The Wine Collector's Handbook [Hardcover]

Linda Johnson (Author), Michael Broadbent (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1997

For anyone who has fallen under the spell of wine, starting a collection of high-quality, ageable wines is the inevitable next step. Whether one wants to assemble a simple collection of a few favorite wines, or make a significant investment in a collection of hundreds of bottles, the information in The Wine Collector's Handbook will save time and money. This handbook will teach you: how to analyze a wine's potential; how to taste wine like a professional; what and when is maturity; which wines to drink now, and which later; which wines to cellar and for how long; how to get the most for your money. (6 1/4 x 9 1/4, 206 pages, charts)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Former editor and director of Vintage International Magazine Linda Johnson demystifies how to locate, judge, buy, and age the best wines at optimal times for both the taste and the price. Johnson addresses the growing seasons, vintages, and aging periods for various wines, as well as how to create your own cellar and build your collection of wines, complete with approximate costs. Johnson describes and lists wines that are table-ready and those that require short-, medium-, and long-term storage. Her vivid descriptions of regional favorites, triumphs of particular growing years, how to taste a wine, and how aging changes your wine not only inform but make wine collecting (and enjoying) a historical adventure.

From the Back Cover

For anyone who has fallen under the spell of wine, starting a collection of high-quality, ageable wines is the inevitable next step. Whether one wants to assemble a simple collection of a few favorite wines, or make a significant investment in a collection of hundreds of bottles, the information in The Wine Collector's Handbook will save time and money.This handbook will teach you: how to analyze a wine's potential; how to taste wine like a professional; what and when is maturity; which wines to drink now, and which later; which wines to cellar and for how long; how to get the most for your money. (6 1/4 x 9 1/4, 206 pages, charts)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (December 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558214607
• ISBN-13: 978-1558214606
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,830,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A book for beginners at best, June 24, 2000

By 

David E. Burns - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wine Collector's Handbook (Hardcover)

For anyone who has been into wine for more than a month, this book will show you nothing new. I found it interesting that Linda refers to Robert Parker's "The Wine Advocate's Vintage Guide" as one of the best guides she has come across. This is the one peice of advice that I could use. Save the 21.00 you will spend for this book and put that amount towards the purchase of ANY book by Robert Parker.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An author to be reckoned with!, November 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wine Collector's Handbook (Hardcover)

Linda Johnson has the gift of communicating wine in an entertaining and approachable manner. It is obvious that her knowledge of wine is of a technical, traditional and intellectual nature, yet she so passionately and easily conveys this knowledge. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This lady knows her stuff!, July 18, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Colorado Springs) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wine Collector's Handbook (Hardcover)

An outstanding read with many interesting and informative details aimed at helping the collector sort their way through the wine-maze. Linda's recommendations on how to stock your cellar are spot on! Worth the money, and more...