Customer Reviews

Wine Spectator's: The Essentials Of Wine

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've spent more money than I care to think about in the last few weeks on "intro to wine" books, and I thought this one was terrific. Reasonable size, sensible and humorous asides, helpful photographs, wide variety of topics (including fascinating information on starting your own cellar, glassware, food pairings, the "business" of wine, etc.), It arrived about ten minutes before I left the house for a three-hour flight to Phoenix, and I devoured it on the plane. You know how you go racing through something wonderful and informative to see what's next, and then go back and study it more carefully? (At least, I do.) This is the one I'm going back to with my notebook. Try it, you'll like it!

As someone who recently graduated from the "cheapest on sale at the grocery" style of wine buying, I found this intro of real value. The overviews of regions, varietals, and other, more subtle nuances gave me a straightforward method of choosing wine whether in the grocery, a wine shop or a restaurant. I've enjoyed my choices more and paid less since reading this book.

Essentials of Wine was a pleasure to read and is now kept in my kitchen for quick reference. This book refreshed my memory on information acquired from several wine tasting events and dining experiences. I was not interested in purchasing and wading through a tome. This book sparked my interest to try other wines and not rely on some of my old favorites. My dinner guests are enjoying the benefits of my explorations. Thanks Mr. Steiman!

For the novice, this book aggregates a lot of basic information. However, this is also the problem as the flow seems to be all over. The reader is left with just "teasers" without the substantive information that will form the foundation to becoming an educated wine connesieur. Save your money; there are better foundational novels on this topic.

It was a pleasure to read the book ESSENTIALS OF WINE by Harvey Steiman. I think that it is a must read for those beginning in the complex world of wine. It should also be enjoyable and refreshing reading for those who are already knowledgeable to whatever degree. It was to me. Bob Miller

I am an 80 yr old male and do not understand the "12 yr old" caption. A wine book reviewed by a child!