Wine For Dummies (For Dummies (Cooking))

• #5 in Best Wine Books

62 Reviews

Sort by: Most Helpful ▲ Date Rating

This book offers an excellent introduction into wines. If you know little about wines, but want a quick, fun and easy way to learn, this book is for you. After reading this book, I was able to talk intelligently about the different varieties of wines, how wine is made and how to taste wines. This book has improved my social and professional life. At business dinners, I'm able to talk about wines and navigate through the wine list intelligently. On the social front, I recently held an amatuer wine tasting at my house and it was big success. One chapter in the book explains all the attributes and nuances you could sense in a wine. I organized the attributes with the descriptions in a table, with a few blank columns for wine tasting notes. My guests were entertained and educated at the same time.

The writing is clear and concise. The authors do not take a snobby attitude towards tasting; throughout the book, they emphasize that good wine is primarily determined by personal choice. They give you the tools to learn to taste and enjoy wine.

I read at an average rate. In about 2 hours, I was able to talk intelligently about the wine making process, understand how to taste wines, and navigate around wine shops. This book should be read over a period of several weeks so that you can actually practice what you've read. The only drawback with this book is that there are no colorful pictures and they weren't very explicit about which flavors to concentrate on while drinking different wine varieties.

Overall, this book is excellent for beginners. After reading the first few chapters, you'll go from beginner to an intermediate wine buff. I even purhased several of these books for my friends as Christmas gifts!

I'm not an expert oeneophile (in fact, I can't even spell it), but I am an interested amateur who has read about 5 basic books on wine ranging from Parkers famous one to lesser known tomes (the Windows on the World one is good too). I think this dummies book offers the least pretentious and most concise overall guide to wine. It does cover a lot of ground which is why the same authors have separate books on white and red wines. On the bright side, you'll learn about every major grape variety and region in the wine world and how to find great bargains. I really enjoyed the tone and attitude -- the authors clearly know a lot, but make it clear that you don't have to be a wine snob to really enjoy wine.

This was my first book on wine. I've read numerous books on beer, so that was my background coming into the book.

There's a lot of info in the book, but I feel like there is too little practical info and too much "academic" info.

Indeed, three-forths of the book are devoted to the history and geography of wines. Don't get me wrong, this stuff is extremely important; it is the geography and the winery which makes the wine what it is. The problem is that in this regard, the book reads more like "Wine for Experts" than "Wine for Dummies".

In a book for complete novices, you would expect a table, chart, or other easy-to-read section on all of the major types of wine, broken down by various properties such as appearance, smell, taste, etc. "What's a Chardonnay? What's Pinot Noir?" But there isn't anything like that. There are a couple of pages which briefly mention three to four of the most popular varietals in both white and red, but that's it. There's a short section on how to smell/taste wine, which is good, but then you're left to page after page of French legal classification systems and all kinds of other stuff.

Again, that "stuff" is important, and I'm glad it's in there, but it's kinda difficult to get a *basic* grasp on wine by reading all of the expert material, when they never gave you a halfway decent foundation to start with (and I even speak French; if you don't, it will be an even steeper learning curve). And that is my problem with this book.

This is an okay book, but if one of my friends asked, I could not honestly recommend it to someone who knows absolutely nothing about wine. If you already have a fair amount of experience with wine, then you will be okay with this book, but if you are a complete beginner, I would recommend something more basic, because this book really isn't for "dummies" in the subject.

Wine can be mystifying. There are countless names of wines, some indicating the grape used, some the place, some both. A Chardonnay is a wine made from that grape, unless it's being used in a region of France, in which case it's called Chablis. Some wine is ready to drink when you buy it, but others need 10-20 years of aging. The bottle doesn't have a "drink by" date on it! For people looking to travel this confusing landscape, and even for long-time drinkers who wish to learn more, Wine for Dummies is a fascinating way to delve into the world of wine.

What other manual has 5th Wave cartoons scattered throughout it, and sections named "Pinot Envy"? The tone of the manual is lighthearted but very informative. It starts with the basics of wine - what is a red, white, and rose wine, and a quick description of how each is made. It goes into tasting wine - how to best get the flavors out of a wine, and how to describe the wine to others in a way they might understand.

Next the various terms are discussed - blending, filtering, and so on. Grapes are described, with descriptions of how they have different flavors depending on where they are planted. Notes describe how organic farming, sulfites, and tannins are involved in grape-growing.

One section goes in depth into the whole wine-naming dilemma, describing various place names and what grapes are used there. Another section goes step-by-step through the normal process of ordering wine in a restaurant, and dealing with the waiter's presentation.

The language of labels is described, from Californian labels where usually the grape name and winery name are important, to European wines where typically the location and year are prominent. Varieties of labels are described, with notes on what to watch for.

The manual goes into each wine making region - France, Italy, Spain, the US, and many others - describing what wines are typical there, what makes the region unique, what to watch for. A special section on Champagne goes over the methode champenoise and how similar methods are used in many countries. Good Champagnes to try in the various styles are listed out for reference.

In general, Wine for Dummies covers just about any questions a newcomer to wine would have, and does so in an easy to understand and fun manner. I'd highly recommend this to all wine newbies!

If your idea of a good wine means that it doesn't have ascrew top, but you genuinely want to learn more about thecorked types, this is the book for you! This books takes much of the mystery out of WHY wine snobs do some of that silly looking stuff while at the same time pointing out which of those things are worth the effort and which aren't.

Additionally, it turned out to be an invaluable reference for starting to look at the shelves in the local liquor store. The time prior to reading this book, I picked wines based on who had the prettiest label - while I did get one really good wine out of that batch, it wasn't a very dependable method. The next trip, I took a list I had made from this book and have been MUCH happier with the results.

In the end, this is an excellent reference book and a does a great job of demystifying the rites and ritual of wine. I highly recommend it!

I was always intimdated by the thought of ordering and buying wine. Wine for Dummies opened the door to a whole new world of experiences. This book helped me understand the different types, vintages, and tastes of wine. It gives clear information and explanations, and answers most any question you could have on the subject of wines. With this book as your guide, you will have no problem navigating a wine list in a restaurant, or the aisles of your local wine shop. There is information on pairing wine and food, how to serve wine, and how to store it. It is the most complete book on wine that I have read to date.

I found that it was easiest to concentrate on one section at a time, rather than to try to read and understand everything at once. Also, it was kind of fun reading one section, then trying some of the wines suggested by the authors, or simply trying the different kinds of wine in the section. The authors really know their wines.

This book will easily become the one you refer to most. It is concise, well-organized and easy to follow.

A lot of useful information, but the book has not been updated in a few years and all of the vintage charts end in 1996. A lot has happened in the world of wines since 1996. Try a book that is updated every year like "Windows on the World Complete Wine Course: 2003". I own both books and much prefer Windows on the World.

I read this book when I was first beginning to experience the wonderful world of wine, and it has been a great resource for me. A quick read, the book is organized into chapters on choosing wines at shops and restaurants, where and how wines are made, choosing wine to go with food, and descriptive terms for wine. (They even have pronunciations for wine terms. No more looking stupid at dinner parties!) Also, the book touches on some of the major wine-makers that it pays to be familiar with.

I really like the attitude that the authors take towards the subject matter. They seem to think (as I do) that wine is not a snobby subject to learn about. It's about something most of us are already familiar with - what tastes we like and don't like. Easy, huh? They emphasize that wine is to be enjoyed, not agonized over.

I like the way the content is interspersed with funny comics, highlighted tips, and even little technical blurbs about wine. (There are also "snob alerts" throughout the book! They address some of the attitudes self-proclaimed "wine experts" sometimes express. What a hoot!)

All in all, a great read. Based on the book's advice, I bought a small, pocket-sized wine book. When I'm out at a restaurant or party and I taste something I like, I jot it down in the book for future reference. Then, I use the book when I go to the wine shop or when I'm eating out. Great suggestion!

About six years ago, I first caught the wine bug. A novice at the time, I recall that perusing wine shops was both a joyful and dreadful experience. Just trying to decipher the information (in foreign languages, most) on one wine-label was daunting enough, let alone trying to pick a good wine from the hundreds lining the aisles. Today, I am fortunate enough to work in a wine shop, and I can easily spot the same dread on my customers faces. Wine is supposed to be fun, right? So why is it so dang complicated?!

What got me safely from the "novice" to the "intermediate" stage - and what I tell customers might well do the same for them - is Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan's book "Wine for Dummies." This is the single best beginners guide to wine I've seen on the market, then and now. It strikes a perfect balance between informality and informativity, casualness and usefulness. Delving into everything from how to shop for, open, and taste wines, to explaining the basics of what the different grapes are and which regions excel in each, there is a lot of ground covered in an easy to digest style. (There is even attention paid to that often missed detail of how to pronounce intimidating wine terms like Qualitatswein and - my favorite - Trockenbeerenauslese.)

Thus, six years after I first caught the wine bug, I still find myself skimming these pages for their straight-forward and concise answers to the many questions the world of wine throws at me. Hopefully, it will do for you what it did for me: take an utter novice and turn him into an unbridled wine enthusiast without causing too much of a mental headache along the way (as some books do). This is why I reccomend the book to my customers and why I unhesitatingly reccomend it to you!

When I was a kid and I got to go out for dinner with my folks, I remember my dad teaching me how to choose a wine. He showed me how to select a wine according to what we were having for dinner, demonstrated swirling and sniffing techniques, and discussed the local California wineries. It was great!

Then I grew up and forgot most of what he told me.

The good news is that this book contains everything my dad told me and more! But what I liked best about this book (besides the refresher course) was that it was written in an easy-to-follow, matter-of-fact manner. The tips were practical, the commentary was light-hearted, and at times I almost felt like I was reading instructions written especially for me by a friend.

A definite "must-have" for anyone who wants to add a bit of practical culture to his or her repertoire!

I have always enjoyed drinking wines, but I never knew how to combine them with food, distinguish a good wine from a bad one or how to read a label. I had read some books about this topic before, but none of them was good enough for my level.

This book answered all the questions I had. It is the first step that a beginner has to take in the fascinating world of wines, in order to enjoy more what they drink.

In a very easy to understand language, the authors explain everything you need to know about different types of wine, grapes, how to taste a wine, vintages, what a wine consists of and what we should take into account when we taste it.
Then the reader is presented in details the most important wine regions of the world. It has very interesting tips and charts about wines that you should try at least once in your life.

The explanations are so clear and specific, that at the end of the book you will realise you have no more questions. Read each chapter attentively and try to remember every detail. Only after having done that, move on to the next chapter. So, you won't mix wine denominations, types of grapes and areas.
The book is very entertaining and concise, by far one of the best manuals.

After having read that, I promise, you will no longer be afraid to order a wine in a restaurant or will know what bottle to buy in a wine store by simply reading its label.

Also, don't forget to practice what you read. Everytime you have a bottle of wine on your table, open the book and read. Next time you will remember easily that specific wine, the grapes it was made of and its taste.

The are only two things I regret about the book: it is not updated (the vintage charts end in 1996) and it does not have attached a video tape. It would have been more useful in order to understand better certain chapters.

I wanted to learn more about wines in general but this book simply did not do the job well and it ended up making me more confused than ever before.Really not recommended for someone who wants to learn about wine without going into too much cumbersome details.

OK, I admit it. I hate these damn idiot books... but this one is great. I hate the ones I browse through in the bookstores on topics on which I know something. Perhaps that's why I loved this one? I've been into wine for a couple of years but knew almost nothing. One could say I was prepared to read this book then. Nevertheless, the book was precisely what I was looking for. It covered the whole kit and kaboodle, from the making of wine to the different sensations associated with different wine types to wine areas to how to order it in a restaurant. There's just tons of myths and disinformation out there about wine, and this book exposes them all. Truly a great one in my humble opinion.

I bought this before I was really into wine, and found it an interesting flip. Recently I had a chance to purchase and taste many different wines. Then I started to appreciate this book. Every time after I bought or opened a bottle, I'll go to the book. Its topics are all arranged in excellent sequence, with enough independence from chapter to chapter that can encourage self-contained read on any given section. For example, you can easily hop into the book to just find basic information on wines from down under, or look up which are the first and second growths chateau producing Bordeaux wines. As a reference, it's simple to use when you want to obtain certain basic wine information (even easier then searching from google). As a read, it's also fun enough. For a novice in wine drinking like me, this is a perfect starter, and I'm sure it'll be an indispensable guide for a while (until I really become an expert, if ever)

Wine For Dummies is an excellent beginners textbook on the subject. It covers a broad range of topics and concerns that the complete novice will have no problem understanding. After reading this book thoroughly, one can immediatley feel comfortable ordering and discussing a variety of wine types. Two really important points the book makes concerning the seemingly mysterious world of wine are: 1)No one in the world knows everthing about wine. 2)I am my own best judge of wine quality.

This book is a great springboard to more in-depth reading about the whole wine industry.

Although I have enjoyed drinking wine for many years, I was aware that my knowledge and understanding of the subject left much to be desired. I chose Wine For Dummies in hopes of gaining a firm grounding in wine and was not disappointed.

While I can't compare it to other books on the subject, I found Wine For Dummies to provide a very thorough overview of practically every conceivable aspect of wine. Ever wonder exactly what those wine "aficionados" were doing when they swirled, sniffed, slurped and swished around their wine? It's all in here. There's also advice on: buying wines at restaurants and in stores; how to read wine labels; the best corkscrews and wine glasses; letting wines breath (or "aerate," to use the proper term); proper storage; etc. This, of course, is all in addition to page upon page on the different grape varieties used to make wine, the different countries and regions where wine is produced, and the types of wine each region is known for. The scope even includes sparkling wines as well as "fortified" (wine with alcohol added) and dessert wines. I must admit, when the authors began introducing the 12-plus varieties of both white-wine and red-wine grapes, I began feeling as though I could've used a glass of wine myself. These varieties, however, kept popping up throughout the book and they eventually began to sink in.

Wine For Dummies will not make you a wine expert but, having read it from cover to cover (no easy task at 400 pages), I feel I have a much better understanding and appreciation for wine and I've found that I no longer find "wine snobs" (as they're called in the book) to be intimidating.

The best thing about this book is that it is written by two real wine experts, who remember well what it was like to be a "wine newbie."

Ed is a former teacher who became interested, in wine, and met Mary at an Italian wine tasting in New York City. Two years later, they married, and formally merged their wine cellars and wine libraries. Ed has co-authored six wine books, and is the sole author of Champagne for Dummies. He also writes for Wine Enthusiast Magazine and Decanter.

Mary entered the retail wine business right out of college, when she accepted a position with the Italian Trade Commission. Today she runs a wine school based in New York City called International Wine Center, which mainly trains wine professionals. She is also a wine columnist for the NY Daily News. Mary is the first female Master of Wine (MW) in the United States, and one of only 19 MW's in the country (with 240 worldwide).

Both Ed and Mary are Certified Wine Educators (CWE). Ed and Mary write wine columns in Nation's Restaurant News, and in Beverage Media.

Having had many years of experience drinking wine (but without really knowing what I was doing), and having taken a wine course over the internet two times, I felt ready to invest in a couple of wine books. Everyone one on the American Amazon site absolutely raved about this book. When I received the book, I found all the raving to be completely UNDERstated!

The book is divided into six sections, and is extremely clear, and user-friendly. Section One deals with wine and wine-making, tasting and wine vocabulary, grape varieties, and pricing. Section Two deals with navigating wine shops and restaurant lists, all about serving and using wine (with some surprisingly helpful tips I'd never heard of), and judging wine labels.

Section Three explains and has separate chapters each of France, Italy, and Elsewhere in Europe. Another chapters discusses wine of Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and South Africa. there is a another large chapter on American Wines, covering California well, in addition to covering Oregon Washington, New York State, as well as a brief mention of both Ontario and British Columbia. A final chapter in Part Three deals with fortified wines--their history, and varieties--Sherry, Marsala, Port, Madeira, and Sauternes.

Section Four discusses wine information sources--publications, classes, tastings, auctions, catalogs, and on-line ordering. Next is explained how to write tasting notes, how to marry wine with food, and how to decide what kind of wine person you are--serious, small, or non-collector, and suggested wine strategies good for each type of wine person to follow. Also covered is how to invest in wine.

Section Five deals with most of the common wine questions, such as if wine is fattening, what vintage to buy, new and old oaks, who is a wine expert, if imported wines are better, if a wine has to be expensive to be good, and when to drink various wines. Part Six consists of various useful appendixes.
I learned SO much useful information from reading this book. If there were a higher rating than five stars, this book should have it. It is one of the best books I've read in the past couple of years.

I would also recommend another book to supplement this book, called The Wine Guy, by Andy Besch. It covers completely different aspects of wine purchasing, tasting, comparing, and finding out what YOU enjoy yourself.

The second edition of "Wine for Dummies" (WfD) is an excellent value. In an hour or so, you can get up to speed quick enough not to be totally embarrassed at a wine shop. After reading the whole book, you will have a surprising amount of information at your disposal. There is good coverage of tips on wine tasting, selecting, collecting, etc. There is also very good coverage of the various types of wine and the major countries that make it available. Near the end is a FAQ of sorts which is helpful, as are the appendices. Very little wasteful information (i.e., fluff) and the information is very good stuff. Highly recommended.

I bought this book while I was still in college. I knew nothing about wine, but this book brought me up to speed quickly! Sometimes I dislike the "Dummies" books because they tend to be too long on stupids jokes and too short on actual information. This book, however, was very satisfactory in giving me the vocabulary and knowledge of the entire culture that surrounds wine. Reading half of this book put me at an advantage compared to everyone my age when it comes to the world of fine wine!

A good introduction to the world of wine. One of the best Dummies books I have read. Packed with technical facts, geography, and terms. The pronunciation guides were very helpful, especially since much of wine's terminology comes from the French - who have a different word for everything. With all the detail, however, the book was a very easy read.

I read the book this past weekend. Tonight, I stood in front of the wine display in a local resturant and actually began to understand what I was looking at. Where it came from, what grapes were used to make it, etc. Looking forward to practicing some of what I have learned! ;-)

All I knew about wine was what I liked. I didn't know how to tell someone what that might be. So I decided to pick this up, and I've had great success with my adventures. I don't mind spending a little money on a bottle of wine, but I don't like to waste it. This book has made me both more brave, and more successful with my wine adventures!

This is a very good meat and potatoes wine book to have on hand around the house. I find the explanations to have high clarity, which is important in a wine book. I also like the summary boxes in the beginning of the book and the vintage chart. The book does a good job of giving a little bit of information on different wine types, so that you don't get overwhelmed. The Dummies symbols throughout the book though seem to me unnecessary.

I also really enjoy Windows of the World, Oldman's Guide, and World Atlas.

For someone who's a complete novice to wine (I qualify), the book will start out very enjoyably, especially if you are interested in the wine making process. It gives you a good understanding of the types of wines, and what the names on the labels mean.

The book does go a bit too much into the listing of names that mean nothing to a novice, with little room left to go into much depth about those listed. Much could have been left for the authors more specific wine books.

The area that could use improvement is in the organization of the book, specifically to serving and storage. Everything seems to be there, but it stretched thoughout the book, when it needs to be in a single area for easy reference.

It's all there, but you'll have to pick around to find all the really important bits.

I'm a student at Cornell and taking a class called Wines in the School of Hotel Administration. Believe it or not, this is our textbook! It's THAT good.

Wine is complex with all its grapes and regions and producers. This book helps to simplify and compartmentalize much of this complexity into useable, workable info.

Start with grape types and clear away the snobbish smoke of much of the vino knowledge, this book delves into wine lists when dining and labels when purchasing.

Extremely useful are chapters are serving and storing and collecting from major wine areas.

Least useful part which could use more is pairing with food.

One might benefit also from reading Andrea Immer's books which to this reader clarify and provide food pairing info in superb style and manner.

I have found "Wine for Dummies" to be really helpful in my understanding of wine. I have had a fair amount of experience with wine prior to reading the book, but realized how much I had to learn, and how much incorrect information I had learned. I am frequently looking up wine-related questions and can almost always find the answer I'm looking for. I would highly recommend this book not only to wine novices, but also to people who have a good deal of experience with wine but simply want to clarify and learn more.

He very good start if you want to know more about wine. A must for everyone who loves wine and wants to have a clear overview

I am a wine director for a large restaurant in Boston. I have used this book extensivly to assist me in wording "wine speak" so that the average waitstaff will understand. It is thorough, clear and at times humerous. I highly recommend this as an educational tool, and a personal addition to your wine library.

I live in N.E. MN and although I study wines, I never knew how to pronounce those names! Wine for dummies provides a pronunciation guide that is easy to follow (and accurate!) Thanks for making me appear more "than a dummy!"

You will actually learn a lot from this entry in the "...for Dummies" series. It lacks the rigor and scholarship of most of the "...for Dummies" books, but you'll know more when you finish it than you did before you started. You'll learn that most wine flavors are actually aromas, you'll learn about tannins, what is in balance in a "balanced" wine, what oak barrels do, and even what malolactic fermentation is (it's what makes Chardonnay "buttery.") You'll definitely learn what grapes are used to make our familiar wines, and you'll learn technical terms, like "extract," and "foxy." You'll learn the difference between "fermented" in oak, versus "aged" in oak. And you'll learn all about corkscrews. Unfortunately, the authors' efforts to lighten the subject with humor completely fails; it seems slapstick after the interesting material they cover. One of the authors' primary messages is that wine is a matter of taste, and we should all have the confidence to make up our own minds. They help us with the vocabulary we'll need to communicate our conclusions to others, and they convey their affection for their specialty. You may roll your eyeballs when they gush over France and French wines, but we actually do owe the French our gratitude for its contribution to viniculture. Read "Wine for Dummies" to fill in the gaps in your knowledge, and skip the jokes.

This book is very easy to read and is a good introduction to the world of wine. The tear-out card in the front of the book is easy to carry with you to help with choosing the right wine for your meal at a restaurant. The glossary explains unfamiliar terms and the chapter headings are logically organized. Without being patronizing, the book explains the basics of wine making, flavor characteristics, and food pairings.

A newbie wine lover, or wondering what all the fuss is about? This is the best place to start. Amazing to see most of the wine regions covered in detail or atleast enough detail to give you the confidence to buy a particular type of wine. Also enough pointers to steer you away from the "Liebfraumilch"'s of the wine world.

You will find yourself picking it up for a quick reference long after reading it cover to cover.

[I have the 2nd edition so my review is based on it. I expect the newer edition will have more uptodate information.]

After my trip to Paris, and finding out that I thoroughly enjoyed drinking French wine, and at the urging of D'Arcy to discover and enjoy drinking good wine, I have set out to educate myself about wine. This was my first book to tackle. It is well worth reading if you know next to nothing about wine. It is well organized and has a lot of information presented in a great way. I have learned a lot and have discovered some good wine, some great wine, and one really bad Bordeaux!! It is fun and is something that a couple can enjoy together and with friends. If school were this fun I would have gone for a PHD. While not a previous fan of the "For Dummies" series, this one is worth reading!!

If you ever wanted to know what all those words on the French wine labels mean and get a lesson in geography too, this is the book for you. This book enables one to successfully select a wide variety of wines from various countries and types of grapes based on what one already knows one likes.

This introductory book, which is similar to but doesn't significantlyduplicate the same authors' "Red Wine for Dummies" and "White Wine for Dummies," covers considerable ground; I'd advise the newcomer to the wine hobby begin with this general book before moving to the "Red" and "White" editions, which cover a bit more detailed and advanced information. Despite the self-deprecating "dummies" concept, the authors present wine with just a whiff of snootiness hanging in the air. Still, there's ample content here, and it's presented in easily digestible form.

To educate myself about wine, I've read several books on the topic. I find that Wine For Dummies, 4th edition, suits my needs and tastes best. Wine For Dummies is thorough and easy to imbibe, definitely a top-shelf Dummies title. I own about a dozen For Dummies books and love them all (so call me a "dummy" but Dummies books have made me smart!). I am sure that this vintage guide, like many of the fine wines it celebrates, will age well. Ten years from now (when the '05 Bordeaux are mature and ready to pour), I will still be able to glean helpful hints from its pages before restocking the wine cellar, or in my case, the homemade, basement wine rack. My wife and I have happily sampled many of the wines that the book recommends. When we sip a Margaux or a Barolo, we often let the wine whisk us off to the landscapes where the grapes grew. In our imaginations, aided by Wine for Dummies' brief descriptions, we can almost see the grapes ripening on Tuscan hills or the slopes of the Cote de Nuits. Why not, the weather of each vintage is still in the grapes; why shouldn't the landscapes live on in the wines? Recently we've discovered a way to enhance our Out-Of-Ohio experiences and bring those faraway places into sharper focus. We read Art History For Dummies while sipping our favorite Wine For Dummies-inspired vintages.

Art History and wine go together as well as, well, wine and cheese. We've learned to taste particular wines while savoring specific chapters of Art History. What a cultural banquet and tour! It's like simultaneously tasting and seeing France, Italy or Spain, without forking out $1,000 for a plane ticket or vacationing on jet lag!

Here's our short list of wine and art history pairings:

While reading chapter 13 in Art History For Dummies, "Going Loco with Rococo," we sipped an Italian bubbly called Prosecco (which Wine For Dummies calls "eminently affordable")--though pink champagne may be a more fitting match since both Rococo and champagne derive from French soil. Or try a little of both! Art History for Dummies says, "In the early 18th century, the upper classes--first in France, then all over Europe--rejected Baroque sobriety and got DRUNK [my emphasis] on ornamentation: swirling fanciful curves; bright pastel colors; dripping gold filigree; and sensuous scenery." It was a partying period. What better way to wobble your way back to the Rococo than with a Wine For Dummies' flight.

Wine For Dummies calls wine "the lifeblood of the Italian people." We've found that reading about the Italian Renaissance while drinking a velvety Italian red like Barolo, Amarone, or a Barbera d'Asti really heightens the experience--you get right into that Italian lifeblood. Wine For Dummies says "Both Barolo and Barbaresco are robust reds....Their aromas suggest tar, violets, roses, ripe strawberries, and (sometimes) truffles." To me, they now also suggest Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo! (I must add that the Da Vinci section of Art History For Dummies includes an enlightening Da Vinci Code detour--I wouldn't sip too much while navigating this sub-section.)

If you prefer something more exotic as you delve into the Venetian Renaissance (chapter 12), try a Bellini. Art History For Dummies says, "If you order a Bellini in a bar, the bartender will serve you a drink made from white peaches and Italian champagne. The mixture has a distinct pink glow...the same beautiful shade of pink that Giovanni Bellini once mixed on his palette and applied to such masterpieces as his San Zaccaria Altarpiece in Venice. What better compliment for a Renaissance painter than to have the colors he mixed 500 years ago still inspire revelers today!"

For the Spanish Baroque crack open a Rioja, which Wine For Dummies says "rules the roost," or better yet a Ribera, especially while letting your eyes wander over the mystical canvases of Jusepe de Ribera! WFD says of this Spanish red: "Perhaps no where else in the world does the Tempranillo grape variety reach such heights, making wines with body, deep color and finesse." Sounds almost like they're describing a Spanish painting.

We matched a Cote du Rhone with the Post-Impressionism chapter, especially the sections on van Gogh and Cezanne, who painted in Provence, just south of the Rhone region. Wine For Dummies says Cote du Rhone "is one of the best, inexpensive red wines in the world." Even van Gogh could afford it! WFD gets a little art-historical in this section: "Provence...may be France's most beautiful region. Home of the Riviera, Nice and Cannes, it's certainly the country's most fashionable and touristy region. But it's also an ancient land, with a thriving old capital Aix-en-Provence. The excellent light and climate have always attracted great artists--such as Vincent van Gogh--who painted many of their best works here. Wine has always been part of Provence's culture and economy." You might also try the Les Baux-de-Provence or a Bandol, which WFD notes "enjoys Provence's greatest reputation for reds."

Hands down, most people's favorite "art ism" is Impressionism. For French Impressionism, I suggest a summery French rosé. Or if you prefer to digest your Monets and Renoirs with a shimmering white, uncork a Vouvray from the Loire Valley or a Chablis from Northern Burgundy and picture yourself sitting at the front table in Renoir's Moulin de la Galette: "Sunlight filtering through the surrounding trees bathes the gay company in dappled light, lending a breezy look to the scene, which gives it both immediacy and the feeling of an unending summer." (Art History for Dummies)

For the section on American Abstract Expressionists, especially Jackson Pollock, we opened a Ravenswood Zin, a dazzling Sonoma wine that really attunes you to what AHFD call's Pollock's "exhilarating explosions of energy on canvas." Just don't spill or splash your wine.

Together both Dummies books provide a rich cultural journey that will uplift anyone's tastes.

I was a typical "I'm not a wine person" person until a few friends introduced me to some tasty wines. I then bought this book and it completely enhanced my appreciation of wine. Wine for Dummies didn't make me a wine expert (I don't know that I'll ever be one), but it gave me a solid basis for at least knowing how to appreciate wines by terroir and varietal (and even just knowing what those words mean!) and furthering my excitement of this wonderful hobby. I look forward to many more fabulous tastes and furthering my knowledge on the subject. If you don't think you're a wine person, buy this book and at least give it a chance - it could change your perspective on food and give you a new appreciation of life forever!

This is a great book for all of those who are interested in wine. It's very well written and very simple. It makes it easy to understand the many things about drinking, choosing, tasting, etc.. unlike those fancy and expensive books that are somehow hard to understand if you don't have any knowledge of the subject.

This book was highly recommended to me and has lived up to expectations! It's a great place to start learning about wine in a thorough, detailed way. I am using it like a textbook, concentrating on a chapter at a time and tasting wines as I learn . It would be great if the authors had included a quiz to test yourself after finishing the course!

If you're starting a job in food service and need to learn about wine, this book is for you. If you want to appreciate the finer qualities of wine, this book is a great place to start. If you want to keep up with your snotty friends and act as if you know what you're talking about, you definitely need this book. Tells you how wine is made, the best vintages, how to buy and serve....the works....Enjoy! :)

This book takes the complete wine ignoramus by the hand on a journey covering all of the basics. VERY well written, nothing is left to chance as they anticipate most questions you could think of. How different wines are made, characteristics of different wines, and buying and serving wine are covered. Then it's off to explore the wine regions of the world, and includes advice on winery touring. The book includes the following: Tasting and describing wine, Matching food and wine, Storing and aging. A pronunciation guide, glossary, and vintage charts are also helpful. They then recommend sources of more information if all that wasn't enough. You won't go wrong with this book.

The basic wine book. You can find from what tipe of grape is used in the Saint-Emillion to how many boxes of a wine France produces. I reccomend it, from non-drinkers to great wine coinosseurs.

Very good book. Describes many aspects of the world of wine in a way that doesn't require previous knowledge. Also, not the least bit pretentious or arrogant. For anyone interested in wine, this is a great start.

I love this book and any newbie to wine will to. It's got more than enough information to give anyone the fundamental understanding of what wine is about. Enjoy the journey and cheers to everyone!

The information is presented in such detailed and in a carefully arranged format. Excellent reference document for someone who wants to get a handle on wine basics.

One of the things I found most enjoyable about this book was its amusing approach to wine and wine drinkers. All kidding aside, this book is filled with lots of great information about wine. It is actually much more comprehensive than I ever would have expected. Good book!

I love the 'dummies' series of books. Great, to the point, information, without making you feel...well..stupid.

I bought this book, and have been pleased with the results.

You can easily taste the difference using the Perfect Sommelier, and following the guidelines in the book, you can actually taste 'mellowness' and tamed tanins, which, before the book, I had no idea about.

I love this book. It's a breeze to read, fun and easy to understand, and it has finally explained the world of wine to me. Before I got it, all I knew was that old rule: white with poultry/fish, red with beef/veal. There's so much more to wine! If you're interested in wine and would like to start from the very beginning, this book is a keeper.

Plenty of detail, all laid-out in an easy-to-understand manner. The "snob alerts" are esp. amusing -- proof that you can appreciate fine wines w/out having your nose stuck up in the air ;-)

This is a concise, easy to read book on wine that is fairly thorough and extremely practical. It makes wine very accessible and enjoyable to all.

This is a really excellent book. I would consider it the second best wine book out there. The first being Windows on the World Complete Wine Course: 2007 Edition (Windows on the World Complete Wine Course). I suggest buying both to gain a thorough knowledge of wine.

For those of us who are wine-challenged. Do you cringe when the waiter asks if you want to see the wine list? Red or white? Oh what would the waiter suggest..or just order a beer. This book can help you look reasonably competent when ordering or purchasing wine to go with your meal.

The book, Le Vin Pour Les Nuls, or Wine for Dummies, by McCarthy, Ewing-Mulligan, and Cassetari, is, of course, a book about wine. Without becoming a five pound dictionary, this book brings together just about everything you need to know about wine-from how to start your own cave to what wine to choose in a nice restaurant.

Who needs a book about wine? Let's look at some of the values of wine. First of all, wine is art. This can be seen by simply watching an œnologue (professional wine taster) at work. He can taste a wine-without seeing the label-and tell you what region the wine is from, the year of harvest, whether there was much rain or much sun, and he may even be able to tell you the name of the Chateau from whence it came. Then he would go on to tell you the different qualities of the wine: its tannins and bouquet; whether it tears properly; the aftertaste that it has; its colour, shape, form, and aroma. Secondly, we see that wine has an important place in the Bible. The first thing Noah did when he came out of the ark was to plant a vineyard. Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine. Psalm 104 says that wine "gladdens the heart of man". Paul advices Timothy, "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses." And thirdly, wine is part of being cultured. Colette once said, "Beware of young women who love neither wine nor truffles nor cheese nor music."

So now we see why Le Vin Pour Les Nuls is such an important book. It gives the opportunity for the common "dummy" to learn about wines and to make the right choices concerning them. But it is also an excellent resource for the professional wine enthusiast. It is a book for all levels. It explains where wine came from; the difference between white wine, red wine, and rosé; and the mysterious techniques for the tasting of wine; it talks about price differences and how to get the best wine for your budget. It gives a "must taste" list of all the great wines; and it lists all the important wines by country. This book, as its front cover says, is a "grand cru" of wine guides, and is to be consumed without moderation.

Lots of useful information, but i found the K.I.S.S. series book on wine more useful.

Not a bad book. I skimmed it to get an idea of things. Too thick to read all the way through.

This is an excellent, well-written introduction to the world of wine

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.

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.

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!

So you want to get an idea about how and why's of wine in the world. This is the book.

I love the 'dummies' series of books. Great, to the point, information, without making you feel...well..stupid. P>You can easily taste the difference using the Perfect Sommelier, and following the guidelines in the book, you can actually taste 'mellowness' and tamed tanins, which, before the book, I had no idea about.

A really great book of the for Dummies series. It makes wine easy, and finally understandable. I'm a enology student I this book has really helped not only me but my classmates. Amazon.com will recieve new orders soon. I guarantee... Simply great!