From the Editors

Wine enthusiasts and novices, raise your glasses! The #1 wine book has been extensively updated! If you’re a connoisseur, <i>Wine For Dummies, Fourth Edition</i> will get you up to speed on what’s in and show you how to take your hobby to the next level. If you’re new to the world of wine, it will clue you in on what you’ve been missing and show you how to get started. It begins with the basic types of wine, how wines are made, and more. Then it gets down to specifics: <ul type="disc"> <li>How to handle snooty wine clerks, navigate restaurant wine lists, decipher cryptic wine labels, and dislodge stubborn corks <li>How to sniff and taste wine <li>How to store and pour wine and pair it with food <li>Four white wine styles: fresh, unoaked; earthy; aromatic; rich, oaky <li>Four red wine styles: soft, fruity, and relatively light-bodied; mild-mannered, medium-bodied; spicy; powerful, full-bodied, and tannic <li>What’s happening in the “Old World” of wine, including France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, and Greece <li>What’s how (and what’s not) in the New World of Wine, including Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, and South Africa <li>U.S. wines from California, Oregon, Washington, and New York <li>Bubbling beauties and medieval sweets: champagne, sparkling wines, sherry, port, and other exotic dessert wines </ul> <p> Authors <b>Ed McCarthy</b>, CWE, who is a regular contributor to <i>Wine</i> Enthusiast and <i>The Wine Journal</i> and <b>Mary Ewing-Mulligan</b>, MW, who owns the International Wine Center in New York, have co-authored six wine books in the <i>For Dummies</i> series. In an easy-to-understand, unpretentious style that’s as refreshing as a glass of Chardonnay on a summer day, they provide practical information to help you <i>enjoy</i> wine, including: <ul type="disc"> <li>Real Deal symbols that alert you to good wines that are low in price compared to other wines of similar type, style, or quality <li>A Vintage Wine Chart with specifics on numerous wines <li>Info on ordering wine from out of state, collecting wine, and more </ul> <p> <i>Wine For Dummies, Fourth Edition</i> is not just a great resource and reference, it’s a good read. It’s full-bodied, yet light…rich, yet crisp…robust, yet refreshing….
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Customer Response

Great Introduction to a Fascinating Topic
There are two areas of the business world where I feel completely like a fish out of water - wine and golf. These social skills aren't absolutely necessary, but sure feel darn close to it. This Dummies book really does demystify the wine peice, and makes it very understandable for those of us who think that Franzia is really good, and Burgundy is a color. I highly recommend the book for those who ae intimidated by the restaurant wine list, but are in the position of having to order off of it. Additionally, this is a light read - a toe in the ocean of wine. So, maybe I am not a fish in the water yet - but the toe is in...

Read Many, so far this is the best!
So far this is the best Wine book I've read. Very thorough, complete, and great for beginners. Very explanatory.

Fantastic.
Complete, from the grape to the glass, and everything in between that really does matter. If it's an introduction and a mild education in wine you seek, you cannot go wrong with this book.

Simple and exhaustive
This book is perfect for anybody who (like me before) does not know anything, or not that much about wine.

From the wine making to the etiquette, and going through the particular wine (champagne, sherry, port...), all the subjects to understand the basics are discussed.

I think the way the information is organized is also very well thought to teach about wine to ... well ..dummies! It is very easy to read and well explained.
After having browsed this book, you will be able to understand much better about wine, and even to talk about it.

I was a little surprised not to find any topic about history, role in society etc... this book is just an introduction and just gives you the tool to enjoy a bottle of wine. Do not expect to be an expert about wine regarding economy or history.

My only criticism would be the way French, Italian and Spanish wine have been quickly treated. For instance, I would have liked to have a few names of good producers from Alsace... but instead I was advised to buy the French Wine for Dummies!!!

In a nutshell : a good buy and I will keep this book on my shelf to refresh my memory once in a while.

Great book for beginners!
This book is really helping me learn the basics of wine. It helps you know what to look for in a good wine, and to help direct you to wines you may like. I am really enjoying it!

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