The epitome of effervescence and centerpiece of celebration, Champagne has become a universal emblem of good fortune, and few can resist its sparkle In Champagne, Uncorked, Alan Tardi journeys into the heartland of the world’s most beloved wine. Anchored by the year he spent inside the prestigious and secretive Krug winery in Reims, the story follows the creation of the superlative Krug Grande Cuvée. Tardi also investigates the evocative history, quirky origins, and cultural significance of Champagne. He reveals how it became the essential celebratory toast (merci Napoleon Bonaparte!), and introduces a cast of colorful characters, including Eugène Mercier, who in 1889 transported his "Cathedral of Champagne,” the largest wine cask in the world, to Paris by a team of white horses and oxen, and Joseph Krug, the reserved son of a German butcher who wound up in France, fell head over heels for Champagne, and risked everything to start up his own eponymous house. In the vineyards of Champagne, Tardi discovers how finicky grapes in an unstable climate can lead to a nerve-racking season for growers and winemakers alike. And he ventures deep into the caves, where the delicate and painstaking alchemy of blending takes place--all of which culminates in the glass we raise to toast life’s finer moments.

The spectacular science behind champagne's effervescence Uncorked quenches our curiosity about the inner workings of one of the world's most prized beverages. Esteemed for its freshness, vitality, and sensuality, champagne is a wine of great complexity. Mysteries aplenty gush forth with the popping of that cork. Just what is that fizz? Can you judge champagne quality by how big the bubbles are, how long they last, or how they behave before they fade? And why does serving champagne in a long-stemmed flute prolong its chill and effervescence? Through lively prose and a wealth of state-of-the-art photos, this revised edition of Uncorked unlocks the door to what champagne is all about. Providing an unprecedented close-up view of the beauty in the bubbles, Gérard Liger-Belair presents images that look surprisingly like lovely flowers, geometric patterns, even galaxies as the bubbles rise through the glass and burst forth on the surface. He illustrates how bubbles form not on the glass itself but are "born" out of debris stuck on the glass wall, how they rise, and how they pop. Offering a colorful history of champagne, Liger-Belair tells us how it is made and he asks if global warming could spell champagne's demise. In a brand-new afterword, he updates the reader on new developments in the world of bubble science and delves even more deeply into the processes that give champagne its unique and beautiful character. Bubbly may tickle the nose, but Uncorked tackles what the nose and the naked eye cannot—the spectacular science that gives champagne its charm and champagne drinkers immeasurable pleasure.

The epitome of effervescence and centerpiece of celebration, Champagne has become a universal emblem of good fortune, and few can resist its sparkle In Champagne, Uncorked, Alan Tardi journeys into the heartland of the world's most beloved wine. Anchored by the year he spent inside the prestigious and secretive Krug winery in Reims, the story follows the creation of the superlative Krug Grande Cuv'e. Tardi also investigates the evocative history, quirky origins, and cultural significance of Champagne. He reveals how it became the essential celebratory toast (merci Napoleon Bonaparte!), and introduces a cast of colorful characters, including Eugè Mercier, who in 1889 transported his "Cathedral of Champagne," the largest wine cask in the world, to Paris by a team of white horses and oxen, and Joseph Krug, the reserved son of a German butcher who wound up in France, fell head over heels for Champagne, and risked everything to start up his own eponymous house. In the vineyards of Champagne, Tardi discovers how finicky grapes in an unstable climate can lead to a nerve-racking season for growers and winemakers alike. And he ventures deep into the caves, where the delicate and painstaking alchemy of blending takes place -- all of which culminates in the glass we raise to toast life's finer moments.

The story of Tony Lema, one of the brightest stars on the PGA Tour in the mid-1960s, winner of the 1964 British Open, is a story of love, faith and redemption. Raised by his mother, Clotilda, after his father's death when Tony was 6 years old, he overcame a troubled youth. His mother, an incredibly strong and hardworking woman, instilled a deep faith and devotion to God which he always struggled to balance with his sometimes wild side. He began winning on the PGA Tour only after meeting and falling in love with Betty Cline, who became his wife. As he later admitted about his career, "When we became serious, I became serious." After his first victory, at the Orange County Open in October of 1962, he treated the press to champagne thus earning the endearing nickname, "Champagne Tony." In 1964, he went on a tear winning four events, including the British Open, in a six-week stretch. In the process, he became a superstar and enjoyed the lifestyle his stardom provided. This promising and glamorous life was ultimately cut short when a small plane carrying him and his wife Betty ran out of fuel and crashed in 1966.Uncorked, The Life and Times of Champagne Tony Lema tells the story of his troubled youth, wild times as a head pro at Ruby View golf course in Elko, Nevada, his experiences as a bachelor on the PGA Tour, the romance with Betty and the trials and tribulations of making a good living as a professional golfer. With a cast of characters including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Fred Corcoran, the Duke of Windsor and even the Pope, Uncorked reveals a story full of action, adventure, love and faith, and ultimately, redemption.

Nikki Sands was like every other aspiring actress—waiting tables between jobs. But Nikki had taken serving wines to heart. She knew enough to impress Napa Valley’s golden boy, Derek Malveaux, who offered her a job at his vineyard. And though Nikki may have left her dreams of stardom behind, the world of wine is ripe with intrigue—and the seeds of sleuthing are planted… Nikki has just set foot on Napa Valley’s rich soil when she realizes her new job may not be as safe as she thought. First off, Derek Malveaux is disconcertingly sexy. Second, his top winemaker is dead in the bushes outside Nikki’s cottage. It doesn’t take a connoisseur of foul play to know something’s taken a terrible turn…

Inside Tips from Top Wine Experts Michael Mondavi, Jacques Pépin, Gina Gallo, and Kevin Zraly are just four of the contributors to Wine Secrets—a compilation of tips and tricks from today’s top wine experts, with advice on everything from buying and tasting to cooking and pairing. Readers will discover: • How to find the best wines by sticking to the classics • How to judge whether a wine is “good” • How to act like you know what you’re doing when ordering wine • How to guesstimate wine style from packaging clues • How to taste wine like a pro • And much, much more!