Gary Vaynerchuk's 101 Wines: Guaranteed to Inspire, Delight, and Bring Thunder to Your World (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: les calices, Côtes du Rhône-Villages, vintage port, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Meet the Grape (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

     Millions have logged onto Gary Vaynerchuk's Wine Library TV—watching him boldly and unconventionally rate hundreds of wines. Viewers are attracted to his youthful energy, unique voice, and often outrageous descriptions. Now, in Gary Vaynerchuk's 101 Wines, Vaynerchuk reveals his first ranked list of the most exciting and tantalizing spirits he has sampled while traveling the globe.

     Deeming himself "the wine guy for the average Joe," Vaynerchuk avoids the pomposity of traditional educators. Unlike wine guides that lack animation and lecture rather than inspire, 101 Wines shows you how to develop the necessary go-drink-wine attitude. Vaynerchuk encourages you to trust your own palate—stressing that your love of a certain wine makes it good regardless of what the experts or the price on the bottle say.

     Vaynerchuk's recommendations span a wide range of prices, nations, grapes, and styles—allowing everyone from novices to connoisseurs to expand their wine horizons. Unlock the secret to why Vaynerchuk labels wines "From Ruins to Riches," "Red with Fish," and "Not Your Father’s Spumante." Discover wines that taste like ones 10 times their price. Read as Vaynerchuk illuminates his top choices with vivid terminology such as "Bring the Thunder" and "Riding the Rainbow." Demystify conventions that once limited your wine-tasting desires. Journey through wine styles and break down barriers with his technical notes and stories behind the vintage. Smile as you realize you too can become a wine aficionado. 

     With your newfound knowledge, you will out-entertain and enlighten your friends, host extraordinary parties and treat your taste buds to an exhilarating ride. So if you are ready to become a "Vayniac"—one devoted to selecting wines based on Vaynerchuk's innovative principles—grab that corkscrew because a wine sampling adventure like no other awaits.

About the Author

GARY VAYNERCHUK is the Director of Operations at the Wine Library, located in Springfield, NJ. He has appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Ellen and has been featured in GQ, Men’s Health, and the New York Times. He was also the youngest retailer ever to receive Market Watch magazine’s prestigious Leader award in 2003, at age 28. He lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (May 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594868824
• ISBN-13: 978-1594868825
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,836 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #3 in	Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Drinks & Beverages > Wine > Collecting
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  #16 in	Books > Reference > Consumer Guides

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You must get this book!, May 14, 2008

By	Chris Butts (Redwood City CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'll have to admit something. Until recently, I've never heard of Gary Vaynerchuk before. I had no idea what Wine Library TV was. Then a couple months ago, I decided to finally join this little website called Twitter. It all went downhill from there! (haha) To make a short story long, when I first saw mention of this internet wine show, I was thinking - oh, sure - THAT sounds like a blast; probably some snobby, obnoxious old fart who waxes philosophical about wine and thinks his opinion is more sacred than Mother Teresa. (Have you met a "serious" wine critic before? I have. I'd rather be poked in the eye.) Well, you should never judge a book by it cover (no pun intended) and I bit the bullet and saw a few episodes of Gary's little wine show called Wine Library TV.

I was hooked. I don't think I've ever run across anyone more sincere and passionate about wine before, who is more anxious to teach the world not about wine technique and history lessons, but to teach people to have fun with wine. To remove all the stereotypical stigmas associated with drinking wine. That it's ok to pop open a bottle for a football game. If you want a glass of Napa Cab with your cheeseburger - why not?

It's this passion that really shines in Gary's book. He makes it perfectly clear that the book is not a "wine guide". It's not. Yes, at the end of the day, its just another man's opinion on wine - 101, to be exact. But trust me, you will learn a thing or two. And, like me, you'll want to run out and buy wine you've never tasted or heard of before. The way Gary writes here - "bringing the thunder", the "oak monster", "obnoxious silkiness" - or a wine can taste like Cinnamon Toast Crunch or smells like poop (poop? Yes, poop) - it's just downright fun. The book is just filled with great stuff and little "fun facts" run rampant throughout.

So Gary - I sincerely thank you. To the world - buy this book and hopefully you'll get as much as I did.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gary Explains Wine for the Rest of Us, May 14, 2008

By	Shawn Collins "Shawn" (Berkeley Heights, NJ) - See all my reviews

Length:: 1:02 Mins

Gary Vaynerchuk's 101 Wines: Guaranteed to Inspire, Delight, and Bring Thunder to Your World Gary has democratized wine and lured me over from the beer side. Thanks for the ongoing education, Gary.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Verdict: Gary Brings the Thunder!, May 15, 2008

By	Timothy J. Schultz (Bucks County, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Gary never ceases to captive me with his expert knowledge and insight into the wine world, and this book is no exception. His energy and passion for making wine fun and entertaining is clearly evident in this book. No doubt you'll learn some new and interesting things. I hope there will be MANY more books to come!

Overall, a GREAT pool-side summer read with a glass of YOUR favorite vino!