Tales from the Wine Floor: 100 Questions Asked of a Sommelier

by James Quaile, John O'Brien (Illustrator)

Unlike most books on wine nowadays, Tales from the Wine Floor is geared toward true beginners—those who enjoy wine but lack the most basic understanding of it. This book offers an easy-to-digest crash course on wine and ready-reference written by a Sommelier. The author explains the intricacies of wine to the average Joe (or Joanne) in a way that is easy to understand and highly entertaining. Here is an easy reference Q&A based on real questions (often absurd or hysterically funny) asked by regular, wine-drinking people and the answers the author gives them in his job as “The Wine Guy.” Among the questions and answers that comprise this book What Are Sulfites? Why Does the Same Wine Sometimes Taste Different? How Do I order Wine at a Restaurant? How Do I Host a Wine Tasting at Home? And, Why is Champagne Served on a Funny-Shaped Glass? Illustrated with amusing drawings by New Yorker cartoonist John O’Brien, novice wine enthusiasts will find Tales from the Wine Floor informative, easily accessible, and a delight to read.

Genres: Wine

228 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Ethan Hulbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I'd give this a 4.5/5, but I'll round up to 5 just 'cause. Answers one hundred questions about wine in extremely accessible terminology, not pretentious, doesn't assume you know a thing.

Interspersed with some cute comics and a bunch of horror stories from working in customer service. I can totally relate to those, but even then, I did find a few of those stories a little... mean? Or, maybe, just, not actually horror stories at all. I guess they weren't all meant to be horror stories, but a fair few felt a little out of place to me. But plenty others were still very funny so it was okay.

Anyway though, really good information, well organized, and the table of contents is very useful for skipping to just what you need. I read it through, but in the future it would be a very easy reference source. Nice book!

[Kevin Macconnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tales from the wine floor is a great, easy read, chock full of information for the wine lover and enthusiast and some really hilarious interactions between the author and customers, inquiring about wine. If you are into wine, you have to get this book!

[David Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great place to go for every question you've ever had about wine with the added benefit of the journey and experiences of a sommelier.