This Calls for a Drink! A Sommelier's Guide to the Best Wines and Beers to Pair with Every Situation

by Diane McMartin

Any decent wine book or food magazine can tell you what to drink with a grassfed steak. But what's the best wine to pair with a blind date? Or to pour for your girlfriends when settling in to watch the Oscars? What goes with a lame class reunion? A job promotion? Your next Netflix binge?

THIS CALLS FOR A DRINK! is the inspired guide to matching wines and beers to the significant (and not-so-significant) events in life—not just what you're eating, but what you're feeling, and when. It's the beverage book for those situations that truly call for a drink—from dating quirky OKCupid guys to recovering after a rough day at work to squeezing into yet another bridesmaid dress. Diane McMartin, a trained sommelier who launched an occasion-based drinking column on The Hairpin after trying to soothe a brokenhearted roommate with cheap rosé, offers hundreds of unexpected recommendations for dating, work, holidays, weddings, music festivals, baby showers, and more. Stalking a new boyfriend on social media? (Get a grip with a fresh, minerally Chablis.) Turning 27? (Graduate to a decent American craft brew, like Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA.) Reconnecting with a high school flame? (This calls for something impressive, but not too on the nose. Want to look like a grown-up who's arrived? Try Barolo.)

The writing is fresh, hip, full of attitude, and as solidly informative as it is entertaining. In addition to the complete emotional landscape of wine and beer, there are guides on tasting, buying, and serving; profiles of grape varieties; and primers on topics like hops and wood-aging. Everything you need to know to drink like an adult, even if you don't always behave like one.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cookbooks

272 pages, Hardcover

First published June 14, 2016

Reviews

[Carlene]

ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the sort of book that would catch my eye in the store and end up on my coffee table to be used for years to come. I actually am going to buy this book when it comes out, because it's a great go-to guide for beer and wine. Like others said, I would love to see liquor cocktails (there are wine and beer cocktails) mixed in, but as the better half of a beer connoisseur, this is right up my alley. While I am constantly finding a way to get wine into our house, we have a revolving door of craft beers and knowing what to pair them with is fun. He even laughed out loud when I mentioned that Diane McMartin suggested Founder's for making a crib.

Written in an unassuming manner and filled to the brim with curse words, This Calls for a Drink! is the hilarious guide to wine and beer that you never knew you needed. My sorority sisters and I could have used this for just about every breakup and big moment we shared together. From new parenting to dating and families, This Calls for a Drink! gives you an idea of what to look for to drink during that occasions, offers three suggestions, and some even come with their own info-graphic with details on the whats of that particularly type of wine or beer. If I didn't have an advanced copy meant for review I would have long ago taken my Kindle with me to Bevmo to try some new drinks. It's witty and smart, without making you feel like you're the idiot who has no idea why people are swirling their wine glasses (hint, they're probably doing it wrong). While it's definitely not made as a sit down one-sitting read through, Diane McMartin writes a guide that is enjoyable to flip through and read, especially certain sections like "Just Us Girls" and "Your Big Birthday."

I really enjoyed the extra time given to wine, particularly the label explanations. While I love wine, and definitely know my favorites, it is hard to wrap your head around why different countries title things different than that bottle I always pick up in Napa. I wish beer had been given more of this attention, however the beer info is found in various sections as it's called for, like "what the heck is an Amber Ale." I loved the effort given to explaining the two to three types Diane suggested, because as she shares in the introduction, not every locale will carry the wine/beer she would choose. However, using the name and details of what you will taste you might just find another option you like as well. The situations are funny (like Drinking and Dieting), even that of the broken heart because he's an asshole, because paired with alcohol just about everything is funny!

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun gift or truly wants to know more about beer and wine. The situations are real, the writing is hilarious, and if you're anything like me, the drinks are needed and all suggestions are well received.

[Amanda]

I knew from the get-go that I was going to enjoy this book, simply because how can you not love a book about wine?! Diane McMartin really outdid herself with this one though. It is both funny and extremely informative. I was incredibly impressed with the amazing wine guide at the beginning of the book.

Diane teaches you what different varieties of wine are and explains the difference between Italian wine and Spanish wine. She even differentiates between the various regions of France and how to read a French wine label so the average consumer can actually know what to expect from a bottle, since French wine labels are based off of the region of production, not the grape varietals.

After teaching you the basics of beer and wine, it’s time for the fun stuff! Diane splits the book into chapters that each deal with a different type of situation in which you may reach for an adult beverage. These larger situations are then broken down into specific scenarios for which Diane has at least one beer or wine recommendation. Not only does she recommend the drink, but again you get the explanation of what to expect from that drink and why it fits so well with that scenario. Some of them are humorous descriptions, like the sections on internet dating and hookups with random strangers, and others are too real, like the various break-up scenarios she presents in another chapter.

This is the perfect book to give as a 21st birthday gift or to a girlfriend or sister. It’s something that people will reach for again and again and allows you to come out smarter and with a better buzz!

*Disclaimer* I received this book from NetGalley for this review.

[Erin L]

A really fun book. I was a little surprised to learn something about wine - particularly European wines which I don't drink a lot of, but now I understand their labeling better so I'm going to have to explore those more.

Could've used more recommendations from countries other than Europe and the US, but there are limits.

[Rachel]

I found this to be fun and informative. Taking off a point for some eye-roll inducing stereotypes.

[Lili]

I received this book as an advance reader's copy from NetGalley.

Two of my favorite cooking and wine books are Culinarytherapy: The Girl's Guide to Food for Every Mood by Beverly West and Wine for Women: A Guide to Buying, Pairing, and Sharing Wine by Leslie Sbrocco. I love the concept of Culinarytherapy, and the lightness of the tone in which it was written. And also love the concept of Wine for Women, and the wealth of information that it made easily accessible. I was devastated when I found out that it went out of print and I could no longer give it as a gift. Therefore, I was thrilled to see This Calls for a Drink! A Sommelier's Guide to the Best Wines and Beers to Pair with Every Situation by Diane McMartin blend the two concepts into one book. This book was so readable that I almost literally devoured it – reading for two hours at night, then waking up at 630am the next morning to finish it in about two hours. The Basics section covered just the right amount of information about tasting, buying, serving and storing wine and beer to be useful without being overwhelming. I really appreciated the “Know Your Styles” and “Know Your Grapes” call out boxes sprinkled into the text with all the “geeky” information about the wine and beer varieties recommended. The selection of occasions to drink was absolutely comprehensive, and pretty hilarious. The wine and beer cocktail recipes were clearly written and easy to follow (not that I tried them as I was binge reading). I adored the section pairing bad junk food with wine and beer during inclement weather. I also enjoyed the section about pairing wine and beer with “important novels.” (If only I had read this book before I tried to tackle To Kill a Mockingbird, I might have enjoyed it more!) The wine recommendations seem to be heavily European, with some from the United States, very few from South America, and three from Australia and New Zealand. It’s hard to tell whether that is reflective of the overall state of the wine trade, or of the author’s preferences and experience. The only real drawback to this book is its very casual use of profanity throughout, which will make it an inappropriate gift for some of my 40-something friends who don’t make it a habit of talking that way. My 30-something friends, who are more likely the target market for this book, will probably find it funny, if they even notice it at all. I’m definitely looking forward to this book being released in print as it will be my go-to birthday and Christmas present this year.

[Kyle Robertson]

I really enjoyed this book. It isn't simply a bout pairing wine and beer with different foods; rather it is about pairing wine and beer with different situations and feelings that practically everyone can relate to. The author, Diane McMartin, is very funny and witty, and she speaks her mind honestly on the subjects presented. She can come across as being crude and abrasive, but overall she is not derogatory or offensive. The author is obviously knowledgeable on the subject, and she has a way of putting "fancy" terms and phrases into simpler words that anyone can understand.

The first part of the book, called "The Basics", can be very helpful to beginners and novices alike. It helps you navigate tasting and buying wine and beer, and provides a quick, yet comprehensive, primer on reading wine labels from different regions and varieties. There is also a great section about glassware, containers, and tools of the trade. Another interesting section deals with the cultural taboo of screwcaps vs. corks.

The rest of the book goes into detail regarding pairing wine and beer with various life situations, emotions, and achievements. Some examples include having kids, dating, heartbreak, girl's nights, getting older, holidays, entertainment, weddings, and work. Throughout the book there are different informative sections to help increase your knowledge of wine and beer, including fun recipes to try at home, wine through the decades, boxed wine, yeast and hops, shandies, hangovers, aging, vintage, drinking and dieting, and drinking and dining. There are also humorous illustrations that fit the context in the book. The "Know Your Grapes" sections profile different grapes by region, flavors, perfect pairings, and examples to try. Likewise, the "Know Your Styles" sections profile different styles of beer and wine. At the end of the book there is a very helpful glossary of terms used in the beer and wine world, and a list of online resources you might find helpful.

Overall this book is hilarious and fun to read, but still very informative and serious about teaching you all you need to know about pairing wine and beer with different situations and emotions. I would recommend this book to all beer and wine enthusiasts, although the book deals more with wine than beer. There are better books on the market that are dedicated to the world of beer specifically if that is what you are looking for. I received this as a free ARC from Workman Publishing Company on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Mel]

If you want to learn about wine and beer in the most informal, non-intimidating way, this book is for you. It's hilariously written while still being incredibly informative. I seriously found myself laughing out loud.

First of all, I love how honest Diane McMartin is, she lets the reader know that expensive wine glasses aren't necessary, and a lot of stuff in the wine world is "overrated" and unnecessary. I found the beginning of the book very informative, especially when McMartin spoke about different glasses for different beverages. She also teaches you how to read complicated wine labels (very helpful!).

Secondly, this book is laugh out loud funny. McMartin takes real life experiences every person goes through (good and bad) and finds a suitable wine or beer to get you through that particular life experience. She is witty, down to earth and honest. She doesn't tell you to buy the most expensive bottle on the shelf, or the cheapest, but she does give you options, and perfectly paired choices for each occasion. Every few pages a popular type of wine or beer is showcased and outlined in more detail to give the reader a bit more information and appreciation.

I want to buy this book for all the wine lovers I know. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a gift for the wine-o in their life. And I also recommend it for anyone who just wants a light-hearted read about wine. It's a fun book, while still teaching you all you need to know about the wine and beer.

[Jessi]

This book has the wry and subtle humor that I was hoping for in Should I Scoop Out my Bagel?. I wish I had paid attention to the fact that this was a wine and beer book. I was really hoping for some good cocktail suggestions. But Diane McMartin writes with a sense of humor and a good idea of how her book might be used. I definitely think that dipping into it for particular instances or to read aloud with friends would be a blast. Reading it through all at once is a bit daunting and gets a bit repetitive. I also wish that in her "life celebrations" section, there hadn't been a gap in between 30 and 65. Each one was only a paragraph anyway, why not throw in turning 40 or 50 or even realizing your at the onset of menopause?
Overall, there is some great information in this book and I would definitely recommend it as a gift to someone who is either wanting to learn more about beer/wine or has a major life occasion happening soon.

[Megan]

I am mildly obsessed with this book. Perfect for anyone interested in learning more about wine and beer, or someone who has been stuck in a "taste rut" wanting to explore new flavors and regions

This book covers wine and beer basics, covering different major regions and the varietals they typically produce. They also cover drink ware and serving etiquette before diving into specific wine and beers to pair with different situations or moods. I love the idea of a "Meet the parents" wine and a "first date" ale! Many of these different wines and beers I hadn't heard of before, but since reading this book I've tried several of the recommended wines and been pleasant surprises each time. I read this book back in January, yet still keep coming back to it to refer to another wine or beer to try. A must-have for any foodie!

Special thanks to NetGalley for an advanced e-galley in exchange for an honest review! What a treat to read this book!

[Eileen Hall]

A light hearted manual on how to manage your life through different drinks, matching the situations you find yourself in!
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Workman via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.

[Brindi Michele]

I liked this. She had me laughing and in dire need of more wine!