The Wine Cellar,Wine Baskets-One Great Dish

Man has made and consumed wine for thousands of years. Through the ages, wine has served important religious, social and medical roles. The grapes that are used to make the wine derive their unique characteristics from the climate and soil of the region where they are cultivated.

In today's global economy, wines grown in any region are easily exported to other parts of the world. You can buy a bottle of wine made from grapes grown in your local area or you can buy a bottle imported from another continent. Never before have wine enthusiasts had such a proliferation of wines from which to choose. That's precisely the kind of dilemma I enjoy.

There is usually minimal fanfare associated with the act of drinking a glass of tea or cola. However, there is a great deal of attention paid to wine. Wine is meant to be savored. The same person who had no comment about the color of his last soft drink or the aroma of the tea he guzzled in the previous hour, will take a small sip of wine, close his eyes for an instant, inhale slowly and mumble something about the wine's excellent bouquet.

Wine connoisseurs make judgements based on a wine's color, taste, aroma, and other specific attributes. Collectors fill their wine cellars with bottles of the most valued vintages. Food recipes often include wine as a key ingredient. The finest restaurants customarily offer a selection of wines to compliment their prized entrees. The age-old consensus is that good wine compliments good food. I agree wholeheartedly.

Any in depth discussion of food deserves at least some mention of wine. "The Wine Cellar" is the place where I delve into the delightfully interesting world of vineyards, grapes, wineries and wine. Stay tuned.

Jackie, One Great Dish,

A Guide to Wine Tasting and Technology

"Attractively produced and beautifully illustrated, this handy-sized guide is a useful introduction to the varied wines. Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of grape juice. The natural chemical balance of grapes is such that they can ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes or other nutrients. In essence, this book addresses the question of how to go about making a 'real wine'. This provides a thread of continuity that ties together each of the chapters. These embrace some of the most contentious yet vital issues surrounding wine today, including site selection, planting the vines, organic and biodynamic viticulture, choice or grape variety, wine making techniques, what constitutes a wine fault, and making money. Reading this book is a great pleasure, partly because it is beautifully illustrated and laid out, but also because it is well written and highly informative."

Wines and Wineries of California's Central Coast

In comparative tastings, wines from California's Central Coast rival those from such renowned regions as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Napa, yet they also offer superb value. This is the first comprehensive guide to one of the world's most dynamic and beautiful wine regions-and the setting for the award-winning movie Sideways. An excellent, one-stop resource for touring and tasting at convenient wineries located from Monterey to Santa Barbara, the guide is organized into county-by-county alphabetical listings for this up-and-coming region. Wines and Wineries of California's Central Coast includes: * Profiles of nearly 300 wineries personally visited by the author * Profiles of individual vintners * 5 maps * Winery ratings, plus author and winemaker recommendations * Visitors' and contact information for each winery * Discussions of regional wine history and terroir * Descriptions of designated American Viticultural Areas and grape varietals

Really Fun Wine eBook

A Guide to Wine Tasting and Technology

Wines and Wineries of California's Central Coast