUR ZODIAC SIGN
ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)
You’re one fiery, go-getting mofo. An as an Aries Moon who married a Pisces/Aries Cusp, I can say this with some personal experience. Spontaneous, courageous, and eager to try new things, Aries are all about coming out on top. There’s nothing new an Aries won’t try. Aries is also low-key the kid of the Zodiac, and loves to goof around and have a good time. The kid of the Zodiac requires a wine with major kid-like energy. This is why I would recommend a Pét Nat as the wine of choice for the Aries. Pét Nats are highly pressurized, wild, and fun sparkling wines made in the Method Ancestrale fashion. Be careful when opening a volatile Pét Nat as some of them can explode (but all y’all Aries folks are used to explosions, amirite? I kid, I kid.) Joking aside, these whimsical bubblers that can’t be tamed pair great with Aries’ impulsive, major kid energy.
TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)
Those born under the Taurus sign love to indulge in the finer things in life. Luxury is everything, and they also value stability, dependability and security. Taureans are more intellectual than many folks give them credit for, and they tend to spend quite a bit of time assessing things. Those who don’t understand this about the sign tend to interpret this as “lazy,” but in actuality that couldn’t be further from the truth, as Taureans just want to assess a situation from all possible angles before moving forward. I’d like to recommend a rich, buttery Chardonnay for my fellow Tauruses out there. Chardonnay is about as decadent a grape as they come, and is grown pretty much all over the world - so there will never be a short supply of it. A luxurious and reliable choice.
GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)
Nearest, dearest, wildest and weirdest Gemini. You’re probably one of the most misunderstood signs of the zodiac, because as a Gemini you have a minimum of 2 personalities, amirite? I’m saying all of this because - I AM A GEMINI, and we are as polarizing AF! But we’re also super smart, adaptable, funny, and cuot, obvs. Anyway, we’ve got a lot going on - you know what I mean? And such a complicated and misunderstood sign requires a complicated and misunderstood wine. That’s why I pick Gewurtztraminer, betch! A zany concoction of roses, lychees, tropical fruit, diesel fuel, and all that bat sh*t crazy that’s so darn drinkable. Gewurtz is a wine with so many personalities and it mirrors us Gems like no other varietal out there. Peep Gewurtztraminer from Israel, the Alsace, or Northern Italy, and you’ll be very happy.
CANCER (JUNE 21 - JUNE 22)
Ah yes, the crab. Cancers are such sweet beautiful souls, despite the fact that they put up more than their fair share of walls. Though not all Cancers open up right away, once they do, they are really quite sensitive and caring creatures. Cancers are also super loyal, and once they let you in, they’ve got your back and will be there for you no matter what. I think such a guarded sign that is deep down such a big softy deserves a wine that’s kind of similar. For Cancers, I’d suggest Barolo. A lot of Barolos are super big, tannic and intimidating wines at first - in fact some need to rest in bottle for several years before being opened. But once you let a Barolo breathe, these wines unfold with beautiful aromas of rose petals, tobacco, and truffles. Barolos are definitely wines that have the personality of a Cancer, tough on the outside, but beautiful if you give them some time.
LEO (JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)
Two words: attention whore. (I kid I kid, I actually have like 3 houses in Leo.) Anyways, my Leo friends, y’all deserve to have the red carpet rolled out for you at all times. You love to be the star of the show, and you absolutely love to celebrate (even when it involves celebrating yourself.) Leos are also highly creative people, and are natural born leaders. I mean, your sign is a freakin’ Lion, duuuuuh. Leos are great friends, extremely loyal, passionate about everything they do and put their heart and souls into romantic relationships. To me, Champagne is the quintessential Leo wine. I cannot think of a more fitting beverage for such a royal sign that loves to celebrate every day! Leos on a budget can hit up a bottle of Cremant de Loire or Italian Franciacorta for some more affordable sparkle.
VIRGO (AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22)
Virgos are some of the smartest, most grounded people around. This earth sign loves to get shit done and is very detail oriented. I feel like we could all use a little Virgo energy in our lives. Virgos are somewhat perfectionists, but are extremely practical. Virgos are the type of people that will do something over and over again until they get it right. And by right, I mean 100% perfect, with zero flaws. Just being around a Virgo is a very grounding experience, as they usually are the perfect picture of calm. Because of this, I recommend an equally mellow wine like a Sancerre (or a more affordable Sauvvy-B from the Loire Valley.) There’s a certain purity, serenity, and almost flawlessness about Sancerre I think Virgos would like very much.
LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22)
Libras are friendly, outgoing, and easy to get along with. They’re definitely one of the more balanced signs - and not just because their symbol is a scale. Libras love beauty, love, and artistic things. They’re all about keeping the peace, and get along with pretty much anyone. This is why I would recommend a GSM for Libras. GSMs are balanced, pretty, and friendly red wines that are blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvédre. You can find a lot of great GSMs from the Southern Rhône, or if you’re a Cali Wine person, Paso Robles and the Central Coast. They sort of have a universal appeal, as I’ve never met someone who has hated hardcore on one.
SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21)
Dark. Brooding. Maybe a little emo. Scorps are the Batman of the Zodiac, if you will. Scorps have been dealt a bad rap - much like the Gemini. But Scorpios feel sh*t on a super deep level. Despite the aura of mystery around them, they’re very sensitive souls and deep thinkers. They don’t really have time for a lot of BS, and prefer deep, serious relationships over shallow superficial ones. A serious and soulful sign deserves a deep and soulful wine. Which is why I’d recommend a Syrah. Syrah is definitely one of the biggest, most feral, inky grapes out there. Loads of tannin and mysterious black fruit, with NO CHILL WHATSOEVER. To appropriately get your brood on, check out cooler climate Syrah from Washington or the Northern Rhône. A perfect match for this mysterious sign.
SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21)
Sister of Brittney — as in “Spears,” thankyouverymuch. You are a brave warrior queen. Your quest for knowledge knows no bounds, and you will do literally whatever it takes to learn about stuff. You’re a huntress. Sagittarius’ ruling planet is Jupiter, and the motto for this planet is “Go big or go home.” Because of this, you need a BIG. EFFING. WINE. Ladies, gentlemen, and Sagittarians, I’d like to introduce you to: Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Franc is humongous, with loads of tannins and great acidity. Cabernet Franc is spicy, like those born under Sagittarius often are, with aromas of Jalapeño, Bell Pepper, and Poppin’ Red Fruit. Check out Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley - more specifically Chinon. If you’re interested in a bigger, fruitier wine, look for Cabernet Franc from the Napa Valley.
CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19)
You have exacting standards, and you expect the best. You don’t sugarcoat, and you’re ambitious AF. You don’t have time for bullsh*t, and you’re all about achieving monumental, epic things. You, my friend, are a Capricorn. Some people don’t understand you; they think you’re cold, opportunistic and calculating. But they just don’t know the real you. You do love to party - but only when it’s with your nearest and dearest, as you don’t let most people see you with your hair down. You come across as extremely serious, and your eye is always on the prize. For Caps, I suggest the ultimate Capricorn wine - Cabernet Sauvignon. This grape is considered by many to be, “the King of Grapes,” and is extremely serious and powerful, epitomizing all things Capricorn. Cabernet Sauvignon may be misjudged as closed off and austere - like a lot of Capricorns, but it’s truly a beautiful wine when opened.
AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18)
Rule breaker, maverick, revolutionary, you get the picture. As an Aquarius, you kind of march to the beat of your own drum - and that’s A-OKAY. You are extremely idealistic, and hate being tied down more than anything. Many would go so far as to describe you as a humanitarian, even. You stick to your values, even if it rubs some people the wrong way, and you do not believe in compromise. Because of this, I’d recommend an Orange Wine for all Aquarians out there. Orange Wine is essentially rosé with white grapes. White grapes rest on their own skins - us folks in the wine biz call these “skin contact wines” and leave behind a wine with a beautifully coppery-orange color. Orange Wines are unapologetically different, and they are very much within their own category. Some are easy going, some are super tangy and tannic. Their uniqueness makes them the perfect companion for any Aquarius. And, a lot of Orange Wines are natural wines with no lab created yeasts - making them appeal to the idealistic side of any Aquarius.
PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20)
Pisces is the last sign of the Zodiac, and it is said that as a sign, Pisces have absorbed every single lesson learned by all the other signs. Pisces are very sensitive creatures, with beautiful inner worlds. Some will even go so far as to say that this water sign has a tendency to develop psychic abilities. Pisces are creative creatures and hopeless romantics as well, always putting the needs of others before their own. Such a dreamy sign deserves and equally dreamy and etherial wine. I’m gonna have to go with Riesling on this one. Not only is Riesling a Pisces as well - its birthday is March 13 - but Riesling as a wine is as etherial AF. Dreamy, transparent, with a pulsing undercurrent of minerality and electric citrus - Riesling is the perfect wine for any Pisces to enjoy. For just a touch of residual sweetness to match the Pisces’ sweet and endearing personality, hit up some Riesling from the Mosel in Germany. Pair them with spicy food to have your world rocked.