The Wall Street Journal Guide to Wine

by Dorothy J. Gaiter, John Brecher

Only hours after Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher's column appears each week in The Wall Street Journal, wine retailers from coast to coast are sold out of the couple's recommendations. Why? With a friendly style that is neither intimidating nor condescending, Dorothy and John provide straight talk for consumers who don't want to be taken for a ride, but do want to get maximum enjoyment from the abundance of good wines available today.

If you're like most people, when it comes to buying wine, you're lost. You walk into a wine shop and you're overwhelmed by the thousands of bottles staring back at you. So you probably pick up the same, safe Chardonnay or Merlot, afraid to take a chance on something different.

Dorothy and John know how you feel. They write their hugely popular "Tastings" column in the "Weekend Journal" for a frustrated people who can afford more and better wine, who want to know more about wine, but who don't know where to begin.

In The Wall Street Journal Guide to Wine , they share everything you need to know about buying, drinking, and enjoying wine, along with listings of 300 great wine values to get you started. They encourage you to start at the Buy two bottles of similar wines, put them in numbered brown-paper bags, and taste them. You will like one better than the other. And that is how your wine education begins.

The Wall Street Journal Guide to Wine features thirty different kinds of wine in all price ranges, from popular Chardonnays and Merlots to less familiar, but readily available, Gewürztraminers and Dolcettos. Can't find a particular wine mentioned? Look for one from the same region in the same price range.

Throughout the book you'll find helpful information on chilling wine, choosing a wine store, inviting your friends to a wine-tasting, and how to remember that wine you really liked. There are practical what 12 basic bottles you should have on hand at all times, as well as how long to keep that special bottle of Bordeaux.

Through it all, John and Dorothy make it clear that wine isn't an end in itself, but just one part of a good life. This book is not just about wine, but about life, love, romance, and fun. Drink up!

Genres: Wine, Nonfiction, Reference, Food, Cooking

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 19, 1999

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like wine. I am assuming you do as well, if you are reading this review of a book on wine.

I have accumulated a lot of books on wine (and rarely review any). This one is worth giving time to.

I hate wine snobs. You know the people I mean. They drop their knowledge on you as if they have something you don't and that makes them better.

I like sitting around sipping a few bottles and talking about what makes one more interesting or pleasing than the next. And more to the point: What food to have with it!

Gaiter and Brecher used to write a column for the Wall Street Journal. It was always entertaining AND informative. This book keeps that kind of format for each category of wine and has breakout pieces on subjects ranging from what temperature is best to serve a wine to what foods might pair well. They are not wine snobs --- more like friends you are having over for dinner or drinks. Their book was published over ten years ago, and some of the wine recommendations are quite dated. But you will be passing up all the rest of their great information if you don't latch on to a used copy.

If you are interested in wine, it will be money well spent.

[Patrick Schmelz · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with most nonfiction books, this one is a bit dated and thus the wine recommendations are not very useful, but that is not the important part of the book. The detailed (but not too detailed) write-ups on the different kinds of wine and the extremely approachable descriptions made this a great "starter" book to get to know wines by their types. I absolutely loved the stories that accompanied every wine type and loved the overall feel and enthusiasm. Great read on wine (with wine)!

[Keri Daskam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it's silly to rate a nonfiction book about wine so highly. The writers are journalists with information imbedded in charming stories from all over the world. The fact that they are married to each other makes the whole, hefty book read like a romantic comedy. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Russell Lay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book cover to cover and it opened my eyes to wine. And that's all the review I need to write!

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful guide into the world of wine. Gaiter and Brecher eschew snobbery and encourage all to get out and try something new, gently challenging the comfort zones of many who self-consciously opt for the familiar Merlot or Chardonnay. I appreciated their non-intimidating approach that eliminates the pretentious attitudes of many, as well as their overall perspective toward wine. For the authors, it's not just about the wine but also about the experience, the relationships, the conversations. In a way, it's like wine can be another means to a greater end.

[Neva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorothy and John write about wine in an easily accessible way. They teach you to enjoy and explore, and are never snooty or uptight. I received this book as a (re)gift in 2003 and it totally changed how I drink wine - it led me to try new things, write down what I experience, and find out what I like and dislike.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was really nice review of lots of types of wine. they write like old friends.