Peruse our selection of wine books, regional guides, journals, enology and wine-themed humor. Or enjoy a wine tour in person.
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The definitive, illustrated guide to the best food and wine partnerships, from two experts on the subject. The book is divided into food groups–such as vegetables, fish, meat–and is then broken down by individual ingredients. Recipes are used to demonstrate the points with the key matching wines. Useful boxes cross-reference to other ingredients and cookingtyles, while wine checklists allow quick-reference.
More than 100 photographs taken by well-known wine industry photographer Sara Matthews have been collected in this beautiful new book. Matthews creates striking images that emphasize the play of shape, color, light and shadow, and captures the unique diversity and spectacular beauty of Chile’s vineyards and wineries.
This gorgeous book is actually two in one: page after page of recipes for fabulous desserts combined with all the information anyone will need on choosing a dessert wine. A user-friendly chart cross-references wine types against typical dessert flavors for quick and easy matching advice. Add to that mouthwatering photographs of the recipes and anyone can discover a whole new world of sweet wines and the desserts that love them.
A Wine Lover’s Diary is the perfect record-keeping book for long-time oenophiles and newcomers to buying, storing and drinking wine. Beautifully detailed illustrations enhance each page for recording discoveries, preferences and cellar inventories. This book provides the templates for the notations that a serious wine drinker needs to record.
Glass in one hand, fork in the other, Brian St. Pierre explores the regional wines and cuisines of Italy in this dream of a cookbook. As you’d expect from the author of A Perfect Glass of Wine, St. Pierre brings to the table fabulous recipes and inspired wine pairings. Each wine suggestion is designed to enhance the flavor of the recipe. The sweeter side of the wine spectrum is also represented with such treats as zuppa inglese with strawberries served alongside a glass of sparkling prosecco–a finish with flourish to a remarkable meal. With a glossary of wine terms and gorgeous photographs of both the wine and the food, this stylish cookbook is as beautiful as it is informative.
Japanese food is not commonly associated with wine, yet many dishes may be perfectly paired with red and white, dry and sweet wines. Reflecting the increasing popularity of wine as an accompaniment to ethnic foods, this is a great book for wine lovers seeking new ways to stimulate their palates and enhance the enjoyment of their favorites. Best-selling cookbook author Machiko Chiba provides easy-to-follow recipes for fifty-eight delightful dishes, all illustrated in full color, while wine expert J. K. Whelehan recommends the best wine to savor with each.
In a restaurant, do you always let somebody else order the wine? When you hear someone say, Sherry, do you think, Who’s she? Does trying to recall the difference between a Pinot Noir and a Pinot Gris defeat you? Does selecting a wine from a wine shop’s shelves unnerve you? Suffer no more. With Drinkology Wine, James Waller, author of the successful cocktail handbook Drinkology, offers a guide to understanding wine that’s written with you-the novice oenophile-in mind. Witty and accessible, Drinkology Wine begins with a basic wine vocabulary. Waller demystifies wine tasting, showing you how to do it just like a pro. Stylish in its presentation yet assuming no prior knowledge of the subject, Drinkology Wine is an invaluable resource for the wine neophyte and an entertaining refresher course for the more experienced oenophile.
Written by a vintner and science editor with twenty-five years experience, The Way to Make Wine is the most readable and reliable handbook among the many winemaking guides. In engaging conversational prose, Sheridan Warrick shows that making your own wine is not only easy, but also fun. Geared to everyday wine lovers who want to drink well, save money, and impress their friends, this book reveals everything needed to make delicious wines–both reds and whites–from start to finish. Warrick demystifies winemaking and enables amateur vintners to equip a home winery, procure top-quality grapes, run a flawless fermentation, and enjoy their wine–its nose, its body, and finish–with renewed awareness and appreciation. With straightforward illustrations of key steps, this book offers one-stop shopping for anyone who’s ever dreamed of making table wines at home.
The Vikings called North America Vinland, the land of wine. Giovanni de Verrazzano, the Italian explorer who first described the grapes of the New World, was sure that they would yield excellent wines. Thus, from the very beginning the promise of America was, in part, the alluring promise of wine. How that promise was repeatedly baffled, how its realization was gradually begun, and how at last it has been triumphantly fulfilled is the story told in this book. In print in its entirety for the first time, A History of Wine in America is the most comprehensive account of winemaking in the United States, from the Norse discovery of native grapes in 1001 A.D., through Prohibition, and up to the present expansion of winemaking in every state.
2006 IACP Award Winner: Wine, Beer, or Spirits Category! Now in paper. A History of Wine in America is the definitive account of winemaking in the United States, first as it was carried out under Prohibition, and then as it developed and spread to all fifty states after the repeal of Prohibition. Engagingly written, exhaustively researched, and rich in detail, this book describes how Prohibition devastated the wine industry, the conditions of renewal after Repeal, the various New Deal measures that affected wine, and the early markets and methods.
ROBERT HOLMES, the only two-time recipient of the Travel Photographer of the Year Award, has more than 30 books in print and has had photographs published in prestigious travel magazines like …
""Wine Library"" TV’s Gary Vaynerchuk travels the globe tasting wines and making new discoveries that he shares bottle-by-bottle with an eager national audience via his hugely popular video blog posts and e-mail newsletters. Since the 2006 launch of his site he has rated hundreds of wines and earned a cult-like following of fans. Gary avoids the pomposity and pretense of traditional wine education, focusing instead on helping average people to develop their palates and better enjoy wine. Now Gary unveils his first list of favorites and recommendations in Gary Vaynerchuk’s 101 Wines: 2008. Gary’s wine picks for 2008 span many prices, nations, grapes, and styles, ensuring that wine novices and sophisticated oenophiles alike will expand their wine horizons while learning more about the drink they love.
Looking for a way to up your wine IQ in just a few sips? Welcome to wine education with a fresh spin. No mammoth encyclopedias, just simple, hip tips that will help you navigate the world of wine quickly and with confidence: Surefire techniques for not getting ripped off in restaurants Complete food pairing guides for simple flavors and more difficult foods including sushi, salads, pizza, and bbq; Label-reading essentials; Phonetic tips for difficult-to-pronounce wine terms; Must-have wine gear Best crowd-pleasing party wines; Recommended producers in the hottest wine-making regions throughout the world, and much more. Courtney Cochran is a certified sommelier and founder of forward-thinking wine businesses Your Personal Sommelier and HIP TASTES Events in San Francisco.
In this sumptuously illustrated and wonderfully informative book, Jacques Fanet invites us on an entertaining tour of the world’s most celebrated winegrowing regions to discover the characteristics of the bond that ties the vine to its place of birth: the terroir. Interviewing growers and researchers in France, Spain, Italy, California, Chile, Australia, and South Africa, Fanet looks for the soil in the soul of each wine. He takes us back millions of years to show how ancient bedrock, faults, tidal flow, sedimentation and volcanic activity contribute to the precise and individual character of each terroir, making the great winegrowing regions what they are today. Great Wine Terroirs provides wine enthusiasts with everything they will want to know about different soils and climates, the relationship between international grape varieties and the soil in which they grow, and how these factors affect the taste of the wines. Incl. color geological illustrations and timelines, glossary, geographical index, and index of soil types and grape varieties.
Despite its vast repertoire, variety, and recipes bursting with flavor, Hungarian cuisine is one of the most under-appreciated and unknown European cuisines. This book is a practical guide that contains the vocabulary you’ll need, dozens of restaurant, cafe, and shop reviews; and descriptions of Hungarian dishes and wines. The Hungarian wine industry is young, dynamic, and relatively little known outside of the country, which makes sampling its wines deliciously adventurous. The book will ensure that readers have memorable eating and drinking experiences. Throughout Food Wine Budapest there are also sidebars providing local color and in-depth information.
A tour guide to Okanagan wineries with succinct profiles of wineries and people, fascinating facts, as well as recommendations to the region’s best wines. This edition has 30% new material and includes maps, addresses, contact info and web addresses.
This book takes readers on an informative and picturesque stroll through the sun-drenched regions of the south of France, which in the past 15 years has dramatically revamped its wine-growing and vinification procedures. Each region, with its own quaint village, is photographed through the changing seasons, and the most prestigious estates are explored in detail. From white to red, from subtle to full-bodied, the expert makers of these new-generation wines invite us to share in their passion. In addition to complete information about the region and its vineyards, Wine Tours in the South of France provides practical information like ideal food matches for the region’s delicious wines.
California’s famous wine country offers both casual and serious bicyclists spectacular views, charming small towns, celebrated cafC)s, and, of course, many of the finest and most beautiful wineries in the country. But finding the best rides hasn’t been easy — until Wine Country Bike Rides. For a romantic Sunday date or a relaxing family outing, for day-trippers or die-hard cyclists, here are more than 20 perfect rides through the backroads and countryside of Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties. Complete with an easy-to-follow map of each route and detailed information about more than 100 wineries and other sights along the way — plus convenient places to rent bikes, eat, and stay the night — this helpful guide includes all you need for a wine country visit that’s refreshing for both body and soul.
A comprehensive guide to understanding, choosing and enjoying wine. This handy reference is packed with practical, up-to-date and easy-to-follow information that will turn even the most clueless consumer into a confident wine enthusiast. The book explains how and where wine is made, what it should taste like, and how to tell the difference between a great but modestly priced wine and an expensive but disappointing one. Illustrations, sidebars, maps, lists and did you knows make Clueless About Wine a pleasure to read. There’s also a handy WineSpeak glossary and numerous quick-glance charts on pairings. Of value for those with some wine knowledge as well as for neophytes, Clueless About Wine simplifies the mystique of confusing technology and shows how easy and enjoyable it is to choose and enjoy wine with confidence.
For decades, David Downie and Alison Harris have been exploring Burgundy–they walked clear across it in 2006–reporting on their finds for top magazines and newspapers worldwide. This is the third Terroir Guide they have collaborated on and perhaps the most detailed and personal of any so far. Burgundy is one of Frances great food and wine regions. Many of the worlds most sought-after wines are produced there; so, too, are some of the most underrated, underpriced white wines in France. Each of Burgundys five wine districts is thoroughly explored in this guide, with recommendations on which wines to buy and which wineries to visit. Burgundys lush scenery distills the essence of French terroir, and each of its subregions has a distinctive character where the architecture and art reflect this storied diversity.
TOUR: Experience the natural beauty of the World Heritage area of the Lamington National Park. Enjoy spectacular views from Mount Tamborine, all the way to the coast. Wander through lush rainforest and listen to the birdsong of Bellbirds, Rosellas and Parrots. Take a tree top walk through this World Heritage forest. A day of amazing wilderness in the "Green Mountains".
TOUR: Discover the famous wines of the Veneto on an informative and appetizing half-day excursion by minivan. Traveling by minivan ensures you’ll enjoy the benefits of a small group tour.
TOUR: A beautiful sunset, Jazz, good wine and hor d’oeuvres aboard a magnificent catamaran! What a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours out on your Los Cabos holiday. Tropicat is a well equipped 65 foot (20 meter) catamaran with state of the art facilities at your service. This cruise is a great way to finish an already fantastic day in Los Cabos!
TOUR: Escape to the Hunter Valley on this 2-day tour from Sydney. Visit several Hunter Valley wineries whilst also having free time to try some of the many other activities available, such as hot air ballooning, cycling or horse riding. You will spend the night at the 4-star Hunter Resort before returning to Sydney the following day.
TOUR: Food and wine are a huge part of life in France and the area of Bordeaux is no exception. In fact, wine tasting in Bordeaux, one of the premier wine regions of France, is a truly wonderful experience and one of the most memorable of your time in this "wine tasting" hub.
TOUR: Join an amazing guided Kilauea Volcano bike tour in the Hawaii Volcano National Park, followed by wine tasting at the Volcano Winery. You’ll explore Kilauea Volcano, from its summit to the sea, as you bike down this active crater! A great family friendly adventure in Hawaii packed with thrills and fun!
TOUR: Enjoy a 3.5-hour wine trail tour exploring four of North Canterbury’s boutique vineyards including Mud House, Torlesse, Pegasus Bay and Waipara Springs, all producing a fine selection of both white and red wines.
TOUR: This tour invites you to taste a renowned wine of the famous Quinta de Santana winery and to explore the exuberant habits and tastes of the former Portuguese royalty.
TOUR: Taste the nectar of the gods on a wine-tasting afternoon tour from Rome to beautiful Frascati. On the only wine-tasting tour from Rome available, you’ll visit one of the oldest and most beautiful vineyards in the Frascati region. You’ll also enjoy a scenic drive through the famed Castelli Romani region surrounding Rome.
TOUR: Travel in style and take a luxury tour accompanied by your own private guide to one of the most famous areas of Tuscany. Alternating woods with vines and olive trees, this region is renown worldwide for its wine and countryside and unparalleled beauty.
TOUR: Seville is the perfect place for discovering the cuisine and wines of Andalucia. The city itself is considered by many to be the best place in Spain for tapas.
TOUR: isit two of San Francisco’s most popular attractions – Alcatraz and the Napa Valley wineries. After a relaxing day of wine tasting and a picnic lunch, return to busy San Francisco, only to explore the notorious Alcatraz prison the following day!
TOUR: Discover one of the largest wine regions in France with this private wine tour. Villeneuve, city of cardinals in the 14th century, will impress you by its medieval monuments: the Chartreuse, the Collegiate Church, the Tower Philippe le Bel, the Abbey and Fort Saint Andre.
TOUR: Enjoy a relaxing day as you head into the Portuguese countryside on a Private Wine Tour to Azeitao. Visit Bacalhoa Palace and sample the local Portuguese wines at two wineries. You even have an opportunity to taste the famous Azeitao cheese at your second winery stop.
TOUR: Leave the hustle and bustle of San Francisco behind and enjoy a day in the famed Napa and Sonoma wine countries. Taste various award-winning Sonoma and Napa Valley wines, relax on a tram tour of the Benziger Family Winery and learn about the art and science of biodynamic wine making. With a professional guide and expert narration, you’ll learn everything you’ve wanted to know about wine on this Sonoma and Napa Valley wine tour!
TOUR: This fascinating tour begins from your hotel where you will be collected by a luxury vehicle and begin your morning in Evora. The capital of the province of Alentejo, Evora houses the ruins of the Roman Temple, the Romanesque Gothic Cathedral, the Bones Chapel and the University.
TOUR: Take time out for a day trip into California wine regions of Napa and Sonoma Valleys from San Francisco. Travel through the famous countryside and discover some of California’s favorite wines.
TOUR: Take your taste buds on a trip to remember through Bologna on this private gastronomy tour. You’ll enjoy personalized attention from your English-speaking guide on this private tour of Bologna’s fabulous food highlights.
TOUR: Discover why the Californian wine country is one of San Francisco’s most popular day-trip destinations on this Muir Woods and Wine Country tour. This great tour combo takes you only to wine country, but also stops at Muir Woods for a stroll amongst the giant redwoods. You’ll explore a spectacular redwood sequoia forest at Muir Woods, then visit boutique Sonoma wineries for some superb wine tasting.
TOUR: Leave Sydney for the day to taste award-winning regional foods and wines on a wine-tasting tour of the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine-producing region. You’ll enjoy private vineyard inspections, gain insights into the wine making process, purchase premium Hunter Valley wines and enjoy the beautiful Australian countryside on your day trip from Sydney.
TOUR: Margaret River is known as one of the premium wine regions of Australia. Visit several wineries and taste some of the fine vintages available. Overnight in Margaret River and on the way back to Perth, discover some of her other attractions, such as the Eagles Heritage Wildlife Centre and Mammoth Cave. A must see tour for the wine lover!\n\nDay 1: Perth to Margaret River – Luxury coach transfer to Margaret River from Perth. Travelling south you’ll stop for morning tea (own expense) at Dawesville Channel. Continue south to the Margaret River Region and visit Xanadu Winery, one of the early established vineyards of the region for wine tasting and the chance to purchase from their extensive cellar collection.\n\nYour next stop is at Eagles Heritage Raptor Centre, where you will enjoy a picnic lunch. Then its time to experience a guided tour of Mammoth Cave, one of over 300 natural underground limestone caves in the district.
TOUR: Visit the towering Redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument and enjoy the California Wine Country on this relaxing two day getaway. The first day visits Muir Woods, the quaint town of Healdsburg and wineries in the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valley appellations.
TOUR: Join a full-day Yarra Valley wine tour and visit three of the region’s best known wineries: Yering Station, Rochford Winery and Domaine Chandon. Over lunch and a series of wine tastings, see why the Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s most picturesque wine regions on your Yarra Valley wine tour, the perfect day trip from Melbourne.
TOUR: A tour for the wine lover who is short on time while staying in Cape Town. Spend a few hours in the beautiful wine growing region of Stellenbosch, home to many of South Africa’s premier wine-makers. Try a local pinotage, made from a grape variety South Africa is world renowned for.
TOUR: The tours begin at various pick up locations throughout San Diego County and then crosses the border to pass through Tijuana, Mexico. Along the trip, you will enjoy breath taking views of the Pacific Ocean as you make your way through vibrant Mexican villages to the Valle de Guadalupe. Once a Russian settlement, Valle de Guadalupe is one of Mexico’s oldest wine regions, offering some of its best wines.
TOUR: See for yourself what the rest of the world has been talking about on a private full day trip to two of Chile’s most famous wineries. With a private guide and transportation from Santiago, you can enjoy a leisurely day learning about Chilean wine at Cousino Macul and Concha y Toro wineries.
