Wine Blog » Grape Varieties

Fine Wine – Jancis Robinson’s Wine Course: A Guide to the World of Wine

Wineguy — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:00:16 +0000

Social Scene: Wine & Dine for the Arts – Albany Times Union

Social Scene: Wine & Dine for the Arts
Albany Times Union
Were you Seen at the Wine & Dine for the Arts Grand Gala in the Hotel Albany on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012? (Joe Putrock/Special To The Times Union) Were you Seen at the Wine & Dine for the Arts Grand Gala in the Hotel Albany on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012? …

and more »

Small Talk: Help solve the mystery — Follow the clues to the CSI wine-tasting … – Anniston Star

Small Talk: Help solve the mystery — Follow the clues to the CSI wine-tasting …
Anniston Star
The 2012 annual wine-tasting dinner hosted by the board of directors of Children's Services Inc. is scheduled for Jan. 28. The event benefits our community's Parris Home for Children. The fun begins at Classic on Noble at 6 pm Chairpersons for this …

and more »

Jancis Robinson’s Wine Course: A Guide to the World of Wine
The enormous variety of wines available today can be baffling even to an experienced buyer. Anyone who enters a wine store is immediately confronted by rows and rows of racks filled with a myriad of choices. Where do you begin when all you want is a reasonably priced quality wine to serve with dinner? Jancis Robinson can make anyone an expert, or at least an informed buyer, in short order. In this comprehensive guide to the wine-producing countries of the world, she captures the flavor of each region’s wines and presents her personal recommendations on the best names from around the world, with thirty-two completely new pages covering the latest developments in South America, South Africa, and Eastern Europe. Robinson also describes the distinctive characteristics of hundreds of different grape varieties and studies the traditional and innovative methods employed in the creation of great wines. A fully updated vintage guide makes selection even easier.

Dedicated to ensuring that you get the most out of every glass, Jancis Robinson’s Wine Course explains how to taste and store wine, what to serve on special occasions at home, and how to order the best value from a restaurant wine list. Full of infectious enthusiasm and heaps of personal tips, this book will soon have you reaching for the corkscrew.

Customer Review: Everything You Need To Know About Wine
What a great book! This book teaches you as much or as little as you want to know about wine. It takes the confusion out of tasting new wines and shopping for wine is now fun. You could study it like a textbook and become well versed in the subject or learn what you need to know to make drinking wine more enjoyable.

Customer Review: Not The Best For Starters
If you are looking for a good book to start out with, to learn the basic ABC’s of wine, then I would reccomend The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Wine by Phillip Seldon. This one (Jancis Robinson’s) however is good for people like myself who already know the basics (the distinguishing characteristics of grape varieties, the main regions, how to make reasonablly good food/wine pairings, etc.)
In other words, it’s not the easiest book to follow.

Another note- she makes her disgust of Spanish wines known in the opening paragraph on page 222 when she says “If it (Spain) had Germany’s love of efficiency, or France’s respect for bureaucracy, Spain might be sending us oceans of judiciously priced wine made expressly for the international market. But Spain is an anarchic jumble of districts and regions…and heartbreakingly awful human constructions, and has to be treated as such by the wine enthusiast.”
I found those comments to be misleading, as Spain to me is a model exporter of high quality wines. Just about any Rioja or Tempranillo wine imported and that goes for less than $…is of fine quality. That is my opinion of course. Another semi-complaint is that there was not enough material on Argentina (only 6 paragraphs) which I found to be a shame, since Argentina has very unique and delicious wines.

Overall this is good, as I said earlier, for those who already have a basic knowledge.

Wine gift – Port and the Douro (Classic Wine Library)

Wineguy — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:00:23 +0000

GreenBottle cardboard wine and milk bottles could help green the RV lifestytle
The cardboard wine bottle – which is claimed to have a carbon footprint just 10 percent of that of a glass wine bottle – is made of two parts: a sturdy paper outer shell and an inner liner made of plastic which holds the wine. The paper outer is recyclable

The Joy of Wine Clubs
Whether you’re an amateur wine buff, an aficionado of fine vintages and lesser known grape varieties, the perfect dinner party host or simply someone who appreciates a decent glass of good quality wine with which to relax and unwind

Port and the Douro (Classic Wine Library)

Fully revised and updated in its second edition, Port and the Douro recounts the fascinating history of the Port region and explores the vineyards, grape varieties, and the many styles of port available. It describes all aspects of the beverage’s production, and includes a directory of producers, as well as details about the key vintages. Expert Richard Mayson also examines the prospects for port in the 21st century.

Customer Review: Port and Douro wine library
The book was exactly what I ordered.It was received in a very short period of time.

Customer Review: Definitive, comprehensive, informative, articulate.
Port And The Douro is the fascinating story of Port over the centuries and surveys the remarkable physical conditions of the wine growing region of Portugal, the grape varieties, and the vineyards that make the Douro valley so special. Richard Mayson draws upon his many years of experience in the wine trade in general and his remarkable expertise in Port wines and how they are made. Port And The Douro is definitive, comprehensive, informative, articulate, and greatly rewarding reading for connoisseurs, dealers, and the nonspecialist general reader seeking to select just the right Port for the occasion.

Wine gift – Andrew Jefford’s Wine Course

Wineguy — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:14 +0000

The 12 Wines of Christmas — Day 3: The must-have wine map – San Francisco Chronicle (blog)

San Francisco Chronicle (blog)

The 12 Wines of Christmas — Day 3: The must-have wine map
San Francisco Chronicle (blog)
As a prelude to the big holiday, Inside Scoop brings you the 12 Wines of Christmas. Each day from now until Dec. 23, we'll have a suggestion for something wine-related to make your season brighter. Wine maps are one of those supreme nerd devices. …

and more »

Andrew Jefford’s Wine Course
Let Andrew Jefford be your guide to the rich and fascinating world of wine. His wine course consists of 20 clearly defined projects, so you can learn the essentials in a helpful order and at your own pace. The first part of the book, The Tools, covers the kit you’ll need for tasting and thinking about wine, including different glasses, the varying colors of key wine types and their smell and taste. You’ll learn how to choose wine and record your impressions. The Elements explains wine’s components. Andrew profiles the magnificent seven grape varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Pinot Noir, plus many more from the extended vine family. He also pictures what happens in the earth and sky as the vine grows, and the role of the winemaker in shaping the finished product. The final part of the book, The Journey, takes you on a tour of the world’s wineproducing countries, describing the characteristics of each. • “Exceptional…a must buy and read.” Robert Parker on Andrew Jefford’s The New France. • Includes helpful factfiles, “try” boxes suggesting easy tasting comparisons, and “what people love about…” summaries of the world’s main wine types.

Bar Wine – Vinifera: The World’s Great Wine Grapes And Their Stories

Wineguy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:00:29 +0000

Vinifera: The World’s Great Wine Grapes And Their Stories
Boxed Set of 40 Wine Grape Varietal Reference Cards. Featuring color photos, interesting history, lore and food pairings for 40 glorious wine producing varietals. A set of fascinating wine cards, or more specifically, wine grape reference cards. The information contained in these wine grape cards is fun, educational, informative and often obscure. The photographs are colorful and sumptous. An excellent wine gift for any host or hostess. A perfect Holiday gift such Mother’s Day, Father’s Day Valentines’ day or Christmas. Learn about Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Aglianico, Albarino, Viognier, Merlot, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, and many others. Ideal for wine tasting parties and blind wine tastings.

Customer Review: Wow!
I recieved this deck of cards as a hostess gift and was blown away by the detail and information that is on each card; the color photographs are absolutely stunning. The pairing suggestions on the back make choosing that perfect wine for your next meal a cinch and with 40 cards of different grape varieties, there are endless opportunities to explore… everytime I go to a friends house I bring a deck of these cards and a bottle of wine- they make for great conversation during the evening. These are a MUST!!!!!!!!!

Customer Review: CAN LEARN A LOT FAST
This is a really good wine guide, because it’s not like a wine guide at all. It’s fun. The photographs of the grapes are really beautiful. You’re not used to seeing the grapes themsleves in the field (Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio…etc.), so that context kind of gives you a new appreciation of what’s in the bottle. The information is a fun read, too. It’s got historical notes, where the names of the grapes come from, fun little stories, plus its packed with wine knowledge, but totally accessable. I didn’t know all that much about wines and this reference pack has made me a lot more comfortable ordering and talking about wine.

Make Wine – De Long’s Wine Grape Varietal Table

Wineguy — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 18:00:12 +0000

Utah families help with the comeback of historic Tokaj grapes at Hungarian winery – Salt Lake Tribune
This welcome infestation creates unique flavors and makes the grapes phenomenal for wine. Tokaj wines are made using only white grapes, mostly Furmint (similar to chenin blanc), Harslevelu (similar to gewürztraminer) and muscat. Located in the

IMPORTANT: Bing News RSS feed has moved!

Go to the new RSS page and renew your subscription.

De Long’s Wine Grape Varietal Table
Learn about Wine the Visual Way.

You consider yourself fairly open minded about wine. You’re familiar with the big five — Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay — and are getting comfortable with more obscure grape varieties: the occasional Albarino, Petite Sirah, or Viognier. But just when you thought you had the situation under control, your waiter suggests a Lagrein, your local liquor store is pushing Xynomavro, and your friends now swear by Pineau d’Aunis. What to do?

The popular wine reference, De long’s Wine Grape Varietal Table has been improved and expanded. Just as with the first edition, the world of wine grapes is organized in a clear, concise and easy to use reference similar to a periodic table. The table contains 184 red and white grape varieties organized by both body (vertically) and acidity (horizontally). The Wine Indexes, which help to answer the bacchanalian question “what grape are you drinking?”, now include all wine regions worldwide. To fit all the additional information in, the table is now 24 x 36 inches (printed on 110 lb. acid-free archival paper), and the indexes now comprise an 88 page perfect-bound book. The table and index book are packaged in an attractive and sturdy gift box.

It makes a great gift for novice or expert lovers of wine and is the first in the De Long’s Wine Info Series, a concise set of wine information guides.

Customer Review: top chart
An excellent tool for training, eduction or just curiosity. It is very easy to understand and reference.

Customer Review: Fabulous Chart.
I have many friends who enjoy wine, some of them in the food/hospitality business. They are all jealous of this chart.

Bar Wine – The New Italy: A Complete Guide to Contemporary Italian Wine

Wineguy — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 06:00:22 +0000

The New Italy: A Complete Guide to Contemporary Italian Wine

Give a toast to the best, most up-to-date, and beautifully photographed reference on Italian wines! The New Italy explores every signifcant development in the country’s wine scene, widely considered one of the world’s most complex. It gives readers a comprehensive and thorough look at all the country’s key wine types, from Barolo, Chianti, and Montepulciano to Sangiovese and the champagne-like sparkling Prosecco. An introduction to Italy’s wine styles and winemaking methods is followed by a region-by-region tour of vineyards, from Piedmont in the north to Calabria in the south. Full-color specially commissioned maps, details of the appellations and grape varieties, background on climate and geography, and profles of the leading producers round out this lively portrait.

Customer Review: The New Italy
Wonderfully written and a must have for all wine lovers. I have traveled the Italian wine regions and am an enologist and this book was very well written.

Also teaching wine educational classes, I was very impressed with the accuracy and details of the Italian wines and regions especially Tuscany and Piedmont! I will be in Italy in 2 weeks and feel like I was in Italy reading this book.

Buy, read and sip Italian wines!!

Thanks you Marco Sabellico and Daniele Cernilli!

Enologist, consultant & wine educator,

Tony Carlucci

Customer Review: I expected alot more
As difficult as it was for me to believe this, I really thought that this book would have been much more comprehensive, not just a vehicle to flatter a handfull of producers that must be current Gambero Rosso “Favoriti”. I get as much, if not more, out of my quarterly subscription to the magazine. Ordinarily, I really like Daniele Cernilli’s writing along with his willingness to take chances and “Tell it like it is”. I wish he had done so here. The regions could have been probed much more in-depth and the producers expanded to mirror the magazine. 3 GENEROUS stars.

Vines, Grapes & Wines: The Wine Drinker’s Guide to Grape Varieties

Wineguy — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 06:00:30 +0000

Grapes of rapture – New York Post

The Times of Trenton – NJ.com

Grapes of rapture
New York Post
But a sober student of fermented grape juice should go directly to the source — local vineyards and wineries. New York State, surprisingly, is the No. 2 wine producer in the country (after California). New Jersey holds a respectable seventh place. …
Wine makers say Arizona brand won't wither on the vineInside Tucson Business

all 6 news articles »

Vines, Grapes & Wines: The Wine Drinker’s Guide to Grape Varieties

As more and more wine consumers become grape conscious, they identify and buy wine according to its grape—and this is the guide to help them choose. Written by one of the world’s most highly respected wine writers, Vines, Grapes, & Wines covers the numerous grape varieties that are grown internationally, examining an extensive range of the varieties that the enthusiast is likely to encounter both as a plant and as a wine style. Each one is described in its geographical context, and there are hundreds of inspiring illustrations throughout.

Winner of the Veuve Clicquot Wine Book of the Year and André Simon Drink Book of the Year awards

Customer Review: Still a valuable resource
While not as exhaustive as “Oz Clarke’s Encylopedia of Grapes”, this does contain information that Clarke’s book does not. Before the three sections on grapes (Classic Varieties, Major Varieties, Other Varieties) there is a section entitled “Where Grapes Grow and Why” that provides valuable insight. Some of the information is dated, however, and that should be a caution to anyone reading this for use as a text. For example, the book uses a 1979 “census” of the varieties grown in Champagne. The figures quoted in 1979 are far different than those today. So be careful if you quote this book with specific regard to data.

Customer Review: A reference book no-one should be caught without
Simply put, this is one of the classics and a must-have for anyone with more than a passing interest in wine. Although it is several years old now and certain parts are out of date in terms of trends and the planting patterns of some younger wine-producing countries, the important bits are still are relevant as ever. The most comprehensive and invaluable book on grape varieties, purely for its reference fact value. Oz Clarke and Margaret Rand have written a more up-to-date bok covering the same topic, but that is less focussed on the grape itself as the wines made around the world with the particular grape. If you can have both, all the better, but if you had to choose one, this one would be it.

Grape Wine – The Backyard Vintner: An Enthusiast’s Guide to Growing Grapes and Making Wine at Home (Backyard)

Wineguy — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:00:11 +0000

The Backyard Vintner: An Enthusiast’s Guide to Growing Grapes and Making Wine at Home (Backyard)

Anyone who ever wanted to have homemade wine and never thought they had the space or ability to make it will love this book. The Backyard Vintner is a handy guide to at-home wine making that teaches readers the tips and tricks of the trade. It is perfect for those who want to bring the feeling of wine country right into their own backyard.

The Backyard Vintner teaches readers how to start and maintain a vineyard, providing vital information on topics such as planting, trellising, and proper pruning techniques for grapes; which grape varieties will grow best in every climate or region; and the wines that can be made from each variety. Basic recipes for wines, and advice on topics such as bottling, storing, and serving wines, are also provided.

Customer Review: Growing grapes made easy
This book provides usefull and pertinent information all the way from the grape planting process to the wine making process. He walks you through every step carefully, but does not suggest a robotic structure for making wine, he leaves open oppertunies to show your own creativity.

Customer Review: Touches on the important points
I’ve purchased several “how to” wine books and this one is good, but not great. I would not rely on it as my only reference. Rather, it makes a very good companion for “From Vines to Wines.”

Anything but Chardonnay: A Guide to the Other Grapes

Wineguy — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 10:00:31 +0000

IMPORTANT: Bing News RSS feed has moved!

Go to the new RSS page and renew your subscription.

Developers of Rosebrook Vineyards in Oklahoma City turn to Europe for heat-tolerant grape varieties – Daily Oklahoman
The Odoms are biding their wine. They’re in no rush to get the winery going at Rosebrook Vineyards. First things first. Grapes are growing at Rosebrook, a half-mile east of Interstate 44 on SW 134. But the vines weren’t first. First came the homework

Anything but Chardonnay: A Guide to the Other Grapes

Do you love wine but not know much about it? Do wine lists (and wine snobs) make you nervous? Is your default order at a bar or restaurant, “Gee, I guess I’ll have a glass of Chardonnay”? Well then, it’s time you learn your ABC—“Anything but Chardonnay!”—and join the other budding oenophiles who are discovering that there’s a whole wide wonderful world of wine beyond that mundane old standby.

Wine and food journalist Laura Holmes Haddad guides your exploration of scores of other well-known and not-so-well-known varieties of wine grapes: albariño and falanghina, riesling and tempranillo, carbernet franc and malbec (and many, many more). Haddad recognizes that gaining knowledge about wine can be an intimidating prospect, and so she’s written her timely new guide in a style that’s smart, lively, and very accessible to the non-expert reader.

Anything But Chardonnay is organized by the basic types of wine: red, white, bubbly, and dessert. In addition to her clear descriptions of each grape and the typical characteristics of the wines made from it, Haddad provides valuable information on wine regions, producers, prices, and pairing wines with food—all enlivened with splashes of fascinating wine trivia and lovely illustrations.

Customer Review: Accessible, fun and informative
Tired of chardonnay? Yeah, me too. And that’s why this book is such a treat. If you’re not a wine snob and you want to broaden your palate, this book is like having a friend (and wine expert) hold your hand. It introduces you to wine varieties you’ve never heard of, and puts a new face to some you know well. The writer’s style is totally accessible–there’s no wine snob attitude here; just friendly, hip advice that so far (for me) has been 100% spot on. I refer to it when entertaining or going to a friends for dinner and find the food-pairing information really helpful as is the nifty “dinner party trivia” which gives you nuggets of wine trivia to drop on your friends. Pair the book with a bottle of an unusual variety (there’s plenty listed) and you’ve got a fab hostess gift.

Customer Review: great gift idea

I have a lot of friends who are enthusiastic about new wines and this is the best gift for men or women. It is written with a breezy insider’s voice that is informed but fun and “quotable”. Also like the hints for easy recipes that would complement the wine.

Store Wine – Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy

Wineguy — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 02:00:05 +0000

Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy
At one time, Italian wines conjured images of cheap Chianti in straw-wrapped bottles. More recently, expensive “Super Tuscans” have been the rage. But between these extremes lay a bounty of delicious, moderately priced wines that belong in every wine drinker’s repertoire.

Vino Italiano is the only comprehensive and authoritative American guide to the wines of Italy. It surveys the country’s wine-producing regions; identifies key wine styles, producers, and vintages; and offers delicious regional recipes. Extensive reference materials—on Italy’s 300 growing zones, 361 authorized grape varieties, and 200 of the top producers— provide essential information for restaurateurs and wine merchants, as well as for wine enthusiasts.

Beautifully illustrated as well as informative, Vino Italiano is the perfect invitation to the Italian wine experience.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Review: Great book for learning about Italian Wines
This is a very detailed and useful reference for understanding more about the Italian wines and the region. I appreciate the link to the historical aspects and food pairing. Great find if you’re looking to learn more about Italy and it’s wines.

Customer Review: The definitive book about italian wine
I had the hard-cover version of this book and insisted so many friends and colleagues read it I managed to lose it and had to buy another copy! Great descriptions, recipes and candid details about Italian wines– especially wines that one can actually have a chance to purchase without a plane ticket to Italy.