"Meet Woody Robins, a bon vivant, devil-may-care wine guru who specializes in investigatory work involving rare artifacts of a vinous nature. Amidst the backdrop of world-famous Napa, California wine country, and upbeat, cosmopolitan ''city by the Bay'' San Francisco, Woody finds he's bitten off more than he can chew when hired by a wealthy grape grower to retrieve his stolen, rare, priceless, large bottle of red Burgundy that once belonged to the French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. Tested by a colorful cast of characters, deceit, blackmail, intrigue, dealings with the mob, and even murder ensue. With the help of his dozy boyhood chum, girlfriend, aunt, and detective buddy with San Francisco's finest, he eventually manages to unravel the case, but not before he learns a thing or two about himself."--From dust jacket flap.

Wine enthusiasts: raise a glass! The global wine market has expanded rapidly in the past few years and is forecasted to increase through 2019. Consumption, new wine styles, online wine purchasing, and a growing younger population of wine enthusiasts are all contributing factors. In Wine For Dummies, the authors—both recognized wine authorities and accredited Certified Wine Educators—share their expertise, revealing the latest on what's in, what's out, and what's new in wine. Featuring information on both classic and cutting-edge wines, it’s packed with everything you need to hold your own in tasting rooms, shops, and beyond! Includes updated information on navigating wine shops and selecting wines in restaurants Covers the latest expert advice on buying wine online thanks to the online retail boom Provides updated vintage charts and price guidelines Offers information on trends in wine, including packaging innovations such as wine in a can, kegs, and boxes Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate wine enthusiast, this is your no-nonsense guide to choosing wine, understanding wine lists, exploring new varieties, serving, sharing, and more!

Jay McInerney on wine? Yes, Jay McInerney on wine! The best-selling novelist has turned his command of language and flair for metaphor on the world of wine, providing this sublime collection of untraditional musings on wine and wine culture that is as fit for someone looking for “a nice Chardonnay” as it is for the oenophile. On champagne: “Is Dom Pérignon worth four bottles of Mo‘t & Chandon? If you are a connoisseur, a lover, a snob, or the owner of a large oceangoing craft, the answer . . . is probably yes.” On the difficulty of picking a wine for a vegetarian meal: “Like boys and girls locked away in same-sex prep schools, most wines yearn for a bit of flesh.” On telling the difference between Burgundy and Bordeaux: “If it’s red, French, costs too much, and tastes like the water that’s left in the vase after the flowers have died, it’s probably Burgundy.” On the fungus responsible for the heavenly flavor of the dessert wine called Sauternes: “Not since Baudelaire smoked opium has corruption resulted in such beauty.” Includes new material plus recommendations on the world’s most romantic wines and the best wines to pair with a meal

If you read wine reviews, you're already either amused or confused by the soaring language wine writers often use to describe what they're smelling and tasting. But do you always know what they mean? Have you ever sipped a complex white and sensed what's so colorfully described as a peacock's tail? Have you ever savored a full-bodied red only to detect the ripe acrid smell of a horse stall? If not, you're in for a treat, because these terms and thousands more are all here to amuse, dismay, enlighten, inspire, puzzle, and utterly shock you . Welcome to the rich linguistic universe of wine speak: a world where words and wine intersect in an uncontrolled riot of language guaranteed to keep you entertained for hours. The author, a lifelong lover of both wine and words, has compiled and organized this unique thesaurus of 36,975 wine tasting descriptors into 20 special collections extracted from 27 categories so you can locate exactly the right term or phrase to express yourself clearly or to understand others. May your path across the galaxy of wine be paved only with labels from the very best bottles on earth. Or, much more cautiously, with wines that could introduce you to angel pee, citronella, eastern European fruit soup, Godzilla, iodine, ladies' underwear, mustard gas, old running shoes, rawhide, hot tar roads, bubblegum, sweaty saddles, crushed ants, kitchen drains, or even turpentine.

An overview on tasting wine and understanding the lingo This friendly guide cuts through the snobbery sometimes associated with wine and tells you what you need to know in down-to-earch language. With straightforward information on grape varieties and wines they produce, you'll be sipping and serving wine like a pro! Open the book and find: When to serve red, white, or both How to remove a cork without making a mess Advice on the proper way to sniff wine like an expert Words to describe how wine tastes

"This is the new 'gotta have' guide to Oregon's wine country."—Jean Yates, President, Avalon Wine, Corvallis This guide to Oregon’s burgeoning wine scene provides exhaustive coverage of the entire state, from the renowned Willamette Valley to the distant Umatilla Valley. It is the guidebook for oenophiles who want to learn about Oregon's wineries, and for anyone who enjoys great wine and longs to see more of this diverse and beautiful state. Included are wineries with and without official tasting rooms as well as those that are open only by appointment. The authors also provide a wide array of dining and lodging suggestions and spotlight unique attractions, recreation options, and natural wonders for travelers to seek out in their spare time. As in every Explorer's Great Destinations title, detailed maps and the authors' insider knowledge make this book a must-have for travelers and residents alike. A unique and practical Great Grape Destinations checklist rounds out this invaluable resource. Use it to help you enjoy your trip to Oregon's vibrant cities and towns, stunning countryside, and—of course—distinctive wineries. Includes: history, getting around, wineries, lodging, dining, attractions, recreation, shopping, and more!

The first—and still the best—guide to Oregon’s wine country from well-connected local wine experts. This guide to Oregon’s burgeoning wine scene covers the entire state, from the renowned Willamette Valley to the remote Snake River Valley. While Moore and Welsch focus on touring the state’s wineries, they also provide a wide array of dining and lodging options and spotlight unique recreation, attractions, and natural wonders to seek out in your spare time.