Secrets from the Wine Diva: Tips on Buying, Ordering & Enjoying Wine

by Christine Ansbacher

Wine expert Christine Ansbacher has some enviable clients: they include  both corporate icons such as American Express, as well as cultural giants like The New York Philharmonic. Why? Because she’s fun and passionate about wine…and eager to share extensive knowledge so that ordinary wine drinkers (not just elite oenophiles) can get more pleasure from their glass. Here she reveals her smart secrets that everyone who loves wine ought to know—including how to make a $10 Cabernet taste like a $30 bottle; how to determine a fair price for a bottle of wine at a restaurant; and how to avoid the dreaded “red wine headache.” She also answers some common questions, including “What wine do you recommend with Chinese food?” Buying wine, storing wine, going on a “wine vacation”, reading the label, ordering in restaurants: all that, and more, is covered in language as sparkling as fine champagne. This Diva is a delight!

Genres: Wine

216 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 2006

Reviews

[Rachael Mcmillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author quickly initiates the reader into the world of wine snobbery by implicitly stating that a cheap bottle of wine starts at $10. If you can adjust your mindset accordingly you will likely enjoy the rest of this book. By no means an exhaustive resource, it is a great introduction to the world of enjoying fine wine. Especially helpful is the section (very close to the beginning) about pairing wine with food. In my own brief experimentation I have found that doing this properly makes a tremendous difference; the meal and the drink become much more enjoyable. The author repeats herself a lot, which is helpful if you treat the book as a reference and flip through sections rather than reading it from start to finish. It does come across, however, as if at times she has run out of fresh material. Over the course of the book it seems as if sixteen pages are dedicated to her restating the fact that she knows how to saber open a bottle of champagne (we get it!). Having said that, she writes with the grounded, judgement-free wisdom of Dear Abby and accomplishes her goal of making her reader feel comfortable delving into an exciting, if intimidating, hobby.

[CEGatling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love wine. I just don't know that much about it. So far this book has been a fun read and also left me with some great tips on buying and storing. I'm looking forward to learning more. Not to become a sommelier but maybe to just be able to buy a nice bottle for dinner with friends without stressing myself!

[frumpburger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a horrific title, corny cover, and some "tips" that I'm not that thrilled by, and really only deserves 2.5 stars, BUT it gave the names of some varietals I haven't tried and some tips for pairing wine w/ foods and improving the taste of wines, so that was nice. But I wouldn't buy it. Checking it out of the library was sufficient.

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really great book, especially for people just getting into wine as a hobby/interest. The author really demystifies wine, making it fun and engaging -- not intimidating or snooty. The wine has a lot of practical facts and tips, and I found it very helpful.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A skinny volume of wine knowledge who wants us all to enjoy wine without stress. Some of her memory devices were corny, and more in-depth than this casual learner wants to know. But tips on wine / food pairings and also general characteristics of certain grapes are helpful.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives great information that helps when wanting to try new wines.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fast and informative.This isn't an encyclopedia of wine, but it is knowledgeable enough that you walk away more wine savvy then before.