Delectably brief essays that tell you only what you need to know to enjoy wine. There are wine encyclopedias, bibles, and guides—this is not one of those books. It doesn’t contain everything, just the really important stuff: the truly key wines, grapes, regions; tips about wine buying, aging, and storage; and useful explanations about tasting notes and whether or not vintages really matter. In short, this book covers the real absolutes that you need to know about wine.With the pithy wit that readers of her columns have come to expect, Lettie Teague breaks down the stumbling blocks that often intimidate us and clears up the myths that cloud our understanding. A series of mini-essays cover the essentials in a fun, omnibus fashion. The tone is sometimes irreverent, sometimes opinionated, but always practical. For instance, there are entries such as "The Unbearable Oakiness of Being," "Can Wedding Wine Be Good," and "Why You Really Need Only One Glass." Other entries may provoke some lively debate, such as "Men Are from Cab, Women Are from Moscato" and "In Defense of Wine Snobs." The opposite of a didactic textbook, this volume is not meant to be read from start to finish. Instead, like wine itself, it encourages small contemplative sips. It is a companion for the modern taster, a concise and curated collection of tidbits to satisfy anyone with a lively curiosity and palate.

Wine into Words, 2nd edition, contains nearly 8000 entries, thousands of annotations covering everything wine has touched: art, literature, music, history, food, winemaking, grape growing, poetry, politics, religion, and war, and hundreds of biographical sketches of the men and women who pioneered wine's development and recorded its history.--Amazon.com.

Meet the Governor who read the Bible to Sally Rand; English Bob, the nose-biter, and all the luscious damozels, in this fabulous potpourri of stories by Billy Rose, author of the syndicated column PITCHING HORSESHOES. Here is the magic that won 18,000,000 newspaper readers for Billy Rose, the little guy who has crowded into one lifetime such unusual distinctions as (1) giving dictation to President Wilson, (2) combining dampness and damozels into the world’s first Aquacade, (3) going into the nightclub business because he wanted to wear a black hat and meet some girls. “The contents of this book could almost be summarized on a picture-postcard: ‘Having a wonderful time. Wish you were here.’ But Billy Rose does more than wish you were there. He takes you there and lets you share the fun.”—Deems Taylor “Billy Rose is New York’s most sparkling troubadour. Billy came out of a bonfire called Broadway. His book is full of its quick blaze, its sudden warmth and seven wonders.”—Ben Hecht “To me, Billy Rose is the Uncle Remus of Broadway. His book combines nostalgic incident with notes on a weird array of characters. If the Book-of-the-Month doesn’t take it, Billy ought to buy his own month and show them.”—Fred Allen

The subject of Wine and Words is the central role that wine plays in the literature, history and religion of classical and medieval Europe. Drawing on original sources from the Bible to Chaucer and Dunbar, Hanneke Wilson examines myths and legends about the origins of viticulture; drunkenness and moderation; women and wine; the mixing of wine and water, and ideas of 'old' and 'new' wine. The drunkenness of Noah, the cult of Dionysus, the ancient Romans' ban on women drinking wine, the drinking habits of Alexander the Great---these are some of the fascinating topics covered in this thematically arranged book. Finally, the final chapter and the Epilogue look at the development of methods of preservation and storage of wine, from the classical amphora to the modern bottle. Wherever possible, sources are examined in their original languages (mainly Greek and Latin), but English translations are supplied throughout, making this book accessible and interesting to both scholar and interested general reader.

“Can I just be Marissa, please? I want to be hilarious and sexy and smart and insanely knowledgeable about wine.” —Mindy Kaling A fresh, fun, and unpretentious guide to wine from Marissa A. Ross, official wine columnist for Bon Appétit. Does the thought of having to buy wine for a dinner party stress you out? Is your go-to strategy to pick the bottle with the coolest label? Are you tired of choosing pairings based on your wallet, instead of your palate? Fear not! Bon Appétit wine columnist and Wine. All The Time. blogger Marissa A. Ross is here to help. In this utterly accessible yet comprehensive guide to wine, Ross will walk you through the ins and outs of wine culture. Told in her signature comedic voice, with personal anecdotes woven in among its lessons, Wine. All the Time. will teach you to sip confidently, and make you laugh as you're doing it. In Wine. All The Time., you’ll learn how to: • Describe what you’re drinking, and recognize your preferences • Find the best bottle for you budget and occasion • Read and understand what’s written on a wine label • Make the perfect pairings between what you’re drinking and what you’re eating • Throw the best damn dinner party your guests will ever attend • And much more

Featuring a fresh layout, revised maps, and more detail than ever before, the seventh edition of Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide offers collectors and amateurs alike the ultimate resource to the world's best wines. Understanding that buyers on every level appreciate a good deal, Parker separates overvalued bottles from undervalued, with wine prices instantly shifting according to his evaluations. Indifferent to the wine's pedigree, Parker's eminent 100-point rating system allows for independent, consumer-oriented, inside information. The latest edition of Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide includes expanded information on Spain, Portugal, Germany, Australia, Argentina, and Chile, as well as new sections on Israel and Central Europe. As in his previous editions, Parker provides the reassurance of a simple number rating, predictions for future buying potential, and practical overviews of regions and grapes. Altogether, an indispensable resource from the man the Los Angeles Times calls “the most powerful critic of any kind.”