FineWineCountry.com
Oct 07 2008
Willamette Valley Vineyards is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. One of the winery’s commitments since from the beginning has been to offer 10 cents for each wine bottle brought in for recycling, regardless of the original producer.
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Oct 07 2008
How wine is made, from field to cellar to bottle.
Great wine is a complex blend of nature, art and science. In this updated new edition of a classic book, the "how and why" of a wine's creation are examined in detail.
Acclaimed wine writers James Halliday and Hugh Johnson analyze the art and science behind the winemaking process. They start with the fundamental role of terroir the complex combination of characteristics that give a wine its personality. The latest developments in pruning and irrigation are then covered, along with the recent emergence of vineyards in cooler regions and the rise of organic wines.
Wine production in the cellar is detailed for nine specific styles, from light-bodied whites to full-bodied reds, along with sweet, sparkling and fortified varieties. The authors present the choices facing vintners at every step. The science of maturation is discussed, along with the industry's raging debate over the merits of natural cork, plastic cork and screw cap seals. The book also covers:
The Art and Science of Wine is filled with full color photographs and illustrations. With text that reflects the latest winemaking technology and discoveries, this lively book is both accessible and highly informative.
Customer Review: Beautiful, a steal
This is a beautiful, steal of a book (some independent sellers are offering <30% of the price Barnes and Noble wanted when I originally bought it the first time!). If you're like me and really want to know the intricacies of wine production (not just tasting notes, etc.--which this book also contains), this is a handy and educating book to have. Yes, it is paperback, but the front cover is a thick, glossy card stock and the pages inside are glossy as well. Nice for a coffee table or a bookshelf, but even better for your brain!
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Oct 07 2008
The house of Delouis was born in 1885, with the purchase of a vinegar factory in Limoges, France, where they have produced high quality vinegar products ever since. Based on a tradition of Natural Quality, that is, no additives, preservative or artificial flavors, Delouis produces some of the finest vinegars out in the market today. Wine vinegars are a popular staple in most kitchens, used predominantly for condiment purposes. This vinegar made from robust Bordeaux wine is decidedly the finest yet, a very refined and tangy product. Perfect in salad dressings and vinaigrettes.
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Oct 06 2008
“Whether you are an avid collector or wine novice, this book offers an extensive resource in an accessible format.”
—Charlie Trotter, Acclaimed Chef and Award-Winning Author
“This book is an invitation to discover the bountiful wine regions, each different from one another, and is an homage to the beauty and uniqueness of the delicious wines they produced.”
—Georges Duboeuf, Les Vins Georges Duboeuf
“The diversity of French wine is one of its attractions, but it can seem perplexing...until you pick up this marvelous guide. The route is well -marked, easy-to-follow, and the destinations are delicious.”
—Kermit Lynch, Wine Merchant and author, Adventures on the Wine Route
“...Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan lead us by the hand down the road of adventure to discover the wines of France that they know so well.... In their relaxed, wise, and mischievous way, they show us the joy and pleasure of drinking French wine.”
—Prince Alain de Polignac, Winemaker, Champagne Pommery
You no longer need to be confused or intimidated by French wine. Authored by certified wine educators and authors Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan, French Wine For Dummies introduces you to the delicious world of fine French wine. Among other things, you’ll discover how to:
Here’s everything you need to know to sip and savor the best—and the best-value—Bordeaux, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Alsace, and other delicious wines. This lighthearted and informative guide covers:
So pour yourself a big glass of Beaujolais Nouveau, sit back, and enjoy the ride as Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan take you on an intoxicating journey through the wonderful world of French wine.
Customer Review: Good basic knowlage
This book gives the reader a good basic knowledge of French wine. An excellent introduction to the field. The references are very good and information is good, the only critisism is that it comes across too silly. I got the impression that the author was almost "talking down" to me. Good overall.
Customer Review: Straight Forward and Interesting
Whether you are a novice to French wines or have experience, this book will give you the information you need to understand what you are drinking. Easy to read and packed with knowledge. If you are looking for a book on French Wine, this is a great one.
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Oct 06 2008
Lapiana has infused an excellent quality wine vinegar with the subtle sweetness of blueberries. Just a splash of La Piana Blueberry Infused Wine Vinegar will heighten the flavor of your favorite dishes without adding any fat.
Infused wine vinegars are great for perking up grilled vegetables and seafood, for use in a salad dressing or in a marinade for meats.
Lapiana Blueberry Infused Wine Vinegar is sold in an attractive square bottle containing 8.8 fl oz. (250ml).
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Oct 05 2008
This distinctive olive comes to you from vistas of olive groves in the Valley of Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics. Hand-picked to avoid bruising, these olives are inspected twice. Ideal for salads, focaccia, pasta sauces or a tapenade.
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Oct 04 2008
Turn to Grossman's Guide to Wines, Beers, and Spirits for quick answers to your questions about any alcoholic beverage and for insights into the history and origins of liquor. Whether you're looking for technical advice or interesting conversation pieces, this resource is sure to meet all of your needs.
Customer Review: Get up to speed on spirits in 600 pages
There may be more recent books focused on wine or beer, but this is the most comprehensive guide to alcoholic beverages in general. Tired of listening to a couple of colleagues discussing a subject that I knew nothing about, I read this fascinating book, and soon turned the tables: until I showed them evidence, they simply would not believe that Amaretto was made made from apricot pits rather than almonds! Many other products, like Spanish sherry, have interesting details and histories that I had never suspected. About the organization, roughly one-third is devoted to wines (a chapter per country), one-third to other alcoholic beverages, and one-third to technical advice and appendices on menu-planning, storage, vintages, etc. A highly enjoyable and informative book, very nicely balanced.
Customer Review: Grossman's sets a standard
Meant principally as a textbook, _Grossman's_ is nevertheless imminently readable for fun. If you feel awkward in some social situations because you can't comment intelligently on fine drink, this is a good place to start. You'll come away from the book with a working knowledge of: * world wine regions * legal definitions of various liquor types * liquor, beer and wine production * principles of marketing and purchasing * beverage service * proper glassware * liquor trivia Certainly, this book lacks a contemporary voice. With an original copyright date of 1940, some of the text has remained unaltered for 60 years. It misses trends in recent American beer production, and doesn't give very complete information about emerging wine producers, such as post-Apartheid South Africa. But at its heart, this is a thoroughly objective textbook which has been written and continuously edited specifically to be brand-neutral. This makes it the pre-eminent textbook for use in a general survey course on liquor service, or an invaluable resource for anyone trying to gain a healthy appreciation for alcohol.
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Oct 04 2008
Customer Review: 50 years of enjoying Elizabeth David
My mother introduced me to the wonders of Elizabeth David 50 years ago! In her English country kitchen, with all the rigors of post-war shortages, she would pore over Elizabeth David's mediterranean recipes. In those days the basic ingredients available in a small village didn't extend to much more than carrots and potatoes. But David's recipes would inspire my mother's creativity, and we would eat the most amazing dishes, with the ingredients adapted to what could be unearthed in the village shop. Now, so many years later, this compendium of articles brings back vividly that - for me - happy time. It is a book to pick up, dip into, take note of her suggestions, try out the recipes. It transports you to France and back again, it gives sensible advice, brings a mixture of common sense and fantasy to the chaos which is modern living today. And yes, an omelette and a glass of wine (or two, as Elizabeth David so sensibly says) is my favorite meal! Thank you.
Customer Review: In love. 
I've always been scared to buy ED's books.
Why? Because most reviewers go out of their way to point out how intelligent she is (true), how ruthless she is in terms of staying authentic, how she fills her books with references to obscure and elite sources. She always seems to be described as less approachable then most food-writers, with a sharp wit and an even sharper tongue.
To that I say...
*NONSENSE!*
She's not an elite-writer, she's simply a very smart woman with a deep love for food. She doesn't seem rigid or overly strict with her recipies at all. She just seems like a lovely entertaining expert on all things edible, explaining why things taste better when prepared a certain way, making you ponder the truth in what she writes, and making you realise she's telling you things you should have already figured out on your own. She's a teacher, but a very loving one. Elegant without being prissy, experienced and willing to share.
I wish I had bought this book much earlier. It's filled with wonderful essays, thoughts and descriptions. It made me hungry and happy at the same time! If you like a book with more substance then just a HUGE index of 10.000 recipies -like some cookbooks are- then this is perfect.
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Oct 03 2008
Customer Review: An okay book
First of all I know nothing about cheese.
This is my first cheese book I have looked at. With that being said here's my review:
This book has some good points: 1) a dictionary of specialized cheese lingo in the back which gives pretty good descriptions of the vocabulary used in cheese making. 2) it has many cheeses, and lots of pictures for a small book.And brief sections on: 3)which cheeses are best in which times of year and 4) how to read cheese labels 4) how to serve cheese/ pair with wine. It actualy covers a lot in such a small book. (even how to introduce cheese to children). It's written by an expert french cheese maker.
However, the book is translated from french and therefore suffers a bit in english. Sometimes it's a bit hard to understand what they are saying since it still carries the french way of speaking though using english words. That's just to warn you. Plus I was disappointed that it was so small in size... but it's cheap, and I guess easy to carry around if you need to refer to it at some cheese market. It's not a bad deal for the price and it's a fairly good introduction to a broad range of cheese topics.
Customer Review: A Great Resource
A phenomenal resource for any lover of great cheese. The author's knowledge and practical experience come through clearly. A little weak on coverage of American Artesan cheeses, but otherwise a good read and a great reference.
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