The New York Book of Wine

Being a native New Yorker I was delighted to learn of this book. One of things that I hate is being in Manhattan and not knowing where to find things, like a wine bar for example. Now at least I have the beginnings of where to go to have a wine by the glass or purchase my favorite bottle of Shiraz. The book is set-up so that it is a VERY easy, breezy read. I picked this book up last night at the mall and was half-way through it my the time I got home. Being a wine nut, not just a hobbyist, I can tell you that the listing of specialty wine shops in NYC is worth the price of the book. It also gives the best description, one that I have been touting for years, of NYC, on page 67, that I have ever read. I do have two minor complaints with the book. Firstly, it is a bit light on the wine bar scene. I know of at least five more wine bars that definitely needed to be included. My other complaint is that it is a bit light when it comes to substance. Points are made in just a few sentences and that's it. Certain topics and sidebars throughout the book definitely could have been flushed out in greater detail. This I found very surprising given the fact that the authour is an ex-Wine Spectator contributor. Their writers usually go on and on so I found it ironic that the text was a bit laid back. I also found it funny that the author said that the Wine Spectator is the best wine magazine out there. Would he have said anything different? Overall, a good effort.

This is a well-researched and highly entertaining read. For someone who loves wine (like me) but can't remember from one dinner to the next what to order (also, alas, like me), it is an excellent guide. It fits in a pocket (I'm not going to carry Hugh Johnson around) and is chock-full of great tips & no-nonsense info about enjoying wine in and around and from New York. But the best thing I can say about the book is that the author seems to love wine for its own sake, not because he's trying to prove anything or show off. On the first page, Debord writes, "The decision to go snobby is yours and yours alone. I advise against it." This sums up the philosophy of "The New York Book of Wine" and sets the tone for a volume that's as witty and tasty as it is underpriced.

I found this book to be well written, informative and educational. It was a good read and will be very helpful in my future wine purchases even though I do not reside in New York. The author's writing style held my interest and the information in Chapter Six should help people interested in a wine weekend realize that they are not limited to Napa.