Red, White, and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass (Hardcover)

by Natalie MacLean (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
MacLean's enthusiasm for wine is contagious. For the winner of the prestigious MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award, each glass represents a personal history, "a secret cellar in our minds where we collect our empty bottles filled with memories." Her passionate desire to learn about all aspects of wine increases its sensual pleasure, and her goal "to demystify an intimidating world" succeeds. MacLean interviews everyone from grape growers in Burgundy to upstart zinfandel producers in Sonoma Valley. Every encounter incorporates vivid descriptions of tastings and colorful personalities. Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyards in Santa Cruz, Calif., bucks the trend of his California competitors, insisting a "great wine is... not a confection of the laboratory, but a subtle expression of the soil from which it sprang." For casual wine lovers, MacLean deciphers the perplexing dilemmas of appropriate wine aging without pedantry. For the purist, however, "life is too short to drink good wine out of bad glasses." That observation leads to the explanation for 103 different shapes of glassware. Solid research, a breezy style and commonsense advice prove invaluable for the novice, while her good humor will delight the connoisseur. (Oct.)
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Review

“Natalie MacLean deepens one’s appreciation of wine as if she were beside you. Her adventures in wine tasting are as accessible as your favorite pop song.”—Kermit Lynch, wine merchant and author of Adventures on the Wine Route “A galloping read, which educates, entertains, and amuses…[Natalie] is the George Plimpton of wine writers….”—Ann Noble, professor of viticulture, University of California, Davis.
 
 “There’s everything here: old stories and new, an inquiring mind and bags of enthusiasm.”—Hugh Johnson, author of The World Atlas of Wine
 
“Teetotalers, beware! This is…bound to make a wine lover out of everyone who picks it up.”—Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page, James Beard Award–winning authors of Becoming a Chef
 
“Abandon your inhibitions as [Natalie MacLean] takes you through the wonderful world of wine.”—Louisa Thomas Hargrave, director, Stony Brook University Center for Wine, Food and Culture
 
“[I]mpossible to resist. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.”—Michael Ruhlman, author of The Reach of a Chef and coauthor of The French Laundry Cookbook
 
“Many have walked down the path of vinous storytelling before Natalie MacLean, but until Red, White, and Drunk All Over, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen someone so sensibly or surreptitiously provide a starch-free education in wine.  In the guise of a heart- and body-warming memoir, we get to learn what she learns while she’s learning it. Why, you’d almost be under the impression that she wasn’t actually teaching! And beyond being a terrific writer, she’s fun company.” —Danny Meyer, coauthor of The Union Square Cafe Cookbook and author of Setting the Table “Unlike so many wine guides, this one is an adventure story.  Natalie MacLean takes us along as she navigates the sometimes treacherous wine landscape, from vineyard to wine store to restaurant to her own kitchen, putting it all in perspective and even putting a wine snob or two in their place.  We finish the journey far more confident—and with a craving for great wine.” --Edward Deitch, Wine Critic, NBC and MSNBC.com “Red, White and Drunk All Over is an engaging and very accessible guide to the world of wine. Natalie MacLean takes on the dual role of drinking companion and advisor as we travel with her to individual vineyards and wineries in France and California.  Along the way we meet, and then quickly develop personal feelings for, the growers, the wine-makers, the vines themselves, and the wines they produce.” —Naomi Duguid, co-author of Mangoes & Curry Leaves, Home Baking, and Hot Sour Salty Sweet

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA (September 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582346488
• ISBN-13: 978-1582346489
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #527,397 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting and Enjoyable Read, August 19, 2007

By	monkuboy (Temple City, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Marketing books will tell you that the way to captivate a customer for your product is to tell a story, rather than recite a bunch of dry facts. The majority of books about wine focus on facts - about the grapes, vintages, food matches, how-to's, etc., and there's certainly nothing wrong with that except for when you've read one, the others get kind of repetitive.

What is refreshing about Ms. MacLean's book is that you learn via her telling you stories, relating her various wine world experiences. Her writing style is personable and easy to read, and makes you feel like you are accompanying her on her journeys. Reading her book is sort of like listening to Forrest Gump while most other wine books are like listening to a lecture. She's also got a great sense of humor - very entertaining.

The book is similar in style to Kermit Lynch's Adventures on the Wine Route; both educate the reader via tales of wine encounters. The difference is Mr. Lynch focuses on his visits to the various producers he imports (and thus writes from the point of view of a merchant and wine lover), whereas Ms. MacLean has a broader scope of topics (and it is obvious she has a passion for wine). What they do have very much in common is a talent for making you thirsty for the subject matter. Consider them both great ambassadors for wine.

One other thing I'd like to add is I admire how the author got started in her career. She came across something that really interested her, she pursued it, and her passion is obvious. We should all find something we love so much!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Urgent Warning:, December 18, 2006

By	Lael Atkinson "Dedicated Wino" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book will make you thirsty. It is highly recommended that you have a ready supply of wine on hand before you start reading. Natalie MacLean makes you feel as if you are right by her side on her fascinating journey through the world of wine and encounters with its engaging inhabitants. And since she's in the driver's seat, you should relax, uncork and enjoy the ride.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Way To Learn About Wine, July 17, 2007

By	J. Watkins (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Through this book, Natalie MacLean has achieved something many wine writers strive for but rarely achieve. Her book is educational, yet not at all intimidating -- it's actually fun to read. Natalie covers a wide variety of topics most "average, everyday winedrinkers" are interested in knowing more about -- wine production, marketing, tasting, and sharing -- and she does so with a humorous way of poking fun at herself. Great writing style!