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At Poupon's Table: A Novel
Peter Mayle's
A Good Year
meets
Sideways
in the delightful debut novel from a James Beard Award-winning American wine merchant, the renowned Kermit Lynch.
Known as the man who introduced rosé to the US, legendary wine importer Kermit Lynch is as lauded for his writing as he is for his impeccable taste in wines of every variety and vintage. His thoughtful, witty notes on the subject led to the modern nonfiction classic Adventures on the Wine Route, which has been hailed as "one of the finest American books on wine" (The New York Times) and was recently celebrated with a twenty-fifth-anniversary edition.
In his debut novel, Lynch presents Kendrick Thomas, an easygoing American wine merchant happily residing in Provence. Ever eager to visit old friends and enjoy all the gastronomic pleasures available in France, he often finds himself on the doorstep of Henri Poupon. Built as ruggedly as a boxer, thick of finger and feature, Poupon is as physically untamed and earthy as his skill as a chef is delicate and exquisite.
In the vein of Peter Mayle, Kendrick and Poupon set off on a road eating, bickering, laughing, and of course, sampling wine both good and bad. From troublesome business associates to Poupon's shady ex-girlfriend to an appalling new cell tower tarnishing the local tranquility, At Poupon's Table is a riotous jaunt through the French countryside that always circles back to food—and of course reds, whites, and everything in between.
Known as the man who introduced rosé to the US, legendary wine importer Kermit Lynch is as lauded for his writing as he is for his impeccable taste in wines of every variety and vintage. His thoughtful, witty notes on the subject led to the modern nonfiction classic Adventures on the Wine Route, which has been hailed as "one of the finest American books on wine" (The New York Times) and was recently celebrated with a twenty-fifth-anniversary edition.
In his debut novel, Lynch presents Kendrick Thomas, an easygoing American wine merchant happily residing in Provence. Ever eager to visit old friends and enjoy all the gastronomic pleasures available in France, he often finds himself on the doorstep of Henri Poupon. Built as ruggedly as a boxer, thick of finger and feature, Poupon is as physically untamed and earthy as his skill as a chef is delicate and exquisite.
In the vein of Peter Mayle, Kendrick and Poupon set off on a road eating, bickering, laughing, and of course, sampling wine both good and bad. From troublesome business associates to Poupon's shady ex-girlfriend to an appalling new cell tower tarnishing the local tranquility, At Poupon's Table is a riotous jaunt through the French countryside that always circles back to food—and of course reds, whites, and everything in between.
- GenresFiction
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 30, 2025
77 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 20, 2025
If you like long descriptions of wine and meals held together by a razor-thin plot, this is the book for you. Enjoyable but flawed. One of the most cringey date scenes ever written. If anyone ver kissed me and said "yum," I would run in the other direction.
December 7, 2025
Great novel Kermit
I always have enjoyed Kermit’s writing. His monthly newsletter, Adventures on the Wine Route. This was a fun read that makes you want to head over to France, Corsica and Italy. Eat and drink well.
I always have enjoyed Kermit’s writing. His monthly newsletter, Adventures on the Wine Route. This was a fun read that makes you want to head over to France, Corsica and Italy. Eat and drink well.
October 25, 2025
a fun book
November 30, 2025
3.5 stars. Took me a bit to get into it. If you aren’t in to wine and food this is not the book for you. Thankfully I am very in to both!
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December 30, 2025This was appropriately light but fun and well written.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews