Wine can be a
delightful way to relax after a hard day, accompany a meal, or share
with friends, but some people take the pleasure to exquisite
extremes. After reading the Winemaker Detective Series, I was
fascinated by some people’s ability to sip wine and be able to give
a complete history of the grape, the area where the wine was
produced, the vineyard, the flavors, tannins, and the wine’s legs.
The author listened
to sommeliers describe the wines available at good restaurants and
wondered if these people had been gifted genetically with extra
powers of taste and smell. Taking a year and a half, she absorbed
herself in the wine culture learning what it takes to become a
sommelier. After reading the book, I know it has to be an obsession.
People spend all their time tasting wine, learning about vineyards,
and memorizing vintages.
The book is filled
with amusing incidents and self-deprecating humor. It is also filled
with information on the sommelier exam and how to prepare for it,
scientific information on smell and taste, and the etiquette of blind
tastings. Her travels range from the wine culture of New York city to
vineyards in California.
The book is also
filled with delightful characters like Henry, who became her mentor.
He is obviously very bright and totally devoted to the study of wine
to the exclusion of almost anything else in his life.
If you’re
fascinated by the wine culture where people actually drink $200
bottles of wine and compare the taste, I recommend this book. It’s
easy to read and gives a full course in the intricacies of wine.
I received this book
from Penguin Group for this review.
No comments:
Post a Comment