Drinkology: Wine: A Guide to the Grape

As a wine reviewer, I find this book to be a great resource. I constantly refer to the book to increase my knowledge and understanding of wines, regions and varietals. This is absolutely my number one resource. This book is great for wine drinkers of all experience levels. The second chapter gives a very good exposure to the vocabulary of wine. I can't think of a single wine-related topic that was left out of this book. It covers grape growing, harvesting, fermentation. There's a section on corkscrews and a section on winery tours. Even the most casual of wine drinkers will find this book to be fascinating and very educational. The writing style is easy to read and light-hearted. I really appreciate the small size of this book - it's only ~6" X 4". It's small enough to tuck into a backpack or purse while on a winery tour or vacation. Cheers!

Once again, James Waller enlists the aid of his partners, Verve and Wit, to present his views on the enjoyment of alcohol consumption. Every few pages I felt inspired to go out and buy a bottle of wine, but I couldn't put down the book. Being a happy drinker myself, I'm delighted when one of my favorite comestibles is described by a connoisseur with a sense of humor. Oenologists can seem drier than their wines. To the dry, I prefer the droll. Enjoy the reading. It's (almost) as much fun as the drinking.

Once again, you find yourself in a restaurant, looking down at the wine list-or standing in the middle of your local wine shop, staring at the endless bottles of wine. But you don't know the first thing about wine. That's where Drinkology WINE comes in. In the introduction, Waller starts with a few promises. He promises not to assume that the reader knows anything about wine. And he promises to focus on wines in a moderate price range, for the average drinker (as opposed to the wine collector). And, for the most part, he sticks to his promises. The book starts with the basics. You'll learn about the vocabulary as well as the winemaking process. Then you get into the details-and this is where you'll want to get out your highlighters and a pen and paper. Waller goes on to describe the main varieties of both red and white wines-with advice about which ones to try and which ones to avoid. And he ends with a trip through your local wine shop, traveling from one winemaking country to another. Waller puts readers right at ease. There's nothing snobbish about him. His style is light and relaxing, with even a little bit of humor thrown in from time to time. That's not to say, of course, that the book isn't still overwhelming at times. With all the different varieties and vintages and wine-makers to cover, how can it not be? But Drinkology WINE does an excellent job of making such a vast topic feel a little more manageable. After reading this book, you won't be an expert, but you'll definitely feel more knowledgeable. More importantly, you'll feel more confident about stepping into the wine shop-or choosing from the wine list. And that's a big step in the right direction.