Product Description

"Essential Winetasting's" step-by-step approach teaches you everything you need to know to taste wine like a professional - from how to look at and smell a wine to how to taste and assess it. The book begins with a clear outline of how to taste. This is followed by a detailed but accessible account of how wine is made and an exploration of every major grape variety and of how its wines differ around the world. Finally comes the real joy of this book - a series of nine practical tastings which illustrate the key differences in wine styles, flavours and quality. Every stage of tasting is illustrated with specially commissioned photography and there are maps of every key wine region.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7173 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
"Essential Winetasting is one of those rare books that can serve and stimulate both beginners and experts. If you want to get started - or if you need navigational aid on a wine-odyssey you've already begun - I can't think of a better guide." Richard Erhlich, Independent on Sunday "The most effective winetasting manual ever wrtten." Bill Nesto MW, Beverage Business USA "A beautifully designed and intelligently organised wine primer" The Boston Globe

From the Publisher
Quote taken from a review in The Independent on Sunday 5/11
Richard Erhlich wrote: "Essential Winetasting is one of those rare books that can serve and stimulate both beginners and experts. If you want to get started - or if you need navigational aid on a wine-odyssey you've already begun - I can't think of a better guide." Independent on Sunday 5.11.2000

About the Author
Michael Schuster trained in Bordeaux, and then helped to establish an award-winning retail business in the 1980s. He now works independently as a writer and lecturer, running his own wine school 'Winewise'. In 1989 his highly successful Understanding Wine (Mitchell Beazley) was published. He also writes for Which? Wine Guide, Decanter and WINE.

Customer Reviews

Essential reading for true lovers of wine
For anyone not lucky enough to have attended one of Michael's courses, this serves as an excellent alternative.

Schuster brings his customary eloquence to the printed page and goes further than others toward pinning down some of the less obvious nuances of wines. Reading this book and following its spirit will help anyone to get the most from wine - from Blue Nun to Cheval Blanc. Debunks many widely held myths and misconceptions and encourages objectivity in tasting - a sadly underestimated skill. The tutored tastings are a remarkably effective innovation - how can one resist the urge to reach for that corkscrew?

A wonderful book. Informative, instructive, and fun
You really don't need to be knowledgeable about wine to be inspired by this book - you just need to enjoy the taste of it! Essential Winetasting is an inspirational read, half way through which you'll be (well I was) tempted to ring up your friends, issue instructions on which wine to bring, and organise an impromptu tasting.

The book educates and informs with a style that's by turns absorbing, entertaining, and hugely educational - importantly, even as a 'novice', I never felt patronised or confused. It's beautifully illustrated throughout - particularly in the section on step by step guided tastings. It's this superb section which 'makes' the book; it allows you to put the knowledge you've just aquired into a practical, tutored context - which in turn ensures that the learning process becomes fun, instinctive and effortless.

Real wine knowledge by 'hands on' tastings
Without a doubt the best wine book I have seen. Superbly laid out with easy to follow references. This book teaches practical knowledge on every page which comes to life in step by step tasting experiences. Michael Schuster has a great knack of bringing enjoyment to this art. The first book I have read that explains why a certain wine matches a certain food. I just want to read, learn and taste more.