Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guide: Michael Broadbend's Wine Tasting: Fully Updated for 2001/2002 (Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guides) (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

The classic popular guide comprehensively revised and updated for another year, detailing world wines by region, grape varieties and wine styles, with advice on vintages, tasting, storage and serving. First published in 1968, and since translated into eight languages, this is one wine guide that has stayed the course. With the racks of wine books every bit as confusing as the range of product they describe, this is clearly a book that has earned its place on every bookseller's shelves. Includes a new illustrated section on colour variations, a glossary and appendices. An authoritative guide in a convenient format, for all wine lovers from beginners to professionals. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

The Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guides provide an indispensable series of books on all the main wine regions of the world. Written by the leading experts in their fields, all ten titles offer a wealth of information in a compact format, and include invaluable details on recommended wines, producers, and growers, and in-depth descriptions of each region.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Mitchell Beazley; Revised edition (January 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1840003251
• ISBN-13: 978-1840003253
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 3.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,220,378 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent source of useful information on wine tasting, July 4, 2009

By	mathwonk - See all my reviews

This is a terrific book and a great bargain. He teaches you how to serve and enjoy wine, including the rarely found aspect of judging age of wine, and suggestions on how long to air wines before drinking. There are full color illustrations showing the difference between young, mature, and old wines. The opinions are honestly stated as opinions, not misleadingly given as gospel. One of the most helpful suggestions to me, is to be bold in regard to how long to air your fine wines. There is also information on glasses, storage, and serving wine to help anyone gain more enjoyment from his collection.

4.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous classic, December 24, 2007

By	Robert C. Ross (New Jersey) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Michael Broadbent's Wine Tasting (Mitchell Beazley Wine Guides) (Hardcover)

The first edition of this handy little book was published in almost 50 years ago, and it has been revised from time to time, not so much as to the substance, but more to update references to specific wines and new developments in the science of taste and to reflect Broadbent's experiences in tasting wine.

Broadbent has been tasting wines and writing down his impressions for a very long time -- a small phamplet became the first edition of this book in 1968. This book captures the essence of what he has learned about tasting wine during his career as a wine merchant and a wine auctioneer, dealing throughout both careers with wine consumers. "My viewpoint is based, fair and square on the finished product, as it appears on the market."

There many treasures here, not the least Broadbent's position that you don't need to be an expert, or even interested in wine, to enjoy drinking it.

But drinking is not tasting wine. "Drinking pleases, mellows, loosens the tongue and inhibitions; drinking wine with food is healthy and natural; drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life's most civilized pleasures. To some, tasting is work, tasting is learning; tasting adds immeasurably to understanding, and understanding to deeper enjoyment."

Broadbent's prose is clear, and he has a gift for quoting some of the giants in the wine lovers world. Example: "I was convinced forty years ago -- and the conviction remains to this day -- that in wine tasting and wine-talk there is an enormous amount of humbug." T. G. Shaw, 1863.

Broadbent provides almost no humbug in this marvelous little book.

Robert C. Ross 2007 2008