My very thoughtful parents gave me an Amazon gift card for Christmas since we wouldn't be going to their home this year and they didn't want to ship a ton of books to our house. I am now left contemplating what books I should buy. I have a few on my list and Matt gave me the Oxford Companion to Wine for Christmas already.
Currently this is my list:
How to Taste: A Guide to Enjoying Wine by Jancis Robinson
The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil
Red White and Drunk All Over by Natalie MacLean
Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2007
A History of Wine in America: From Prohibition to Present by Thomas Pinney
American Vintage: The Rise of American Wine by Paul Lukacs
The Accidental Connoisseur by Lawrence Osborne
What do you think? Any I should ditch? Any I should add? Thoughts on any of these books? Am I missing a quintessential tome that I just have to have in my collection? :)
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I have The Wine Bible and it has served me well over the past two years. Steve and I took it to Napa and it recommended specific reserve wines to try at various vineyards.
12/28/06, 7:15 PM
I would have to recommend "Adventures on the Wine Route," by Kermit Lynch and "A Hedonist in the Cellar," by Jay McInerey. The former I just finished and the latter I just started. Both are great reads.
12/28/06, 7:40 PM
Thanks Sarah. We should chat soon, I hope you had a good holiday and that you and Steve are doing well!
I appreciated the recommendations John. I'll be sure to put those in the queue as well. I had heard about A Hedonist in the Cellar, but not the other. Thanks!
12/28/06, 8:30 PM
I don't think you should buy this but it's a title worth remembering particularly if you have people who know little to nothing about wine asking for recommendations:
Oldman's Guide to Outsmarting Wine: 108 Ingenious Shortcuts to Navigate the World of Wine with Confidence and Style by Mark Oldman
It's fun to read, but it didn't teach me anything new.
12/30/06, 11:54 AM
I love Ruth Reichl's collection of wine writing from Gourmet called History in a Glass. The articles span from the 40s to the 90s and they read like a stroll through the past half century of wine tastes, wine history, and wine writing styles. It's also easy to dip in and out of, especially if it's on your bedside table for reading before you turn out the light!
12/30/06, 4:40 PM
Thanks for the tip Elizabeth. I'll keep that in mind for when someone asks me for a good beginner book.
Dr. Debs, that sounds like a really interesting read. I will have to check it out!
12/30/06, 5:18 PM
I think the Wine Bible is a fine book but it may not contain much new information if you are already familiar with how and where wines are produced. It was a great primer for me a year ago, though.
12/31/06, 3:36 PM
Sona
I have recently found the book Great Wine Made Simple to be a great book. Granted your level of knowledge is far beyond what the book it written but it would make an excellent gift for any friends who are looking to learn about the wine world in everyday terms.
FAK Stefanier
12/31/06, 7:48 PM