Contains info. on both the established & up-&-coming bodegas in Spain, as well as their recent vintages. Listed alphabetically by region, each wine is described in detail, & includes vintage info. & the names of the most reliable producers. Each chapter contains a map & an intro. to the region, & concludes with a list of regional food specialties & recommended wines to drink with them. Also included is info. on the anatomy of Spanish wines; details on Spanish wine laws & labels; a glossary of Spanish wine terms; chapters on sherries, sparkling wines, spirits, aromatic wines & liqueurs; & tips for the traveler in Spain.

Everything you need to know about buying, ordering, and serving wine! Unlock the secrets of wine with The New Wine Lover's Companion. This comprehensive and accessible book is designed for both seasoned oenophiles and newcomers to the world of wine, providing a wealth of knowledge and delightful discoveries for all. With vivid descriptions and insightful commentary of 4,000 wines produced all around the world, this guide showcases an extensive array, highlighting their unique flavors, characteristics, and aromas. From classic Bordeaux to vibrant New World varietals, every wine region is beautifully unveiled, offering an unforgettable tasting experience in the comfort of your home. The A-to-Z entries describe grape varieties; wine styles; wine growing regions; wine making techniques; wine-tasting terms; sizes and styles of glassware, wine bottles and wine openers; optimal temperatures for serving different wines; and much more. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply relaxing after a long day, this guide is your go-to companion for impeccable wine pairing suggestions. Impress your guests and elevate your culinary adventures by matching each dish with the perfect wine to elevate its flavors. Indulge in the timeless joy of wine tasting and become an enlightened connoisseur of the world's most celebrated beverage. Additional advice and information includes: Tips on buying wine Ordering wine in a restaurant Understanding the information on wine bottle labels Opening and serving wine at home How to store leftover wine...and much more Here is everything worth knowing about buying, storing, serving, and enjoying wine! Includes extensive appendices, charts, a glossary, and a bibliography.

Appealing to the amateur wine lover as well as the aspiring professional taster, "The Simon & Schuster Beginner's Guide to Understanding Wine" is written to be eminently readable. Michael Schuster's expertise is combined with a well-developed sense of humor, which allows him to avoid -- and have fun with -- the snobbery and occasional absurdity of tasting and understanding wine. This beautiful and accessible guide progresses in three sections. The first explores the techniques of wine tasting -- from knowing what to look for to describing and recording a judgment. Readers are encouraged to experiment and develop their own tasting methods. The second section discusses the major grapes and their wines. The author explains how to discern between wines considered to be "classic" and those that are not, what to expect from the different grapes and their blends, and the different wine-producing areas. He suggests specific wines to taste for comparison and as examples of style and quality. He tops off this section with a chapter covering fortified wines, Cognac, Armagnac, and malt whisky. The final section of the book is devoted to the practicalities of wine and wine drinking: handling, serving and decanting, storage, and record-keeping. An extensive, original index provides an at-a-glance identification chart of the grapes used in all the major wine names. "The Simon & Schuster Beginner's Guide to Understanding Wine" is a friendly, lavishly illustrated introduction to the fundamentals of wine appreciation.