Presents a retrospective collection of essays and columns on wine, covering such topics as terroir, glassware, grapes and regions, and prominent figures in wine making.
Matt Kramer, longtime Wine Spectator columnist and author of the classic Making Sense series of wine books, now turns his palate toward Italy. Though Italian wine is the most popular wine among consumers, it remains puzzling to most wine lovers who wouldn't know a Barolo from a Barbaresco. Though shrouded in mystery, Italian wine has some of the most exciting and affordable varieties being produced today. Kramer is a trusted companion in the wine store, telling his readers the essentials: which wines can't be missed, and which are safe to skip. Organized like a “Shopper's Guide,” this unique book offers the lowdown on the most dazzling wines in every price range-their regions, traditions, and which foods to match with them. With Kramer's trademark wit and intelligence, here is an invaluable tool to finding treasures in the local wine shop.
Called by Hugh Johnson "the best book yet written on Burgundy", this complete guide to the fascinating world of the wines of Burgundy is now available in paperback. Kramer also authored Making Sense of California Wine, a nominee for the IACP/Julia Child Award for Best Book on Wine, Beer, or Spirits in 1992.
There's a world of words to describe wine, but only seven you need to know to understand it. Wine is one of the most written about beverages in our history, with dictionaries dedicated solely to the words and phrases used to describe it in the ever-expanding world of self-professed wine connoisseurs. Now, the "great demystifier of wine” (Booklist), highly acclaimed wine expert Matt Kramer, explains in a lucid, accessible and conversational style that there are only seven words that you really need to remember to enjoy wine with anyone.
This new edition of Matt Kramer's classic guide to wine features a new preface and an all-new chapter that covers changes and advances in winemaking since first publication in 1989. The superbly written text explains everything an oenophile needs to know, including the creation and naming of wines, wine cellars, presentation and glassware, pairing wine with food, and much more. Kramer explores connoisseurship through the practical devices of "thinking wine" and "drinking wine," making for a most enjoyable and engrossing journey through one of life's most dependable pleasures.
"Matthews brings a scientist's skepticism and scrutiny to widely held ideas and beliefs about viticulture--often promulgated by people who have not tried to grow grapes for a living--and subjects them to critical examination: Is terroir primarily a marketing ploy that obscures our understanding of which environments really produce the best wine? Can grapevines that yield a high berry crop generate wines of high quality? What does it mean to have vines that are balanced or grapes that are fully mature? Do biodynamic practices violate biological principles? These and other questions will be addressed in a book that could alternatively be titled (in homage to a PUP bestseller) On Wine Bullshit"--Provided by publisher.
Oenophiles know: Matt Kramer is one of the worlds most distinguished and insightful writers on wine. Author of the classic book Making Sense of Wine, Kramer has written about the subject for 32 years-and his full-page column in Wine Spectator has appeared in every issue for the last 14 years. The time is ripe for a retrospective, and here it is, covering topics from terroir to glassware to the various grapes and regions and personalities. Most of the essays are drawn from his work in Wine Spectator and The New York Sun, along with excerpts from his books. The material remains fresh, vibrant, and compulsively readable.
Naturalness is a hot topic in the wine world. But what exactly is a natural wine? For this book, best-selling wine writer Jamie Goode has teamed up with winemaker and Master of Wine Sam Harrop to explore the wide range of issues surrounding authenticity in wine. Sam Harrop initially trained as a winemaker in New Zealand.
The only comprehensive, up-to-date guide to wineries of the eastern United States! Look out Napa Valley. From Maine to Virginia, a surprising number of vintners are producing impressive wines worthy of a celebratory toast. Or two. Once thought to be a region dominated by quaint farm wines, the eastern U.S. now boasts a number of highly coveted wines. Pinot Noirs and Merlots, Rieslings and Gewürztraminers are being bottled all along the Atlantic, so even the most discriminating wine drinker can find something to please the palate. Here is the only comprehensive, up-to-date directory to nearly 300 wineries across New England and the mid-Atlantic. Wineries in thirteen states are covered: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Invaluable as both a buying and touring guide, East Coast Wineries offers insights into the winemaking world and puts the reviews of the experts at your fingertips. Features include: A short history of the winery A listing of wines offered by that winery, plus recommended buys Reviews by wine experts from major newspapers, magazines, and journals Directions and hours of operation A listing of annual wine festivals and other special events Whether you're a wine connoisseur or a beginner, East Coast Wineries is the book to read. Cheers!
Renowned Burgundy authority Allen Meadows, aka the Burghound, guides the reader on a fascinating and richly detailed journey through the most legendary wines in Burgundy - specifically those of Vosne-Romanée, historically referred to as The Pearl of the Côte. Pearl is packed with useful information on the history of the underlying terroir of each of Vosne's grands and premiers crus with original maps, art work and stunning photography. Specific grower listings and the reference standard producers for all of the major appellations, as well as collecting tips are included. For those who wish to become an expert on the wines of Vosne-Romanée and Flagey-Echèzeaux, there is simply no better way than to pour a glass of your favorite Vosne while enjoying the most complete exposition on Vosne ever written.