The Wine Avenger

Rating:
Summary: A must read if you love wine and laughter
Review: Among the jungle of wine books available, Gluckstern's stands alone. In a clear, trusting and friendly tone, he demystifies wine, debunks many myths about it, and provides the confidence and know-how to go out and explore wine on your own.

After reading this, you'll rarely get taken again by paid-off, know-nothing wine shop sales clerks, and you'll be able to navigate smoothly around restaurant wine lists. This book is long overdue and Gluckstern deserves some sort of public service award.

Rating:
Summary: Witty and reassuring
Review: An enjoyable read and what seems like good advice-- a rare combination. I'm not exactly a wine idiot, more like a wine apprentice. Living in Europe these past five years has given me a pretty clear sense of what I do and don't know.

Gluckstern's book goes a long way toward filling in some of my more obvious gaps, and a really liked his ascerbic (even occasionally cranky) way of giving his views. He covers topics such as Quality, Oak (the MSG of wine), the different kinds of grapes, wine housekeeping tips, wine in restaurants and wines suggested to go with food.

A good gift for yourself or others.

Rating:
Summary: Illuminating and Absolutely Informative
Review: Every time I go to a fine restaurant and see the wine list, I get the feeling that I get when I'm in an interview and have just been asked a question that I prayed they wouldn't ask. It's worse when there are a lot of people at dinner and the waiter asks you with a stoic expression, "and what will you drink, sir?" Sweat trickles down my forehead and after an interminable length of time (i.e. three seconds) I say, "Uh... water's fine for me."

If this is you, Gluckstern's book is a great way to learn about wine. Truly, there are so many wine books out there that are bigger than dictionaries and so generous with metaphors that even when you finish reading, you have no idea what you've just read.

But this book is different. Informative, funny, incisive, this is a great introduction. And a very logical book too, with a very practical and no-nonsense approach to wine (and food). And there are moments in the book when I literally burst out laughing.

I've learned a lot from just these few pages, and needless to say, now when I'm in a restaurant, I can fortunately tell the difference between a chianti and a pinot grigio.

Rating:
Summary: Illuminating and Absolutely Informative
Review: Every time I go to a fine restaurant and see the wine list, I get the feeling that I get when I'm in an interview and have just been asked a question that I prayed they wouldn't ask. It's worse when there are a lot of people at dinner and the waiter asks you with a stoic expression, "and what will you drink, sir?" Sweat trickles down my forehead and after an interminable length of time (i.e. three seconds) I say, "Uh... water's fine for me."

If this is you, Gluckstern's book is a great way to learn about wine. Truly, there are so many wine books out there that are bigger than dictionaries and so generous with metaphors that even when you finish reading, you have no idea what you've just read.

But this book is different. Informative, funny, incisive, this is a great introduction. And a very logical book too, with a very practical and no-nonsense approach to wine (and food). And there are moments in the book when I literally burst out laughing.

I've learned a lot from just these few pages, and needless to say, now when I'm in a restaurant, I can fortunately tell the difference between a chianti and a pinot grigio.

Rating:
Summary: All you need to shut a wine snob up.
Review: I love Willie, and recommend this book to anyone interested yet intimidated by the world of wine. His whole thesis is that most of us drink our wine with food, and the market is flooded by expensive wines that are almost completely incompatible with the food we eat today. Thus, readers of this book experience a wealth of insight about inexpensive wines that will truly be enjoyable with meals at home or out in restaurants. He explains the often complex world of European wines (most of which continue to represent a better value than their New World counterparts, both in cost and taste), inflicts a mortal wound on the logic of those for whom chardonnay and merlot are the beginning of white and reds everywhere, and generally has a lot of fun presenting his world to the layman. There isn't an ounce of pretension in this book, and because of that, its accessible to everyone, even those who already have a bit of wine knowledge. It should be noted, also, that he's no gifted amateur. He's been in the business for decades, and has written the wine lists at several excellent restaurants. Cheers!

Rating:
Summary: All you need to shut a wine snob up.
Review: I love Willie, and recommend this book to anyone interested yet intimidated by the world of wine. His whole thesis is that most of us drink our wine with food, and the market is flooded by expensive wines that are almost completely incompatible with the food we eat today. Thus, readers of this book experience a wealth of insight about inexpensive wines that will truly be enjoyable with meals at home or out in restaurants. He explains the often complex world of European wines (most of which continue to represent a better value than their New World counterparts, both in cost and taste), inflicts a mortal wound on the logic of those for whom chardonnay and merlot are the beginning of white and reds everywhere, and generally has a lot of fun presenting his world to the layman. There isn't an ounce of pretension in this book, and because of that, its accessible to everyone, even those who already have a bit of wine knowledge. It should be noted, also, that he's no gifted amateur. He's been in the business for decades, and has written the wine lists at several excellent restaurants. Cheers!

Rating:
Summary: One Hour
Review: One of the cover statements is "become a wine/food genius in one hour". I don't know about "genius", but it does put one well ahead of the pack, which might be considered genius. There is a lot of information in a brief easy-to-read book. Many of the myths (e.g., some 100-point rating systems) are exposed, which is sure to cause lack of support from some advertising-based magazines. Regardless, there is a lot about grapes, areas, storage, purchasing at wine stores and at restaurants, etc. Basic questions for new wine lovers and very good answers.

Rating:
Summary: One Hour
Review: One of the cover statements is "become a wine/food genius in one hour". I don't know about "genius", but it does put one well ahead of the pack, which might be considered genius. There is a lot of information in a brief easy-to-read book. Many of the myths (e.g., some 100-point rating systems) are exposed, which is sure to cause lack of support from some advertising-based magazines. Regardless, there is a lot about grapes, areas, storage, purchasing at wine stores and at restaurants, etc. Basic questions for new wine lovers and very good answers.