The Wine Bible, 3rd Edition by Karen MacNeil
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Web ID: 150870332 reviews
Comprehensive and Interesting
This book is the hands down go to book for anyone interested in wine. And when I say “interested in wine,” I mean anything you might want to know about wine is in this book. You get the basics, the history of wine itself, the histories of the regions that the specific wines come from, the food pairings, and anything you might need to know about the wine you’re looking up. It’s like a more interesting encyclopedia of wine, and it’s a phenomenal resource for the topic. Not only that, but I love how MacNeil makes the different wines seem so interesting that I get so excited to try them. She’s who turned me onto Beaujolais Nouveau, and now every fall I’m clamoring to get my hands on a couple bottles to try. She’s who made me fall in love with the simplicity and yet heritage heavy Barbara. I could go on and on, but I think you get my point. This new edition has a section that discusses wine “in the beginning” and now includes chapter about other wine-making regions, too. I originally owned the first edition of this book, and while it’s still an amazing text I enjoyed learning more about other regions like Croatia and Israel that didn’t have their own chapters in previous editions. It’s the new parts to this text that make it even more of a profoundly comprehensive resource on wine. This book is thorough, and I love that MacNeil makes learning about a subject as vast as wine so accessible. The way the material is presented is clear and to the point, which is nice given that there’s a lot to cover. As a reader, I get the sense that the author wants you to learn about something that’s so obviously her passion. This is a well-done resource that’s filled with all sorts of history and tidbits for those looking to learn about wine. I encourage you to give it a read if you’re looking to learn more about this beverage and all the things that go along with it.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great reference for wine lovers and novices alike
I love wine, and have taken a local wine tasting course, and have been reading books about wine for several years now. I love learning more about wine, and admit I will never know it all. The journey, however, is loads of fun. But, the Wine Bible’s previous editions were not on my list. Maybe it was because I was waiting for this edition. This one is filled with gorgeous color photographs, interesting insights, and pertinent information. Right off the bat, it pulled me in, and even knowing some of the information that was given, I was engrossed with the way the author told the information. It is very down to earth, easily understood, and even when she talks about science things, you do not feel like you need a chemistry degree to figure out what she is talking about. I liked her descriptions of making wine, and barrels, but felt during the grape varietals section, she left out some important details-possibly for brevity. Example, in Chile, especially the Maipo Valley, they are making age worthy and winning Cabernet Sauvignon and it is not touched on during that part of the round up of good Cabernet’s around the world. It is mentioned later in the Chile country wine section, though, but I think it deserved a mention under Cabernet as well. But, that is a minor picky point, and like I said, it was talked about later in the book, so not left out. The author has updated this Bible to include some new trends, as well as new trials, like smoke taint, as well as some new statistics in the wine world. Much of the information is history, and facts about wine that have come down through the ages. I like the little historical tidbits and stories that are intermingled with informatable facts. There are also enjoyable sections on the different wines of wine regions, and some example that the author has tried. Ah, to be able to taste those as well! She even includes new regions that are up and coming, or in revival, so the reader is brought up to date with some of the exciting changes that are happening in the wine world. As a Missouri resident, I felt the section on Missouri wines was skimpy, and needed more, (yeah, I know, some bias) and I encourage the author to explore some of the wine in my state with her palate, and go beyond Stone Hill, and Les Bourgeois. With Missouri having the first AVA in the nation in Augusta, a winery in that part of the state is a must. Augusta Winery itself has several award winning choices to try. This is a book that is great for a reference as well as a coffee table volume, and I would recommend for your own personal library as well as a gift. Wine lovers will appreciate the information as well as the pictures that add new dimensions to the basic wine information; and novices will love the fact that the information is given in such a way as to make it personable and easy to understand. I highly recommend this bible for wines.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com