Answers to Wine Questions from Real People

This book is a collection of more than 280 questions about wine from visitors to LocalWineEvents.com on a very wide range of subjects including grape varieties, cellaring, decanting, health concerns, corks, chemical components, tasting techniques, importing and distributing, and queries about regions in, and specific wines from, the U.S., Italy, France, Spain and many more countries. There are insightful and informed discussions of topics such as climate change and wine, ratings and scores, mountain vineyards vs. those on the floor of the Napa Valley, and the meaning of "1er Cru" in Burgundy or "Cru" in Champagne. The answers are written by one of the first U.S. Masters of Wine, who has been both a wine importer and retailer during his long career, and the replies are authoritative yet easily understood. The material is organized into eighteen chapters, and it is a simple matter to refer to a specific subject of interest. Or, a reader may find it stimulating and educational to read through a variety of answers to learn more about wine in all its fascinating dimensions. There are popular issues frequently raised by novice wine drinkers as well as more detailed analysis of technical or esoteric topics which will interest and inform connoisseurs. For this second edition, the author has added footnotes to explain and expand on some of his replies together with color photographs of bottles from his personal cellar to illustrate pertinent wines. The questions have been posted on the Local Wine Events website over recent years, and statistical data and prices have been updated in 2015 so that the answers remain fully accurate. In sum, the book is both a handy reference when a particular question about wine comes to mind as well as an enjoyable read for anyone intrigued by the subject.