This ten chapter book is a refreshing approach to wine appreciation from America's best female Master Sommelier. Andrea Immer breaks down the intimidating work of a restaurant sommelier to the consumer in an easy reading book full of information. Highlights include a chapter on "The Big Six Wine Grapes" which account for more than 80% of the world's wine production along with a "unique learn the lingo" of the wine press section called the "Wine Buyer's Toolbox" which will help you with the necessary vocabulary for understanding and buying wines in a restaurant or wine shop. Three chapters into the book and your own toolbox of wine terms has grown faster than reading any other wine book that I've seen in many years. The book covers many of the "secrets" of the trade including sections on the "new" and "old" world as well as "cool" and "warm" climate wines. The "Wine Flavour Map" chapter something everyone in the trade knows about; but does not tell anyone about is an eye-opener on why wine tastes the way it does. This book along with six bottles of wine would be a great Christmas gift for anyone of any level of wine knowledge. I read this book over and over again. When I rate a wine I use a five star system; this book gets a **** four star.

Review by Stephen R. Bonner, Editor ABV Alcohol By Volume

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