Category Archives: Books

A Failed Tea Party with Hugh Johnson

Posted on November 21, 2013 by

When I first fell in love with wine, Hugh Johnson’s Vintage series ran on PBS stations here in the United States. I was enthralled by his presentation of wine’s history, its place in Western civilization and culture, and its romanticism. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Rants, Uncategorized, Wine, writers | Tagged , | 17 Comments

The World Atlas of Wine: Essential Reading for Wine Lovers

Posted on November 20, 2013 by

This article appeared in The Washington Post in slightly different form on November 6, 2013. Coming next: My full interview with Hugh Johnson. There are books that teach you how to taste wine and books that describe how to make … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, China, Jancis, Terroir, Virginia, Wine, writers | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Wine Curmudgeon’s Guide to Cheap Wine

Posted on February 1, 2013 by

Regular readers of this blog know my buddy, Jeff Siegel, aka The Wine Curmudgeon. We are co-founders of DrinkLocalWine.com, the website that became a movement (or at least anticipated one). Jeff is the Eugene Debs of wine consumers, always championing … Continue reading →

Posted in Bargain Wines, Books, Cheap Wine, DrinkLocalWine.com, Wine | 1 Comment

Another tour de force from Jancis Robinson

Posted on December 5, 2012 by

When I wrote my column for today’s Washington Post Food section on books to buy the oenophiliac on your list, I left out the most imposing one. Primarily because of space, but also because I couldn’t bring myself to recommend … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Wine, writers | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Inventing wine through the ages

Posted on December 2, 2012 by

Today marks another first for me – my first appearance in the Book World section of The Washington Post. I review two books: Divine Vintage: Following the Wine Trail from Genesis to the Modern Age, by Joel Butler and Randall … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Religion, Wine | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Book Review: Alice Feiring’s “Naked Wine”

Posted on December 14, 2011 by

When I wrote a column last year expressing some skepticism over the “natural wine” movement, I inadvertently became a poster child for industrial wine, earning public opprobrium from Alice Feiring (though we made peace) and a slap on the wrist … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, California, France, Spain, Uncategorized, Wine, writers | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Evan Dawson’s “Summer in a Glass”

Posted on December 7, 2011 by

This is the fourth in a series of short reviews of wine books worthy of putting under the Christmas tree for the vinophiliac on your list this year. Anyone who has traveled the Finger Lakes – or even enjoyed one … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Eastern US, New York, Riesling, Uncategorized, Wine, writers | Tagged , , | 4 Comments