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Wine For Dummies [Paperback]

Ed McCarthy (Author), Mary Ewing-Mulligan (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In Wine for Dummies, Mary Ewing-Mulligan teams up with hubby and fellow wine educator Ed McCarthy to guide us on an exhaustive, entertaining trip around the enological--that's right, enological--world. Though clearly experts themselves (Ewing-Mulligan is one of a handful of Americans holding the rare title Master of Wine), the authors assure us that even the most basic knowledge will undermine the very notion of wine pretension. It's as simple as this: "This wine is named for a grape variety. This wine is named for a geographical region. When they make this kind of wine, it goes into this kind of bottle." And so on.

By providing the context in which to begin exploring wine, Wine for Dummies can easily become the send-off for a lifelong education. McCarthy and Mulligan deflate many of the wine snob's attitudes; they assure us that most wine sold today is "good wine," and that any further distinctions made about wine are ultimately subjective. The practical, jovial mentoring the authors provide encourages readers to chart their own course toward drinking great wine (although the authors naturally recommend dozens of their own favorites along the way). In later chapters, McCarthy and Mulligan delve into more serious topics such as investing in and cellaring wine. Even these discussions seem appropriate, given that you'll probably find the allure of wine growing as its mystery subsides to the force of this superb introductory text. --Todd Gehman --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

“…friendly un-intimidating guide to all there is to know about wine…” (Irish News, 14th August 2004)

“…the no-nonsense guide to buying, storing serving and talking about wine…” (Choice Magazine, May 2004) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

  • Paperback: 432 pages
  • Publisher: For Dummies; 4 edition (October 9, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0470045795
  • ISBN-13: 978-0470045794
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #9,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
    #7 in  Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Drinks & Beverages > Wine > Wine & Winemaking
    #3 in  Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Drinks & Beverages > Wine > Buying Guides
    #17 in  Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Drinks & Beverages > Spirits

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More About the Authors

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Ed McCarthy
Ed McCarthy
Mary Ewing-Mulligan
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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vintage port, Côtes du Rhône, cru bourgeois, Côte Rôtie, wine style, botrytised grapes, wine bug, many wine drinkers, sparkling wine producers, wine zone, major wine regions, many red wines, recommended producers, wine circles, grape name, base wine, other sparkling wines, grape varieties, geographic indication, varietal wines, restaurant wine list, word champagne, appellation system, everyday wines, older wine
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Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, United States, Old World, New York, Pinot Gris, South Africa, New Zealand, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio, European Union, Napa Valley, Doing France, New World, French Wine For Dummies, San Francisco, Chenin Blanc, Vintage Champagne, Know Wine, Petite Sirah, Ribera del Duero, Pinot Blanc, Italian Wine For Dummies, Loire Valley
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Customer Reviews

72 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (72 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
199 of 202 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A quick, fun, easy way to understanding wines, December 21, 1999
This review is from: Wine for Dummies (Paperback)
This book offers an excellent introduction into wines. If you know little about wines, but want a quick, fun and easy way to learn, this book is for you. After reading this book, I was able to talk intelligently about the different varieties of wines, how wine is made and how to taste wines. This book has improved my social and professional life. At business dinners, I'm able to talk about wines and navigate through the wine list intelligently. On the social front, I recently held an amatuer wine tasting at my house and it was big success. One chapter in the book explains all the attributes and nuances you could sense in a wine. I organized the attributes with the descriptions in a table, with a few blank columns for wine tasting notes. My guests were entertained and educated at the same time.

The writing is clear and concise. The authors do not take a snobby attitude towards tasting; throughout the book, they emphasize that good wine is primarily determined by personal choice. They give you the tools to learn to taste and enjoy wine.

I read at an average rate. In about 2 hours, I was able to talk intelligently about the wine making process, understand how to taste wines, and navigate around wine shops. This book should be read over a period of several weeks so that you can actually practice what you've read. The only drawback with this book is that there are no colorful pictures and they weren't very explicit about which flavors to concentrate on while drinking different wine varieties.

Overall, this book is excellent for beginners. After reading the first few chapters, you'll go from beginner to an intermediate wine buff. I even purhased several of these books for my friends as Christmas gifts!

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83 of 90 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars the best overall book on wine I've read, May 25, 2001
This review is from: Wine for Dummies (Paperback)
I'm not an expert oeneophile (in fact, I can't even spell it), but I am an interested amateur who has read about 5 basic books on wine ranging from Parkers famous one to lesser known tomes (the Windows on the World one is good too). I think this dummies book offers the least pretentious and most concise overall guide to wine. It does cover a lot of ground which is why the same authors have separate books on white and red wines. On the bright side, you'll learn about every major grape variety and region in the wine world and how to find great bargains. I really enjoyed the tone and attitude -- the authors clearly know a lot, but make it clear that you don't have to be a wine snob to really enjoy wine.
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34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have reference book, October 14, 2001
By M. Smith "M" (Pennsylvania, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Wine for Dummies (Paperback)
I was always intimdated by the thought of ordering and buying wine. Wine for Dummies opened the door to a whole new world of experiences. This book helped me understand the different types, vintages, and tastes of wine. It gives clear information and explanations, and answers most any question you could have on the subject of wines. With this book as your guide, you will have no problem navigating a wine list in a restaurant, or the aisles of your local wine shop. There is information on pairing wine and food, how to serve wine, and how to store it. It is the most complete book on wine that I have read to date.

I found that it was easiest to concentrate on one section at a time, rather than to try to read and understand everything at once. Also, it was kind of fun reading one section, then trying some of the wines suggested by the authors, or simply trying the different kinds of wine in the section. The authors really know their wines.

This book will easily become the one you refer to most. It is concise, well-organized and easy to follow.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Actually not all that great a book
I was truly a dummy when it came to wine at the time I read this book. Unfortunately, Wine for Dummies was not very enlightening. Read more
Published 5 months ago by telmar

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Service!
Wine for dummies is a must! And shipping was super fast! Anything you need to know when starting out with wine, is right there in the book!
Published 9 months ago by Michelle L. Opsahl

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for starters
Good book for beginners in this project. Easy to read, easy instruction, clearly stated.
Published 12 months ago by Sign it

1.0 out of 5 stars still waiting...
i am still waiting for the book and now i have tried to get my money back and i am still waiting for that. i ordered the book and after a month i lost hope. Read more
Published 13 months ago by P. Kelly

5.0 out of 5 stars This dummy knows wine now
This is a great book. A quick read. Not pretentious. Lots of real-world help. Skip parts that aren't interesting to you. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Abhishek Awasthi

5.0 out of 5 stars fun, informative look at wine
'Wine for Dummies' is a great book for anyone who drinks the fruit of the vine. Experts and newbies alike will learn from this fun, informative book by Ed McCarthy and Mary... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Tina Hayes

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners
A great book for someone looking to learn more about wine and how to appreciate it. Presents information in a non-snobby way and is easy to follow. Just what I was looking for!
Published 18 months ago by KGN

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to a Fascinating Topic
There are two areas of the business world where I feel completely like a fish out of water - wine and golf. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Edward J. Barton

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to a Fascinating Topic
There are two areas of the business world where I feel completely like a fish out of water - wine and golf. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Edward J. Barton

5.0 out of 5 stars Read Many, so far this is the best!
So far this is the best Wine book I've read. Very thorough, complete, and great for beginners. Very explanatory.
Published 19 months ago by J. Ross

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