Description:
You know that you're not supposed to sniff the cork when the sommelier hands it to you in a restaurant, right? Well, don't feel bad if you don't. The cork is handed to you to show that it is in good condition and not rotting (which would allow oxygen to come in contact with the wine), and that only one end is wet, thus proving that the bottle was stored correctly. Unlike most other alcohol consumption, which is indiscriminate, wine is something that must be learned and practiced like a sport or a musical instrument. Yet most of us order the house red and politely sniff the cork, because we haven't a clue. The Everything Wine Book is a first step toward a vinifera education (the rest is practice, practice). Like a James Michener novel, albeit much shorter, The Everything Wine Book starts with the beginning of Western civilization, moves on to a discussion of geology, and winds up in the New World, where very fine, affordable pinot noir can be had. At 288 pages, it's a lesson that goes down easy. The authors cover all the major varieties, discuss wine production, explain why one vintage is superior to another, conduct a taste tour of the world's wine-producing nations, reveal the nuances of serving wine, tell what it means to let a bottle of wine "breathe," and even provide advice regarding hangover prevention. So drink and be merry, secure in the knowledge that when you're done quaffing this book, you'll be able to authoritatively select perfectly wonderful wines in your price range. --Brenda Pittsley
| 
