December already?? After a full year of reading adventures, it’s time to finish strong with the genre that started it all—Classics! That’s right, we’re going to dust off the dust jackets of longstanding stories and set the table with sips and snacks that have stood the test of time.

What better way to raise a glass to your favorite masterpiece than with a bona fide Old Fashioned? Timeless, pure and full-flavored, this classic cocktail brings together the spicy richness of rye whiskey, the subtle sweetness of simple syrup and just a dash of bitters. Mulled wine or cider also make wonderfully warm options to enjoy with a book and a blanket on a cold winter’s day.

When it comes to classic accompaniments, specialty cheese is the way to go. While some cheeses come and go, there are a few standby choices that never go out of style. One prime example is Stilton, an English cow’s milk blue cheese. Salty, earthy and one of the most buttery of the blues, this age-old favorite crumbles well and has a unique umami quality that begs for another taste.

Another time-tested and tasty cheese is one of our resident cheese pro’s all-time favorites: 6-Month Manchego! Handcrafted in the La Mancha region of Spain with milk from free-range Manchega ewes, this cheese is aged according to old-world tradition in natural caves until the ideal flavors develop. At six months, Manchego develops a caramel, nutty flavor that’s second to none. Some might say it’s aged to perfection, much like these classic titles…

Ready to read? Crack open your favorite piece of classic literature, or explore a new-to-you volume from ages long past. For a little adventure, try Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson or The Odyssey by Homer. Romance and realism? Jane Austen all the way! And if you’re in the mood for a seasonal read, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is the perfect pick. Explore the world from your reading nook with The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu, Three Kingdoms attributed to Luo Guanzhong or Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. From Victor Hugo to Leo Tolstoy, Virginia Woolf to the Brontë sisters, the list goes on forever!

For additional classic reads to cozy up with this winter, check out your local library or book store. To discover a variety of other classic sips and snacks to go with them, drop by Nugget Markets and talk to our talented cheese specialists and wine stewards. Happy reading!