Washington Wines and Wineries: The Essential Guide During the thirty-five years wine critic and writer Paul Gregutt has lived in the state of Washington, its wine industry has ballooned from a mere half dozen wineries to nearly five hundred. Washington Wines and Wineries offers a comprehensive, critical, and accessible account of the nation’s second largest wine-producing region. Gregutt, who has covered Washington wine in books, newspapers, and magazines since the mid-1980s, enthusiastically dispenses information along with his editorial opinion, displaying the depth of his knowledge of the area, the players, the regions, and the wines. He points out the best vineyards, the most accomplished winemakers, the must-have wines, and the newcomers to watch. He rates wineries–not wines–with a unique and detailed 100-point scale, providing an insider’s view of the best that Washington state has to offer. As the global wine industry reinvents itself for twenty-first-century palates, Washington is poised to become as important and influential as California on the world stage. Washington Wines and Wineries is the definitive reference book on the subject.
Customer Review: Essential
I agree with the book’s bold subtitle. And not only is this survey essential, but it is engaging and entertaining — my standard for good writing is that I would enjoy reading it whether or not I’m interested in the subject, and Gregutt passes that test with aplomb.

Of particular value — and at the heart of the book — is Gregutt’s well researched and knowledgeable summary of each of wine grape grown in the region, with a listing of “best bottles” of each varietal. This section of the book by itself would make a handy stand-alone pocket publication.

Gregutt’s choice to limit his reviews to the top 20-25% of wineries, in terms of quality/style/value, regardless of size, leaves off the radar screen some fairly large wineries that might have broader national distribution (Hogue, for example), but out-of-region readers with favorable shipping laws would do well directly purchase wines from some of the smaller wineries that he suggests.
Customer Review: An exceptional book by an author who really understands Washington wine.
Paul Gregutt truly understands Washington wine, and it is very well demonstrated in his book (Washington Wines and Wineries). Paul does a terrific job covering the history of the Washington wine industry and many of the top vineyards. The most intriguing part of the book has to be the way Paul provides detailed information on the “Top 25%” of the states wineries. Since many of the top Washington wines are produced in limited quanity by very young wineries, this book provides a much needed resource to help navigate through the current releases. Whether you are a newcomer to Washington wine or a connoisseur, this book is a must read.

Bread & Water, Wine & Oil: An Orthodox Christian Experience of God Worry, despair, insecurity, fear of death . . . these are our daily companions, and even though we attempt to ignore them or try to crowd them out, they are there, waiting for us in our quieter moments. It is precisely where we hurt most that the experience of the Orthodox Church has much to offer. The remedy is not a pep talk, or any simple admonitions to fight the good fight, cheer up, or think positively. Rather, the Orthodox method is to change the way we look at the human person (starting with ourselves). According to two thousand years of experience, Orthodoxy shows us how to be transformed by the renewing of our mind — a process that is aided by participation in the traditional ascetic practices and Mysteries of the Church. In this unique and accessible book, Archimandrite Meletios Webber first explores the role of mystery in the Christian life, then walks the reader through the seven major Mysteries of the Orthodox Church, showing the way to a richer, fuller life in Christ.
Customer Review: A Spiritual Gift
I highly recommend “Bread & Water, Wine & Oil.” Father Meletios states it best: “We (Orthodox Christians) identify ourselves most clearly by being quite sure who we are not.” True to his “who we are not” theme, Father Meletios explores every dimension of Orthodoxy and its Mysteries, and richly interprets the almost unexplainable. Anyone seeking Orthodoxy will find his engaging style, and clarity of thought about Orthodox teachings most illuminating and spiritually eloquent. Those already engaged in the Orthodox spiritual life will be refreshed with deeper understanding. His genuine and practical anecdotes connect an ancient Faith with modern life, ever so adeptly. Father Meletios’ writings are an immeasurable gift to his readers, and I am grateful for his monumental effort. This book is to be read carefully and savored. It is a treasure; certainly it will be an enduring one. Thank you, Father Mel, from one of the lucky ones who has grown under your spiritual guidance.
Customer Review: a book destined to become a classic
A key passage at the beginning of “Bread and Water, Wine and Oil” focuses on the on the Orthodox use of the word “mystery”:

“One of the most noticeable features of Eastern Christianity is that it is this word, `mystery,’ rather than the word `sacrament,’ which describes those actions of God which have a specific, decisive and eternal significance in the lives of those who take part in them. Everyday substances — oil, water, bread, wine — together with simple actions — offering, blessing, washing, anointing — become the means by which God intervenes in our lives. These interventions — in which God does all the work, and our only contribution is to be prepared and present — color and shape our lives beyond the extent that would be possible through any human encounter. However, unlike most human interactions, they do not take us from a place of ignorance to a place of knowledge. Rather, the Mysteries lead us deeper and deeper into the Mystery — the Mystery which is the presence of God Himself.”

Mystery, in the Orthodox sense, has nothing to do with mystery novels and films. The divine mystery has no solution. As the author writes:

“In the East, on the other hand, a mystery is an area where the human mind cannot go, and where the heart alone makes sense, not by `knowing,’ but by ;being.’ The Greek word mysterion leads you into a sense of `not-knowing’ or `not-understanding’ and leaves you there. All a person can do is gaze and wonder; there is nothing to solve.”

Father Meletios’s book is a profoundly challenging book about the journey from the mind (always struggling to explain, solve and de-mystify, yet always seething with emotions and passions) to the depths of the heart, the center of being rather than of knowing.

“Bread and Water, Wine and Oil” seems likely to become a Christian classic, the sort of book the reader returns to again and again and keeps recommending to friends.

The Wines of France: The Essential Guide for Savvy Shoppers An unintimidating guide to France¹s best and best-value wines, hot new winemakers, and up-and-coming wine regions, from one of the world¹s premiere authorities on the subject.

Comprehensive yet accessible listings of the top producers within each of France¹s 10 wine regions, including star ratings, price ranges, vintage information, producer contact details, and crib sheets, plus a glossary, index, and one-page crash course on ordering wine in French. Compact size makes this book your ideal personal shopper, whether browsing wine shops, perusing restaurant wine lists, or traveling the wine routes of France.

Friedrich¹s “A Wine and Food Guide to the Loire” won Veuve Clicquot, James Beard, and Julia Child awards.
Customer Review: Wines of France: Guide for Savvy Shoppers
Since I love French wines it’s great to have a source that reviews the wines I have bought and want to buy. It also makes it easier to take information to my favorite wine store to show them what I want.
Customer Review: The guide-hater’s guide to wine
Normally I don’t even pay attention to the wine guide genre–they’re outdated almost immediately and are characterized by “points” which are almost always awarded in the highest quantity to the usual suspects. Luckily I happened to open a copy of this one, probably because the author’s book on Loire Valley wines is so invaluable. This is the guide I’ve always wanted. The focus is on winemakers, not vintages, and Ms. Friedrich has definite tastes and preferences which (importantly) coincide with mine. She happens to know a lot more than I do, however, and has a knack for ferreting out the unusual and succinctly characterizing a winemaker and his wines in a few pithy sentences. Her emphasis on terroir-driven and naturally made wines has major appeal for me. Many of these wines, while not household names, are available in the U.S. (alas, not all) so you don’t have to be planning a trip to France to benefit from this book.

Windows on the World Complete Wine Course: 2007 Edition (Windows on the World Complete Wine Course)

Customer Review: Great book
I thought this book was very educational and kept me interested enough that I didn’t feel like I was reading a textbook. I truly felt like after reading this book, I could hold a conversation about wines and know enough to not feel ridiculous. The book covers every notable region of the world, except maybe Arkansas and Canada.

My only complaint is there should be less treatment of expensive French wines that Joe Sikspak cannot find nor likely afford. He is likely going to be hitting the Beringer and Mondavi a lot harder than the Chateau Leoville Las Cases.
Customer Review: Wasn’t what I had hoped for
Book did an okay job of describing wines and talked about a few different varietals from a few different regions but I was left feeling as though this book was much less than complete.

The Wine Maker’s Answer Book (Answer Book (Storey)) Home winemaking is an appealing hobby for a new generation of wine lovers lured by the promise of a great payoff — small batches of handmade wine. It’s the perfect opportunity to experiment with flavors, have fun playing with chemistry, and share a few tasty bottles with friends and family. But safely fermenting, bottling, and aging wine is a demanding process requiring special equipment, impeccable sanitation, an understanding of chemical reactions, and the patience to see the aging process through to the end. No matter how experienced the home winemaker, unforeseen questions develop with every batch of new wine.

When a winemaker has problems with leaky corks or finds an oily film on top of his fermenting wine, what’s the simplest, quickest way to get an answer? The Wine Maker’s Answer Book is a 24/7 helpline with advice on hundreds of winemaking dilemmas. From the basic curiosity of the novice (What equipment will I need to get started?) to the finer points of fermentation (What is the impact of malolactic fermentation on acidity?), every step of the process is covered in detail.

Author Alison Crowe uses a friendly question-and-answer format to explain the mysteries of turning grape juice into wine, whether the reader is beginning with fresh grapes or a home winemaking kit. To the straightforward requests for information, she offers detailed descriptions of procedures and equipment. For stickier real-life problems, she first carefully assesses the possible causes and then gives expert advice on fixing the trouble.

Covering the entire range of situations a winemaker is likely to face, this handy, at-a-glance reference will make every batch of wine taste better.
Customer Review: Nice QA book
This is a nice book that will answer questions for those interested in home winemaking as well small scale wineries.
Customer Review: In your face gobs of jammy knowledge
This book has the answers!

And not only that, it gives the answers in a concise, readable, erudite format that speaks to all levels of expertise. Professional vintners will benefit from having such a broad compendium of the science of wine, and neophyte oenophiles will rejoice in the practical and esoteric aspects of making and appreciating wine. Ms. Crowe is the calm voice of reason when discussing the excesses and intricacies of wine, and waxes lyrical about the culture and joy that can be found in the alchemy used to turn grape to ambrosia.

Wine and Philosophy: A Symposium on Thinking and Drinking Wine & Philosophy offers a collection of essays which explore a range of philosophical topics related to food; it joins Food & Philosophy and Beer & Philosophy in in the “Epicurean Trilogy.” Essays are organized thematically and written by philosophers, wine writers, and winemakers.

• Chapters include, “The Art & Culture of Wine”; “Tasting & Talking about Wine”; “Wine & Its Critics”; “The Beauty of Wine”; “The Metaphysics of Wine”; and “The Politics & Economics of Wine”
• Essays are accessible to a general audience while at the same time covering some serious philosophical ground
• Incorporates traditional areas of philosophical study, including philosophy of language, philosophy of perception, aesthetics, metaphysics, ethics and political philosophy
• A great complimentary text to any guided-tour visit to the Napa Valley or other wineries

Customer Review: Excellent!
This book provides an excellent overview of the enjoyment and the evaluation of wine, as well as discussion of the philosophical issues surrounding these areas. It combines experts from philosophy, wine tasting and the wine industry. Not only are the essays informative and thought-provoking, but moreover they are enjoyable to read! A great volume!

Bordeaux: A Consumer’s Guide to the World’s Finest Wines

First published in 1985, this landmark consumer guide launched one of the most illustrious careers in wine criticism. Robert Parker’s mission, in his newsletter The Wine Advocate and his many bestselling books, has always been to give wine drinkers honest, informed advice about which wines are worth their money, and which wines aren’t.

The fourth edition of Bordeaux presents a complete guide to vintages between 1961 and 2001. This latest volume brings readers up-to-date on the abundance of new producers in France’s most important wine region and for the first time includes more than 700 wine labels. Parker has retasted and reevaluated many of Bordeaux’s finest wines — and adjusted their ratings accordingly — so readers of his previous editions will discover herein a wealth of new material.

Parker begins with an overview of each year, which includes insight into growing conditions and yields, notes on anticipated maturity, general price ranges, and lists of best wines. The heart of the book is the chapter “Evaluating the Wines of Bordeaux,” in which he meticulously reviews wine producers of every appellation. Organized geographically, the chateaux are listed in alphabetical order, and entries include contact information, vineyard size, details about the wine-making style, and a general evaluation of the chateau’s wines. Best of all, each entry includes extensive tasting notes on important vintages, all of them featuring Parker’s celebrated rating system — in which every wine is assessed on a scale ranging from 50 to 100. In later chapters, he also offers essential information about the elements of a great Bordeaux wine, practical travel information about the region, a glossary of wine terms, and more.

An invaluable guide for consumers, Robert M. Parker, Jr.’s Bordeaux provides all the information amateurs and connoisseurs alike could possibly need in their search for that perfect bottle.

Customer Review: Bordeaux Bible
Anyone that enjoys good bordeaux need this book.
Excellent reference book.
A must have for bidders, wine collectors and wine buyers.
Extensive information of the best and not so good vintages and chateau’s wines.
Love french wine from bordeaux you will love the book.
User friendly
Easy to read and search.
Excellent historical record of chateau’s evolution.
Customer Review: Indispensable Guide
Recently I toured wineries in Bordeaux. Robert Parker’s book is the indispensable guide to wineries in that region. He discusses each estate in detail and is quite frank in his reviews. He also recommended some hotels and restaurants, which proved to be excellent recommendations.

Wine Dogs USA Edition WINE DOGS IS ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING WINE BOOKS EVER PUBLISHED - David Lett: the father of Oregon wine

Wherever wine is made, you’re likely to find a good dog stalking the cellar or the vineyard. The USA Edition of Wine Dogs features over 300 wineries across the United States and over 450 stunning photos of their loyal hounds. Along the way, the mutts and purebreds are interspersed with short essays by Robert Parker Jr, Dan Berger, Bruce Cass, Ralph Steadman, Cole Danehower and many more.

Find out which dog ate a couch, who chewed Bill Clinton’s leg and discover the identity of the dog who stole Robert Mondavi’s heart.

Wine Dogs USA Edition is a photographic journal of stunning pictures and great stories - created all for the love of dogs and wine.

www.winedogs.com
Customer Review: Dazzling Dogs
This book is a treasure and great gift for any dog lover. Pictures are beautiful and descriptions are humorous.
Customer Review: Great gift for dog-lovers!
This was a Christmas gift for a dog-loving friend who also loves wine. She loved all the great photos in the book! I was initially dissapointed at the size of the book (did not look closely enough at the description and thought it would be a full-sized coffee-table book), but in the end that really didn’t matter. Would highly recommend it!

The World’s Greatest Wine Estates: A Modern Perspective Over the past twenty-five years, renowned critic Robert M. Parker, Jr., has visited both legendary and fledgling wineries all over the world and has tasted hundreds of thousands of wines. Only a fraction of those wines have earned his highest ratings and are considered by him to be truly legendary. In his latest book, Parker brings together what he calls “the best of the best,” taking readers on a personal tour of the wineries that have impressed him most with their dedication to quality, consistency, and excellence.

The World’s Greatest Wine Estates pays homage to exceptional wines and the exceptional people who make them. These lavishly illustrated pages showcase 175 of the world’s most accomplished — and most spectacular — estates. Parker goes be-yond the labels, bottles, and ratings to present the land, the history, and the dedicated artisans practicing their craft. Though they form a wildly diverse group, all of these producers “share an inexhaustible commitment to their vineyards, a passion to produce as fine a wine as is humanly possible, and a vision that the joys of wine are infinite and represent the pinnacle of a civilized society.”

Parker begins with an overview of what makes a wine great — the ability to please both the palate and the intellect, to offer intense aromas and flavors without heaviness, to improve with age, to reflect its place of origin as well as the skill of its producers — and explains how he came to choose the profound wines he features here. He also offers insider tips for ordinary wine-lovers who want to get their hands on extraordinary bottles.

The heart of the book contains profiles of the greatest estates of Argentina, Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the United States. Each region is illustrated with a full-color map and accompanied by an introduction explaining the general wine history of the country. In his profiles of individual estates, Parker offers essential geographical information such as grape varietals, average age of the vines, and density of plantation; details about the estate’s history and techniques and the wines it produces; visiting information for those who want to see the process up close; and tasting notes on the best recent vintages from each winery. Each profile also includes photographs of the vineyards and the people behind the wines, and labels from their best-known vintages.

Complete with a list of up-and-coming wineries (”Future Stars”) and a glossary of wine terms, The World’s Greatest Wine Estates is a very special reference for amateurs and connoisseurs alike.

Customer Review: Great gift
My husband loves to research wine - this book was a highlight of Christmas! Thick book - well-researched.
Customer Review: Good for beginners too
There’s much in this book that would fly over the head of a novice, but for someone interested in getting to know Bordeaux - really get to know Bordeaux - this is a great introduction (if you want to spend the money). Color photos demonstrate the beauty of the chateaux, and there is a wealth of information here. What vintages were considered good at what estate and why - that’s one of the most important things a novitiate can learn, and one of the most difficult to pick up on the fly. Here it all is for everyone…even the seasoned pros.

The Geography of Wine: How Landscapes, Cultures, Terroir, and the Weather Make a Good Drop