Hailed by Paul Levy in The Wall Street Journal as "our cleverest, most thoughtful wine writer," Jancis Robinson makes learning about wine almost as enjoyable as drinking it. With How to Taste, she's put together a unique wine-tasting course based on practical exercises that appeal to wine connoisseurs of all levels.

Robinson explains first how we taste wine and food, and then about the grapes and wines themselves. In separate sections on theory and practice, she offers basic technical information about wine appreciation, then shows us how to apply it in sipping exercises -- all of which are based on readily available and, in most cases, inexpensive bottles. And how better to learn about wine than by actually drinking it?

By the time you finish this book, you'll know how to recognize the most popular grape varieties from Chardonnay to Riesling, to Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, and why you should choose a good sparkling wine over a cheap champagne. You will know how to judge sweetness, acidity, and fruitiness as well as the difference between the length and weight of a wine, and you will be able to distinguish wines from around the world. Robinson also arms you with practical advice about dealing with wine in the real world: choosing from a wine list; setting up and recording your own wine tastings; spitting out your sample mouthful correctly; and complementing food flavors with wine.

Innovative, informative, and above all fun, How to Taste is designed to be taken with you everywhere, from the armchair to the vineyard to the wine shop and back to the table.

Customer Review: Beginners essential book

There are three books I recommend to all eager students of wine: Kevin Zraly's "Windows on the World Wine School"; Karen MacNeil's "Wine Bible" and Jancis Robinson's "How to Taste". Jancis's book is a fun guide to learning the most important part of wine, the taste. Knowing how to taste and compare wine makes it so much fun. Even if you don't do all of the exercises, you will learn a lot and enjoy wine more.

Customer Review: Excellent material for winelovers and beginners

In this book, Jancis Robinson's witty style is more relevant than ever - good british humour at its best. For seasoned wine appreciators and for those who begin their initiation in the affairs of this fascinating beverage, this book is an invaluable and veritable course on the art of tasting. If you're interested in improving your sensibility and using your senses in a more refined and pleasurely way, this is a most welcome work. Highly recommended.

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