Wine and Writing: MEET Residency in Saint-Nazaire

A polyglot collection of texts commissioned by Jean-Luc Danto, a wine merchant in Saint-Nazaire, celebrates the 30th anniversary of his shop Le Tastevin. The book features contributions from writers who have stayed in the MEET (Maison des écrivains étrangers et des traducteurs) residency, located in the iconic Building overlooking the port. These authors, including John Burnside, Patrick Deville, Giuseppe Conte, and Jens Smærup Sørensen, reflect on how Danto's wine—Muscadet, Chinon, and other Loire Valley vintages—facilitated a quasi-spiritual connection to the city. The texts draw parallels between wine tasting and aesthetic experience, comparing Danto to the philosopher Arthur Danto. The collection opens with Burnside's praise of conviviality, while Deville likens meals to celebrations. Conte writes of the bond between wine and friendship, and Sørensen honors vintners like Jo Pithon and Mark Angeli. The book is published by MEET, with Patrick Deville as literary director.