Applause! This book is like great vintages, always improving
Rating:
5 / 5
I have several editions of Mr. Zraly's Complete Wine Course. I find myself looking forward to each years edition, waiting to see his take on current vintages and always wine "tid-bits" that make wine loving so enticing. I have a restaurant in S.C., which the current edition is always on the table in our tasting room. I also find myself giving it as birthday and Christmas gifts. All my friends have it, whether they are wine fanantics or not. It is always a perfect coffee table book. Great beginner book or for any wine lover. Learning about wines is loving wines!
Heights Unmatched
Rating:
5 / 5
This book is named after the restaurant "Windows on the World" (WotW) which was near the top of the World Trade Center (NYC). Although I had been to the top of the WTC many times, I never made it to WotW. I wish I had. If this book is any indication (especially the 2003 edition with stories and pictures about the restaurant itself), it must have been a wonderful experience.For beginners, this book should be read after "Wine for Dummies" (WfD). I recommend WfD as the book to purchase if you only want one book. If you want two or more, which is very likely, the second one is this one, "Windows on the World Complete Wine Course" (WotWCWC). This book covers reds and whites, in depth, as well as a clearly diagrammed set of geography pictures and notes. The author takes out much of the snobbishness of others, presenting a great deal of information in an attractive manner. This is great for the library as well as a book that can be laid out on a table for casual reading by guests. There is a FAQ section towards the back that is very good. There are also some suggestions for starting your own collection and for those that want to make a restaurant wine list (which is also a must-read because some of it will apply to your own collection). This book is a must-have for a wine library. Your guests will also appreciate it.
Not just for beginners! A great read.
Rating:
5 / 5
My husband and I consider ourselves wine hobbyists - not really beginners - and we are getting a lot out of this book. Zraly packs a lot in, and it's all interesting stuff, from little known facts (did you know your nose can discern over 2,000 different smells?) to diagrams of the taste centers of your tongue, to discussions of the various wine regions in different countries, as well as the United States. What sold me on this book is the suggested wine buys for the well-stocked cellar (in the Appendix), where Zraly suggests wines you can easily find in various ranges: under [money] (everyday wines), [money] (once a week wines), [money] and up. Great suggestions from someone whose been in the business for years and loves it.
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