Wine For Dummies (6^th Ed.)

Wine For Dummies, 6^th Edition reveals what?s in, what?s out, and what?s new in wine. With new and revised content, this edition of the popular Wine For Dummies text takes you on a tour of emerging and old world wine regions, showcasing the varieties and styles you need to know to stay up to date on today?s wine scene. In addition to highlighting wines themselves, this approachable resource offers insight into wine shops, supermarket wine selections, wine and food pairings, vintage charts, and price guidelines. For the aspiring wine aficionado, the text offers expert advice on buying, collecting, and rating wines?and can direct you in updating your personal collection through its thorough guidance.

Wine has, for generations, been an important part of culture and society around the world. Over time, trends in wine change?as do the ways in which it is created, celebrated, and enjoyed. Exploring today?s wine trends is a great way to learn more about and appreciate different cultures?and let?s be honest: educational value aside, wine tastes amazing.

• Understand different grape varieties and varying wine styles
• Read wine lists and labels, and understand how to use them to make the right purchases
• Pair your wine with food in a way that will bring out the best flavors in all aspects of your meal
• Explore how to best select, store, open, pour, and enjoy your wine

Wine For Dummies, 6^th Edition provides you with the information you need to confidently navigate today?s wine scene!

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started with Wine 5

Chapter 1: Wine 101 7

Chapter 2: These Taste Buds Are for You 19

Chapter 3: Pinot Envy and Other Secrets about Grape Varieties 33

Chapter 4: Wine Names and Label Lingo 49

Chapter 5: Behind the Scenes of Winemaking 65

Part II: Wine and You: Up Close and Personal 73

Chapter 6: Buying Wine to Drink at Home 75

Chapter 7: Buying Wine in Restaurants 87

Chapter 8: Serving Wine 101

Chapter 9: Marrying Wine with Food 119

Part III: The “Old World” of Wine 125

Chapter 10: Knowing the Wines of France 127

Chapter 11: Italy, the Land of Great Vino 165

Chapter 12: Spain, Germany, and Other European Hot Spots 187

Part IV: Discovering the “New World” of Wine 211

Chapter 13: America, America 213

Chapter 14: The Southern Hemisphere Arises 243

Part V: Wine’s Exotic Face 263

Chapter 15: Champagne and Other Sparklers 265

Chapter 16: Wine Roads Less Traveled: Fortified and Dessert Wines 287

Part VI: When You’ve Caught the Bug 309

Chapter 17: Buying and Collecting Wine 311

Chapter 18: Continuing Education for Wine Lovers 329

Chapter 19: Describing and Rating Wine 343

Part VII: The Part of Tens 351

Chapter 20: Answers to Ten Common Questions about Wine 353

Chapter 21: Ten Wine Myths Demystified 361

Part VIII: Appendixes 369

Appendix A: Pronunciation Guide to Wine Terms 371

Appendix B: Glossary of Wine Terms 377

Appendix C: Vintage Wine Chart: 1993–2012 389

Index 393

Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing–Mulligan share over a half–century of professional wine experience and have coauthored 12 books on wine. Ed also writes for the trade publication Beverage Media and is a columnist for Wine Review Online. Mary is president of the International Wine Center, a prominent wine school in New York City.