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The Wine Bible Paperback – February 1, 2000

by
Karen MacNeil (Author)
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Karen MacNeil (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 501 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 910 pages
  • Publisher: Workman Publishing Company; First Edition edition (February 1, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1563054345
  • ISBN-13: 978-1563054341
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.8 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (501 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,500 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsYour second wine book
By Eric J. Lyman on June 28, 2003
Format: Paperback
The spine on my worn copy of the Wine Bible is cracked and its pages are dog-eared, even though I think the book has several notable shortcomings. As I write this, I find myself in the unusual position of criticizing the thick volume even though I turn to it for information on a regular basis.
My biggest complaint is that I feel the book doesn't really know what it wants to be. On the one hand, it is a comprehensive reference book that in many areas goes into more depth than other general wine books. But it falls short as a reference book because it lacks the scope of books like The World Atlas of Wine or The Global Encyclopedia of Wine, which cover more up-and-coming wine producing countries, more specific producers and, especially in the case of The World Atlas of Wine, are enhanced by beautiful photographs and maps. Though the Wine Bible is substantial (it weighs in at a hefty 910 pages) its design is more compact than the other books I mentioned, and so might make a better travel companion for someone visiting multiple wine producing regions in a single trip. But the lack of good maps makes a supplemental book necessary.
Additionally, the book can feel like a disjointed collection of articles that ought to have been better integrated before publication. Often, the same information (referring to multiple or confusing names for grape varieties or regions, or quality standards in specific countries) is referred to parenthetically several times, often in quick succession -- something unnecessary, especially given the book's excellent glossary.
But despite these criticisms, I find myself referring to the book repeatedly.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn excellent introduction to wine...
By Tarik J. Ghbeish on September 4, 2002
Format: Paperback
A great book for a beginner. This book doesn't rate wines, it teaches you about how they are made, what flavors each grape is known for, what regions grow each type of grape and so on. Immensely useful information. I have used this as
* a learning tool,
* a reference when I'm curious about a wine I've found
* to settle arguments with family over wine labeling
* a reference to decide which wines may be worth trying from a specific region.
As a reference, the book is not encyclopedic, but it doesn't attempt to be either. The book is a bible in the sense that it gives you a good solid overview of a wine region, it's styles of wines, and some of it's representative producers if you want to start trying out the regions wines.
It is quick to point out that the ultimate judge of a wine is the drinker, and you shouldn't be shy to decide you do or don't like a wine despite it's reputation. I like that and believe it is a good approach.
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5.0 out of 5 starsWhat is the superlative of amazing?
By Trader Bill on October 15, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I bought the first edition of this incredible tome in 2015. As an ardent winelover for the past fifty years, I fully appreciate the dedication and passion that went into writing it. But MacNeil didn't just write it, she submitted the chapters to literally dozens of experts in their specialty for review. That is how it took TEN years to write!
How good was it? Good enough to take a two pound book with me to the Basque Country of Spain!
I own more than a dozen wine books, most of which gather dust on my bookshelf...not that one, it is a constant companion!
Imagine, a book that took TEN years to write, TEN years ago, and is still valuable. Wait, isn't that a bible?
If you read the Amazon reviews of it, you will find only two complaints: when will she write a new edition, and the weight. Oh, one more: why nothing on Temecula wines?
Finally, ten years and 4,000 pages of manuscript later, we got our wish...and more, because of all the changes, THE most valuable is the Kindle edition! Portable, quick and easy to search, and dozens of other new features.
As a wine advocate and aficionado who is a blogger and is working on a book project on wine, or more accurately the passion of the people who make them, this is a huge help to me.
I have been asked what wines I would take if I was going to a deserted island. I cannot narrow the list down, but as for what wine book I would take, this is it!
Oh, and even Temecula gets mentioned, as well as upcoming regions like Slovenia!
Thank you, Karen!
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5.0 out of 5 starsYeah! It is finally here!
By Jorie on November 20, 2015
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I'd been looking forward to this new edition of the Wine Bible and it did not disappoint. Great updates and expansive new information. It sits on my coffee table, convenient for quick reads when time permits. That is the beauty of the book. I work in the retail wine industry and this book is necessary. I also recommend it to my regular customers who want to increase their wine knowledge because of the approachable style of the content. Good job, Karen!
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2.0 out of 5 starsNeeds to be updated badly!!!
By Christopher Barrett VINE VOICE on November 24, 2007
Format: Paperback
This was a great book...6 years ago. While that might not seem a long time, remember that insane changes have occured lately: the restructuring of many Italian DOCs, promotion of massive numbers of Spanish DOs, new AVAs in California and Oregon, Canada establishing itself as a wine powerhouse for more than dessert wines, not to mention the stylistic change of Bordeaux after the 2000 vintage.

I have also found several errors based on outdated (1997-1999) information. Though this is of little concern to novices, experts and those in the wine industry cannot rely on this information. Also, this needs to come in a hardcover form (for this many pages).

Pros: value, basic knowledge good
Cons: poorly laid out, outdated info, not durable, lacks advanced info

I know Karen MacNiel can do better, she is one of the most knowledgeable wine experts I have ever met.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 starsThree Stars

Not bad but not a must read..

Published 22 hours ago by Joseph R. Lang
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Definitive book

Published 1 day ago by Don Stone
4.0 out of 5 starsWas told that he loved it and learned a

Bought as a gift. Was told that he loved it and learned a lot

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Great information. It helps to better understand what you're drinking.

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3.0 out of 5 starsThis is a very detailed book on wine with tons ...

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5.0 out of 5 starsGreat book for professionals and amateurs as well

The book is very nice!! It goes into a lot of details and the whole history of the wine making.

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