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Summary: From the legendary winemaker, a straight-forward recipe book
Review: C.J.J. Berry's "First Steps in Winemaking" was such a smash hit that he was inundated with requests for more recipes. He responded with "130 New Winemaking Recipes." Berry certainly delivered what the title promised, and tens of thousands of home winemakers were better off for it. Most of the ingredients are mainstream and easily found. Some are rather obscure outside of England. But every recipe is clear, unambiguous and makes decent wine. While there is no duplication of recipes between the two books, there are variations of the same. But each variation produces its own unique wine with its own bouquet and flavor, and that makes each recipe unique as well. The beginner will not find the detailed explanations of the basic steps in winemaking Berry's first book was so noted for. He was not rewriting his first book. He was adding to it. The title should warn the buyer that this is a recipe book, not a primer. But beginners will love and cherish this book anyway. When used in conjunction with "First Steps...," it doubles the reader's collection of recipes. And, perhaps most importantly, the recipes are presented alphabetically instead of by the month the primary ingredients are harvested in England (see my review of "First Steps in Winemaking" for it's presentation format). This is a solid addition to any home winemaker's library. You may not ever want to make onion wine or oak leaf wine or any of the more esoteric wines found herein, but isn't it nice that you can if you want to? (Incidentally, onion wine is very good!) If you'd like to expand your vinous horizons, buy this book and use it. You certainly won't regret it.
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