Rating: 
Summary: Laymans terms but eloquent in description, yet concise
Review: Being a novice in the wine arena, I wanted a book to help me navigate such daunting stores as Sam's Wines in Chicago (a home depot of wine) - and this book did the trick. While the recommendations are sufficient, the book leaves you wanting to try and sample wines intelligently.
Rating:
Summary: attitude is everything
Review: Brecher and Gaiter may be the luckiest journalists alive. They were able to make their hobby into an integral part of their career in a way that seems to enhance the hobby itself. Neat trick.In what is essentially an expansion of their weekly WSJ column, Brecher and Gaiter offer warm, unintimidating advice on a variety of wine-related subjects. Reading this book reminds me of the particular joys of learning about wine. There is no downside here. The more you know about what you're pouring, the more you'll enjoy it. One thing you'll notice is that since this book was published in 1999, the wines listed are pretty much no longer available. As sad as this is (it'd be great to duplicate some of their tastings), this isn't a book that was really about recommending specific wines. Rather, it serves as a reminder that the whole point of wine drinking is the experience. A wonderful resource for a novice or expert, this book manages to convey the pleasure that is possible in wine appreciation.
Rating:
Summary: attitude is everything
Review: Brecher and Gaiter may be the luckiest journalists alive. They were able to make their hobby into an integral part of their career in a way that seems to enhance the hobby itself. Neat trick. In what is essentially an expansion of their weekly WSJ column, Brecher and Gaiter offer warm, unintimidating advice on a variety of wine-related subjects. Reading this book reminds me of the particular joys of learning about wine. There is no downside here. The more you know about what you're pouring, the more you'll enjoy it. One thing you'll notice is that since this book was published in 1999, the wines listed are pretty much no longer available. As sad as this is (it'd be great to duplicate some of their tastings), this isn't a book that was really about recommending specific wines. Rather, it serves as a reminder that the whole point of wine drinking is the experience. A wonderful resource for a novice or expert, this book manages to convey the pleasure that is possible in wine appreciation.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best
Review: I don't consider myself dumb. I'd like to think I'm not totally unsophisticated. But for years, each time I made the mistake of reading about wine, I came away thinking of myself as a classless cretin. The result: I went out of my way to avoid wine. If only John and Dottie had been writing about wine years ago -- I hate to think what I've missed. For the first time in my life, I've become a devoted reader of a wine column -- theirs, in the WSJ. More importantly, because of them, I've discovered the joys of wine. Their inviting and informative style, captured so well in this and their later books, gave me the courage to trust my own opinions and to become more adventurous in my selections. They combine deep experience with a refreshing absence of snobbery -- they tell me all I need to know, and let me do the rest. I wholeheartedly recommend this book -- without question, the best of its kind.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book to get started on wine with ...
Review: I have been a wine connoisseur for 30 years, and have read many books on wine. If you could have only one book on the shelf about wine, I would recommend The Wall Street Journal Guide to Wine! This guide is thoroughly enjoyable and contained just the right mix of tasting notes, helpful information, history and anecdotes. I feel it has something to offer to wine lovers at every level of experience, and I purchased many gift copies for friends and family. I eagerly await the authors' next edition.
Rating:
Summary: Ultimate in Readability!
Review: I have purchased a few books on wine, only to throw them down in disgust due to the "high-snobbery" factor. Alas, Gaiter and Brecher have written a delightful book, full of personal anecdotes, tips, and tastings. There is nothing worse than the myth that the aura of wine need be intimidating to be enjoyed. Brecher and Gaiter share their passion for wine in a way that makes you want to run out and buy wine by the case. It's a book that makes you downright comfortable ordering a glass of wine to go with your grilled cheese sandwich (I'd suggest a riesling.) I wish more authors would put the delight they find in the enjoyment of wine into their writing. If you don't know anything about wine, or if you know everything about wine, you'll be bound to enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Ultimate in Readability!
Review: I have purchased a few books on wine, only to throw them down in disgust due to the "high-snobbery" factor. Alas, Gaiter and Brecher have written a delightful book, full of personal anecdotes, tips, and tastings. There is nothing worse than the myth that the aura of wine need be intimidating to be enjoyed. Brecher and Gaiter share their passion for wine in a way that makes you want to run out and buy wine by the case. It's a book that makes you downright comfortable ordering a glass of wine to go with your grilled cheese sandwich (I'd suggest a riesling.) I wish more authors would put the delight they find in the enjoyment of wine into their writing. If you don't know anything about wine, or if you know everything about wine, you'll be bound to enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable Reading
Review: I would recommend "Wall Street Journal Guide to Wine" (WSJGtW) as a secondary or tertiary book, after "Wine for Dummies" or "Windows on the World Wine Course" as primary and "The Wine Bible" or "Oxford Companion to Wine" as secondary. The information is worthwhile, there just is not an abundance of it and it is more of a coffee-table book. The writing style is great, much like we would expect from WSJ. The personal notes are entertaining and not overdone, all the while being informative. I did not get a sense of the authors being snobs, as others have noted. I found it informative about the variety of wine types and good wineries to watch for. Enjoyable reading.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable Reading
Review: I would recommend "Wall Street Journal Guide to Wine" (WSJGtW) as a secondary or tertiary book, after "Wine for Dummies" or "Windows on the World Wine Course" as primary and "The Wine Bible" or "Oxford Companion to Wine" as secondary. The information is worthwhile, there just is not an abundance of it and it is more of a coffee-table book. The writing style is great, much like we would expect from WSJ. The personal notes are entertaining and not overdone, all the while being informative. I did not get a sense of the authors being snobs, as others have noted. I found it informative about the variety of wine types and good wineries to watch for. Enjoyable reading.
Rating:
Summary: There isn't a simpler guide out there
Review: If you love Dottie and John's column in the WSJ on Friday, get this book. If you don't read the column, then get the book and start reading the column. It's full of great information for wine beginners and those who have just a hint of wine snobbery. They helped me with fresh and creative ways to enjoy wine and answer all the basic questions, like what wine goes with this food, or what bottle should I bring to so and so's party.
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