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A Toast to Bargain Wines: How Innovators, Iconoclasts, and Winemaking Revolutionaries Are Changing the Way the World Drinks
THE ACCLAIMED AUTHOR OF JUDGMENT OF PARIS EXPLORES THE THRIVING BUSINESS OF BARGAIN WINES AND OFFERS HIS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BEST VALUES.
Is inexpensive wine any good? Award-winning author George M. Taber shows that it is, examining the paths to success of the world’s best-selling bargain brands. Taber helps readers learn to trust their taste and make informed decisions when confronting wine lists, and reveals how innovators are turning the old vin ordinaire into something extraordinaire .
A Toast to Bargain Wines is an accessible mix of history, business, and reference, and includes a two-part guide to the world’s best buys: George’s ten favorite bargains of every varietal (plus two splurges in each category), then ten value brands from twelve regions around the world. Casual wine drinkers and connoisseurs alike will benefit from this insider’s guide to finding and enjoying good wine—at a great price.
Is inexpensive wine any good? Award-winning author George M. Taber shows that it is, examining the paths to success of the world’s best-selling bargain brands. Taber helps readers learn to trust their taste and make informed decisions when confronting wine lists, and reveals how innovators are turning the old vin ordinaire into something extraordinaire .
A Toast to Bargain Wines is an accessible mix of history, business, and reference, and includes a two-part guide to the world’s best buys: George’s ten favorite bargains of every varietal (plus two splurges in each category), then ten value brands from twelve regions around the world. Casual wine drinkers and connoisseurs alike will benefit from this insider’s guide to finding and enjoying good wine—at a great price.
- GenresWineNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 27, 2018
An easy read, and - in my opinion - an important read for those in the wine industry as it provides a fair amount of perspective on a portion of the industry that is relatively hidden. George highlights the success of the wines "no one talks about:" the inexpensive, the simple, the sweet, the bulk. How has their existence shaped the industry? Furthermore, a lot of his stories recollect some truth behind many winemaking legends.
For those not in the wine industry, the more valuable piece of this book (other than the entertaining stories!) is really the back of the book where he reveals his top, inexpensive wines by variety. I will say the book is a bit dated, and some of the wines have changed in the past 7 or so years since publication. Nonetheless, it's a great starting point for those that want to spend less on wine while enjoying wine more regularly.
Either way, this is an extremely easy read. I thought it was well done. I recommend it.
For those not in the wine industry, the more valuable piece of this book (other than the entertaining stories!) is really the back of the book where he reveals his top, inexpensive wines by variety. I will say the book is a bit dated, and some of the wines have changed in the past 7 or so years since publication. Nonetheless, it's a great starting point for those that want to spend less on wine while enjoying wine more regularly.
Either way, this is an extremely easy read. I thought it was well done. I recommend it.
June 21, 2018
The information about Big Wine makers was revealing and interesting. One maker, dozens of labels.
February 24, 2012
George Taber knows wine. He was at the famous France / California blind tasting in Paris in 76 (?) that put our wines on the map. Rather, his article in TIME about the tasting did it. And I don't disagree with his premise that we live in a golden age of wine as consumers. There are more good wines being made right now, in more regions, and at good prices, than ever before.
That said, I do not really think that a lot of the comparisons really hold up. I'm drinking a wine right now that he recommended: A Rhone blend I found on sale for $10. At $10 it's ok. If I had bought it at full price at $15, I'd have been disappointed. This is just one example of course, and I will try others he has written about in the book.
More than half of the book is made up of essays on the current state of wine, the silliness of wine competitions, box wine makers, the emergence of China as a wine-buying and wine-making nation, profiles on the people behind Charles Shaw and Yellow Tail, and so on.
This is followed by lists of bargain wines that Taber says are remarkable buys for the quality, many of which are very common supermarket wines.
My own tastes in wine though have gotten significantly more expensive, and I am certain I am buying better wine. If it's worth it, well, that's a personal judgment. But as he says, you will never know unless you taste them blind. That is, lining up some expensive bottles against some cheaper ones, hiding the labels, and then tasting them.
After reading a lot about some of the best wines in the world though - and some of the most expensive - it was definitely a good idea to read some positive things about some of the cheapest as well.
That said, I do not really think that a lot of the comparisons really hold up. I'm drinking a wine right now that he recommended: A Rhone blend I found on sale for $10. At $10 it's ok. If I had bought it at full price at $15, I'd have been disappointed. This is just one example of course, and I will try others he has written about in the book.
More than half of the book is made up of essays on the current state of wine, the silliness of wine competitions, box wine makers, the emergence of China as a wine-buying and wine-making nation, profiles on the people behind Charles Shaw and Yellow Tail, and so on.
This is followed by lists of bargain wines that Taber says are remarkable buys for the quality, many of which are very common supermarket wines.
My own tastes in wine though have gotten significantly more expensive, and I am certain I am buying better wine. If it's worth it, well, that's a personal judgment. But as he says, you will never know unless you taste them blind. That is, lining up some expensive bottles against some cheaper ones, hiding the labels, and then tasting them.
After reading a lot about some of the best wines in the world though - and some of the most expensive - it was definitely a good idea to read some positive things about some of the cheapest as well.
July 22, 2016
George Taber knows wine. He was at the famous France / California blind tasting in Paris in 76 (?) that put our wines on the map. Rather, his article in TIME about the tasting did it. And I don't disagree with his premise that we live in a golden age of wine as consumers. There are more good wines being made right now, in more regions, and at good prices, than ever before.
That said, I do not really think that a lot of the comparisons really hold up. I'm drinking a wine right now that he recommended: A Rhone blend I found on sale for $10. At $10 it's ok. If I had bought it at full price at $15, I'd have been disappointed. This is just one example of course, and I will try others he has written about in the book.
More than half of the book is made up of essays on the current state of wine, the silliness of wine competitions, box wine makers, the emergence of China as a wine-buying and wine-making nation, profiles on the people behind Charles Shaw and Yellow Tail, and so on.
This is followed by lists of bargain wines that Taber says are remarkable buys for the quality, many of which are very common supermarket wines.
My own tastes in wine though have gotten significantly more expensive, and I am certain I am buying better wine. If it's worth it, well, that's a personal judgment. But as he says, you will never know unless you taste them blind. That is, lining up some expensive bottles against some cheaper ones, hiding the labels, and then tasting them.
After reading a lot about some of the best wines in the world though - and some of the most expensive - it was definitely a good idea to read some positive things about some of the cheapest as well.
That said, I do not really think that a lot of the comparisons really hold up. I'm drinking a wine right now that he recommended: A Rhone blend I found on sale for $10. At $10 it's ok. If I had bought it at full price at $15, I'd have been disappointed. This is just one example of course, and I will try others he has written about in the book.
More than half of the book is made up of essays on the current state of wine, the silliness of wine competitions, box wine makers, the emergence of China as a wine-buying and wine-making nation, profiles on the people behind Charles Shaw and Yellow Tail, and so on.
This is followed by lists of bargain wines that Taber says are remarkable buys for the quality, many of which are very common supermarket wines.
My own tastes in wine though have gotten significantly more expensive, and I am certain I am buying better wine. If it's worth it, well, that's a personal judgment. But as he says, you will never know unless you taste them blind. That is, lining up some expensive bottles against some cheaper ones, hiding the labels, and then tasting them.
After reading a lot about some of the best wines in the world though - and some of the most expensive - it was definitely a good idea to read some positive things about some of the cheapest as well.
January 24, 2014
I picked this book up for a few bucks at TJ Max of all places (oddly enough they sometimes have some interesting books there and great prices). I bought this book, not because of the cheap wine recommendations in the back but specifically for the first half of the book which deals with a number of different aspects of the wine industry. Though author George Taber is very well known in the industry this is the first book of his I have read and I must say he is an excellent writer. He packed so much information into this book, all very interesting, helpful and at times eye opening. And as this book came out not too long ago the info is pretty current which was another aspect that I really liked in reading this book. After reading this book by Taber I would very much be interested in reading any of his other works on wine.
November 18, 2012
This book is great recommended reading for anyone in the wine trade directly or indirectly, wine media, or anyone wishing to enter either.
I think the book may also appeal to especially beginner and budding wine enthusiasts who are just getting their feet wet in the world of wine options.
If you already know how wine is made in scale, know about all the main wine growing regions, and know how to buy the best sub $10 wine possible, this book will be more of a reflection back to you of what you already know.
For people in the wine business, it captures a very important perspective that you need to be tuned into.
I think the book may also appeal to especially beginner and budding wine enthusiasts who are just getting their feet wet in the world of wine options.
If you already know how wine is made in scale, know about all the main wine growing regions, and know how to buy the best sub $10 wine possible, this book will be more of a reflection back to you of what you already know.
For people in the wine business, it captures a very important perspective that you need to be tuned into.
September 18, 2012
I found the series of essays to be an intriguing example of all that I don't know about the wine industry. I wish it had been more thorough rather than just a sampling but I suppose that would have required more than 158 pages of writing.
My takeaways are the Hanni Sensitivity Assessment and an inspiration to go try a few bargain wines (gotta make that 130 page wine list worth while) , already a fan of the value of blackbox, and I look forward to finding a few regulars.
My takeaways are the Hanni Sensitivity Assessment and an inspiration to go try a few bargain wines (gotta make that 130 page wine list worth while) , already a fan of the value of blackbox, and I look forward to finding a few regulars.
May 4, 2012
The essays were well-written and really interesting. I was a bit dubious of some of the recommendations. I am an exclusive bargain wine drinker and woefully uneducated, but I have developed a few preferences. The last times I've had Barefoot or Cavit were not enjoyable, so no thanks, but maybe I'd give Yellow Tail and Three Buck Chuck another shot based on this book.
May 8, 2013
Taber discusses the recent changes in the wine world focusing on the rise of quality wines at affordable prices. Movers and shakers profiled include food and wine taster Tim Hanni, blogger Gary Vaynerchuk, and [yellow tail] founder John Casella. Of particular interest is Taber's two-part guide to bargain wine brands by grape varietal and country of origin.
December 20, 2011
I read this on my Kindle as I was returning from Savannah. Very much a history of wines, worldwide. The last third is comprised of lists and comments on wines ten dollars and under. Well-written and an easy read. Glad I had it on my Kindle -- marked lots of passages!
January 8, 2013
well written, enjoyable, useful
September 1, 2013
Great read on the history of bargain wine companies and their owners. My only wish is that there was more discussion on how they can produce their wines so cheaply.
March 3, 2016
Disjointed and dull.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews