This new collection by the acclaimed novelist—and, according to Salon, “the best wine writer in America”—is generous and far-reaching, deeply knowledgeable and often hilarious.
For more than a decade, Jay McInerney’s vinous essays, now featured in The Wall Street Journal, have been praised by restaurateurs (“Filled with small courses and surprising and exotic flavors, educational and delicious at the same time” —Mario Batali), by esteemed critics (“Brilliant, witty, comical, and often shamelessly candid and provocative” —Robert M. Parker Jr.), and by the media (“His wine judgments are sound, his anecdotes witty, and his literary references impeccable” —The New York Times).
Here McInerney provides a master class in the almost infinite varieties of wine and the people and places that produce it all the world over, from the historic past to the often confusing present. From such legendary châteaus as Margaux and Latour and Palmer to Australia and New Zealand and South Africa, to new contenders in Santa Rita Hills and Paso Robles, we learn about terroir and biodynamic viticulture, what Champagnes are affordable (or decidedly not), even what to drink over thirty-seven courses at Ferran Adrià's El Bulli—in all, an array of grapes and wine styles that is comprehensive and thirst inducing. And conspicuous throughout is McInerney’s trademark flair and expertise, which in 2006 prompted the James Beard Foundation to grant him the MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award.
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"Well respected wine writer divulges his innermost affection for a varietal per chapter, in this wine lover's treat. A great read, but only for those who appreciate wine. I loved it!"
— Alex (5 out of 5 stars)
A master wine writer at the top of his class…. ’Is Jay McInerney the world’s best wine writer?’ The Guardian asked recently. After reading his last collection of wine essays, I would have to argue that he is certainly the most entertaining.
— Corrie Perkin, The Weekly ReviewSuperlative...McInerney writes with a charismatic flair throughout [and] his enthusiasm and eloquence is a heady mix that will inspire even non-"grape nuts" to order a case or two.
— Carl Wilkinson, Financial TimesMcInerney's Everyman with a humongous wine cellar [and] he also makes you want to drink good wine—not always bottles beyond your means—and to take great pleasure in it.
— Steven Shapin, The Guardian [UK]America's leading literary oenographer, a non-snob whose prose benefits from an insouciant skepticism about the conventional wisdom....And it says something about his taste that while he is sober-minded on the matter of drinking itself, he is intemperate, sometimes delightfully so, about the other elements of his hobby—about the pursuit, the possession, the scent of the soil, the myth of the grape, the search for lost time.
— Troy Patterson, The Slate Book Review" Maybe it's just me, but I find reading about wine much like dancing about architecture--impossible to experience the actual beauty of the thing in the documented form. But I bet the audiobook playing in your ear while sipping a bottle of something great is a much more satisfying experience... "
— Jessica, 11/10/2013" A collection of columns about wine by novelist and wine lover/expert McInerney. Best read with a glass of your favorite wine in hand. "
— Valerie, 9/24/2013" he's so wealthy! "
— Billy, 6/28/2013" a very creative learning experience. I think that I do not know enough from his standpoint to really benefit. There are a couple of things I may try given the right time and place. "
— Laurie, 12/4/2012" A lucious read...makes one want to drink more, travel more and dream a lot ! "
— Jenny, 7/16/2012Jay McInerney is the author of seven novels and two collections of essays on wine. He is a regular contributor to New York magazine, Guardian Weekly (London), and Corriere della Sera.