Sure the labels are confusing and the pronunciation daunting, but France's wines continue to set the standard for excellence around the world. Whether you're well versed in French terroir or you're dabbling outside your comfort zone, this comprehensive guidebook will make you an expert in today's best and best-value wines from France. Jacqueline Friedrich's unpretentious tasting notes are utterly enjoyable and contain the perfect balance of information on specific wines, vintages, prices, and producers.

Customer Review: Great Book by a Great Spokesperson for the Industry

Nearly 20 years ago I had the pleasure of reading Kermit Lynch's first book, "Adventures On the Wine Route." Back then I thought it was by far the best wine-related book I had ever read and my opinion hasn't changed. I would look forward to receiving the monthly Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant newsletters because they were so well-written. I would save them because they were such great reading material, and thought what a good book they would make.

Well, that's just what Mr. Lynch did, turned them into a book. His writings make me thirst for the wines he describes. The thing is, of course he is a salesman since he owns a wine shop, but he backs himself up by importing some mighty good wines. Seeing his name as the importer on a bottle of wine inspires confidence.

Inspiring Thirst is a collection of selections from Mr. Lynch's monthly wine letter and I found it fascinating to follow the journey from its beginnings up to the time the book was published. And also to be in wonderment at how low the prices used to be on such great bottles of wine - unbelievable.

The author definitely has a way with words and leaves no doubt that he loves what he does. The selections in the book, just like every newsletter or brochure he has printed, is a learning experience. It is far from the typical wine shop mailing that screams the point score awarded it by Robert Parker or the Wine Spectator and how limited the production is of that latest boutique find. You will find no point scores in Mr. Lynch's world, nor will you find attempts to stir up a frenzy over the most recent "vintage of the century" that needs to be touted. I love his own "vintage chart" (which happens to be a blank piece of paper). I laughed when it first came in the mail, and laughed upon seeing it again in the book.

This book gets a most enthusiastic thumbs up. Oh, and by the way, while it is a rather expensive book, the quality of the pages and binding (not to mention the reading material itself) make it worth the money.

Customer Review: An inspiration for writers and wine merchants alike!

If you could see me now, you'd notice that I'm just the slightest shade of green. This happens everytime I read a book by Kermit Lynch. No, I'm not ill, just envious. Is it really fair that Kermit was blessed as one of our nation's greatest palates AND one of our greatest writers? And if I ever get a chance to hear his band, I understand I'd be jealous of that too.

I found this, his latest collection of wine missives, difficult to put down. His engaging writing style allowed me to clearly imagine tagging along on each of his European sojourns. I imagined standing next to him in every cellar he described, sitting at every meal he journaled.

If you're anything like me, somewhere in the middle of chapter two or three, you'll begin plotting ways to convince your family a vacation in the French wine country beats Disneyland any day.

Dave Chambers, Wine Merchant
Sideways Wine Club

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