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The Wine Bible, by Karen MacNeil
(reviewed by Marisa D'Vari)
Imagine yourself at one of the popular new
wine bars in your town. You are sipping a glass of red wine perfumed
with notes of violet and lavender – a departure from your
typical request for a California Cabernet Sauvignon. You take another
sip and wonder what combination of soil and sunlight could produce
such a succulent wine? Your curiosity roused, you look at the label
on the bottle and see it is from the Languedoc – a region
in Southern France.
Suddenly, you are bursting with questions
about the region. What grape is the wine made from? What is the
typical climate of the area? Who are the top winemakers in the region?
And if you were going to serve it at a dinner party, what foods
would pair best with it?
Karen MacNeil, director of the wine program
at the Culinary Institute of America in the Napa Valley, has crafted
an excellent book in the appropriately named book, THE WINE BIBLE,
a terrific 910 page resource for amateur and seasoned wine lovers
alike. This book starts out with the basics, with MacNeil explaining
the elements, such as sun, water, and soil necessary for good wine,
and goes on to the more complex issues of wine making and regional
styles.
What I liked best about the book is that
MacNeil takes you to vineyards all over the world, describing the
climate and terrain with such detail and color you will feel as
if you are there, by her side, seeing it for yourself. She even
introduces you to winemakers, taking you deep into their dank, dark
cellars so you can taste the wine for yourself. Then she describes
the local cuisine in such tantalizing detail you’ll want to
rush out and create your own wine and food pairing based on the
succulent flavors described in that chapter.
You will find many ways to use this book.
Instead of reading it from beginning to end, you might try to use
it as a reference guide. Did you have a great Chianti at a restaurant
and want to find out more about the region? Pick up this book and
go to the appropriate chapter. Are you having friends over for drinks
and want to show off your wine sophistication? Read up on the wines
you’ll be serving and surprise your guests with some fun,
colorful facts about the wine. Do you love to cook and are you eager
to find the perfect pairing for a recipe you just saw in Food &
Wine magazine? You’ll find it in this incredible resource.
Here are some other things you will discover:
- how to taste and analyze wine like a professional
- how to read a wine label - how to write your own tasting notes
- how to store and serve wine - and much more.
With this book in hand, you can set up your
own classes, or study sessions. One week you might study the wines
of France, and buy wines from the region. The next week, you can
do the same thing with Spain. What makes it even more fun is if
you can get a partner or some friends together and make a party
of it.
So the next time you find yourself in a wine
bar, eager to learn more about what you are drinking, or in a wine
store, wondering what to buy, sneak a peek in this book. Sooner
than you think, friends and co-workers will see you as the go-to
wine expert in your circle.
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