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California’s Central Coast has long been recognized as one of the world s premier winemaking regions. Now there is a guide to all the wineries, 230 between Paso Robles and Malibu, that invite you to come taste their wines. This guide takes you to them. To the back-road wineries, some without a tasting room, but with a plank across a barrel where the owner pours for you. To the wineries with closed gates, but the guide gives you the right number to call. To the auto shop, the 1926 Sears Craftsman home, the underground caves, the castle and the lawyer s office … all the great places where wine can be tasted along the Central Coast. With a page devoted to each winery with a history and a listing of the main wines offered. Plus, the guidebook prepares the reader for the trip by explaining the ins-and-outs of tasting etiquette, ideas to make the day more enjoyable, contains a glossary of terms the wineries use and a pronunciation guide for all those strange names…like Viognier.

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)

A wonderful resource for any wine lover in the California Central Coast area

Written by veteran wine tasting tour leader Mike O’Beirne, The Wine Tasting Guide to California Central Coast: 230 Wineries From Paco to Mailbu You Won’t Want to Miss lives up to its title. Chapters guide the reader to little-known, back-road wineries, with tips for getting in to wineries that seem to close their gates to the public; offer a basic course in winemaker’s lingo as well as how to pronounce wine names; recommend wine clubs that are best for different tastes; and much more. A wonderful resource for any wine lover in the California Central Coast area, whether tourist or resident, that reveals the author’s joy in the hobby on every detail-laden page.

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Mr. Mac (TX)

Guide to CA Central Wineries without direction

Pro: This book is an alphabetical one-page guide to nearly every central coast winery. The ones not listed are noted as not responding. Cons: The three regions seem to be based upon which side of the main highway there are on. To some one from out of state, the directions are really good only to life-time natives of the region. There are no general or regional maps. The next edition of the book could be every good with some additional general area information.

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Professor Donald Mitchell (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 97,000 Helpful Votes Globally)

Explore New Wineries to Taste Their Best, Make Friends, and Enjoy Life!

In 1973, I was helping the company I worked for to improve its strategy for the wine industry. One of my assignments is one that I’ll always remember: to tour every winery in California that was open to visitors. In those days, you could hope to accomplish the task in two or three weeks. br /br /One of the biggest surprises at the time was seeing thousands of acres in new plantings in the central coast that I passed as I went from one winery to another. The plantings were so new that no wine was coming from them, but it was clear that the central coast was going to give Napa and Sonoma a run for their money in producing fine varietal wines. Having not been back to that region to tour wineries in over 30 years, I was intrigued by this book.br /br /Those thousands of acres of new plantings are now tens of thousands of acres of new plantings, many of which are farmed by small wineries to make just a few thousand cases a year of fine estate wines. In most instances, the wineries are owned and operated by a family of wine lovers for whom this is a second career. br /br /I wouldn’t know where to start to decide which wineries to visit, even if I had the time to spend 6-8 weeks exploring. With this guide, I could spend an occasional day in the region and have a ball. br /br /Mike O’Beirne and his wife, Jo-Ann, have visited every winery that is described in the book. For completeness, they also list a few wineries that are reported to offer tours and tastings but which did not respond to their request for a visit. If I counted correctly, they visited more than 200 wineries. What fun that must have been!br /br /Each winery has a photograph (owners, tasting rooms, vineyards, labels, and entrance signs) to give you a flavor of the winery. You’ll also find out where they get their grapes, whether they farm the grapes or not, the wines they offer, the price range, the volume they produce, the production methods, when they were founded, and interesting biographies of those who own and operate the wineries. In some cases, there’s also a brief history of the winery prior to its current ownership. In a few cases, you even get tips as to who you want to do your tasting with. In all cases, you’ll get good driving directions (important because there are many tiny wineries in off-the-beaten path locations). Read these materials before visiting, and you’ll pick more interesting places to see, wines you’ll like better, and more fascinating people to chat with (the owner will often do the tasting at a small winery if you call ahead to make an appointment).br /br /If you are new to wine tasting, there’s also a helpful section in the beginning to bring you up to speed on methods, protocol, pronunciations, and a glossary of key terms. br /br /A votre sante!br /

New Prices From :- $5.97 (last updated 25/08/2010@16:08:15)

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The Paris Tasting of 1976 will forever be remembered as the landmark event that transformed the wine industry. At this legendary contest — a blind tasting — a panel of top French wine experts shocked the industry by choosing unknown California wines over France’s best.PGeorge M. Taber, the only reporter present, recounts this seminal contest and its far-reaching effects, focusing on three gifted unknowns behind the winning wines: a college lecturer, a real estate lawyer, and a Yugoslavian immigrant. With unique access to the main players and a contagious passion for his subject, Taber renders this historic event and its tremendous aftershocks — repositioning the industry and sparking a golden age for viticulture across the globe. With an eclectic cast of characters and magnificent settings, IJudgment of Paris/i is an illuminating tale and a story of the entrepreneurial spirit of the new world conquering the old.

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J. Wesling (San Diego)

Enjoy your wine more with a dose of history

br /This book is so informative, full of facts, details and historical events, that you will learn much more than you expected. I thought it would be dry and dull; on the contrary it is so well-written that the pages fly by. You won’t be disappointed with this book.

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K. Cousins (United States)

As much about winemaking as the 1976 tasting

This was a fascinating, highly informative book. The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is because, like other reviewers here, I think it cold have gone through another round of editing. Still, a great read.

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D. Wolf (Fairfax, VA USA)

A Facinating Bit of Wine History

Taber does a very good job telling the story of the famous 1976 wine tasting that included both top American and French wines. What he does especially well is provide context about the event and the history leading up to it. The book presents an overview the history of wine in both France and California, and including some of the individual stories of the California winemakers which is key to understanding the significance of the results of the tasting and makes the story more personal. Taber also demystifies the event which has been over analyzed and told in a charming but highly inaccurate movie, Bottle Shock. The tasting took place over two hours and was witnessed by only one reporter – Taber. Some reviewers of the book complain that there is too little written about the tasting event. The reason for that is pretty simple. Some experts convened, tasted, voted, and left. It was all over in a rush and there wasn’t much to report about the activities of that short period.br /br /What Taber does particularly well is explain that the tasting was not intended as an “us versus them” contest, but as one wine merchant’s means of helping market US wines in France by having French wine experts recognize the quality of California wines. It was the reaction of the public afterward that gave the tasting its unintended significance. br /br /The real message of the book is that the sharing of information and collaboration of winemakers around the world, modeled after the experience of the Californians, has helped widen the production of good wine globally. Countries such as South Africa, Australia, and Chile have quickly become major producers of very drinkable wine. While some bemoan the globalization (some call it Parkerization) of wine, Taber points out that there are still new producers such as those in Portugal who are creating great new wines using unusual local varietals. While some of the bad domestic wines will be replaced by those of major producers such as Australia’s Yellow Tail, that may not always be a bad thing.br /br /The reason for rating the book 4 stars instead of 5 is that some of the writing is choppy and repetitive (how many times do we need to be told about the wine making process and the importance of malolactic fermentation?). Don’t let this discourage you. Most of the book is well written, and the stories of some of the individual winemakers are fascinating.br /br /I think I’ll go have a glass of wine now and relax.br /br /

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Marco Roman (Belo Horizonte – Brasil)

Good, could be better

I knew a little bit of the history of the Paris judgment. Since this book is told by someone present there, it is the most reliable source of information. I think the history is very interesting on itself. I just though the author could do better… He takes a lot of pages on the story of the wine makers, which is interesting but too much detailed. The judgement itself has much less space, and I think the author could have taken it longer. After the judgment and its repercussion the author takes a lot more on considerations on all world regions…br /It is all interesting, but I had bought the book for the Paris judgement, not for the author’s opinion on South African wines.

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Brian J. Kile ()

Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting That Revolutionized Wine

Loved the historical recount of the land, the wineries and the wine makers, didn’t love the superfluous progression of modern wine closing chapters.

New Prices From :- $5.18 (last updated 25/08/2010@16:08:15)

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Rob Boyles (Crown Point, Indiana United States)

Best book for wine professional

If you are involved in the business of wine, selling, teaching, etc. or want to learn the finer points of enjoying and analyzing what’s in the glass, I urge you to find this book!! In my 20+ years of selling wine, no other book has given me more helpful information than this. I’m puzzled as to why it is out of print.brComplete with colour variation plates that show what to visually expect when looking for maturity/condition of wine in a glass. A ton of info in a pocket guide.

New Prices From :- $2.99 (last updated 25/08/2010@16:08:15)

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Product Description
Wine Tasting: A Professional Handbook is an essential guide for any professional or serious connoisseur seeking to understand both the theory and practice of wine tasting. From techniques for assessing wine properties and quality, including physiological, psychological, and physicochemical sensory evaluation, to the latest information on types of wine, the author guides the reader to a clear and applicable understanding of the wine tasting process.brbrIncluding illustrative data and testing technique descriptions, Wine Tasting is for professional tasters, those who train tasters and those involved in designing wine tastings as well as the connoisseur seeking to maximize their perception and appreciation of wine. brbrKey Features:br* Revised and updated coverage, notably the physiology and neurology taste and odor perception.br * Expanded coverage of the statistical aspect of wine tasting (specific examples to show the process), qualitative wine tasting (examples for winery staff tasting their own wines; more examples for consumer groups and restaurants), tripling of the material on wine styles and types, wine language, the origins of wine quality, and food and wine combinationbr * Flow chart of wine tasting stepsbr * Flow chart of wine production proceduresbr * Practical details on wine storage and problems during and following bottle openingbr * Examples of tasting sheetsbr * Details of errors to be avoidedbr * Procedures for training and testing sensory skillbr

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T. Owen (oaktown)

An amazing book for all tasters…

I am in the coffee business and spend all my days roasting and tasting coffee samples, or traveling to coffee-producing origins. And I actually prefer beer to wine (I’m a home brewer too). I say that as a preface to this: Wine Tasting by Ronald Jackson is the best book on sensory analysis I have ever read. It’s a dry read, but that is why it works. It dismisses the romance of sensory experience in favor of a more empirical approach. In that way, it makes me actually appreciate what I am trying to do with coffee cupping on a daily basis, and understand how the tasting process can be fraught with errors. It also confronts the myth of super tasters and the huge egos you find in this kind of business, and helps me organize my methods of tasting to get the best results. So whatever the beverage, get this book!!!

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Gattofriulano (Seattle, WA USA)

Excellent book

Well written, clear, extremely informative and escapes all the affectation that you often see when people start to talk or write about wine. Maybe too detailed for most people looking for an introductory book on wine tasting, but if you are curious about the methodology and science behind, this is a great resource.

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Bernard Klem (Stamford CT)

Wine tasting for the advanced wine taster

An amazing work which should be praised to the heavens by those advanced wine tasters who want to better understand what it is they’re seeing, smelling, tasting and feeling. And why. Not a book for beginners, this is a carefully structured work of high calibre, right up there with the other landmark winetasting works by Amerine, Baldy, Broadbent, Noble and Peynaud. Every serious wine library should have a copy.

New Prices From :- $64.55 (last updated 25/08/2010@16:08:15)

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N. Head ()

Best wine course ever!

I’ve read several wine course books and this is by far the most interesting and usable book. Thumbs up!

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Chowmein ()

great book

This book is really informative, and I love how Robinson gives little practice homework for you to try. She’s really opening your palate up to the tasting challenge.

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Gourmet Denis (East cost)

Savoury not always easy

Savoury not always easy.br /br /I will not suggest this book for any beginner in wine discovery but recommend for all of us which have difficult time to put an adjective to our sensation. Author very well qualify to propose a clear method of approaching the tasting two by two. I pass through in one week and return to various chapter from time to time and continue to love it. br /

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William Shirah ()

Great Start

I like my wine but wanted to go deeper into understanding what I tasting or enjoying and also why. The question was where to start. I was very lucky, this book was a great start. The first part will teach you how to use your taste buds,and give you a foundation for tasting, then teach you about the grape and the wine. Also the difference in country and regions. I went from there to Kevin Zraly’s Windows On The World Complete Wine Course. Jancis’s book prepared me well for this second wine book by Kevin. I hope to read Jancis’s book again when I finish Kevin’s book and I believe I will get much more out of it. Also she write for us common folks.

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F. Polido (Long Island, NY USA)

Great book…

This book is a great start for any person interest in wines; it teaches how to taste wine ( and any food or liquid in that matter) through very good and simple lessons.

New Prices From :- $13.66 (last updated 25/08/2010@16:08:15)

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Everything you need to know about starting a wine club. This sassy handbook teaches you and your girlfriends the art of selecting, sampling, and sipping the fruit of the vine (while you indulge in the latest gossip, of course).pA foolproof month-by-month plan by sommelier, Maureen Petrosky, highlights all the pesky details, so you and your girlfriends can sit back and sip. pFrom still to sparkling and delicate whites to rich reds, each month’s chapter singles out a grape for study and enjoyment-school was never like this! This course with class includes easy-does-it entertaining tips, taste-testing know-how, and tantalizing wine facts.pExpert recommendations for brilliant wines at killer prices! What woman doesn’t love a bargain? pWine-laden tidbits such as how to collect bottles for a personal wine stash.pOutrageously scrumptious recipes that teach you simply to pair wine and food-it’s a no-brainer.pThe latest on the snazziest wine gizmos and gadgets. Shoppers, start your engines.pDemystified terminology: a short course in “wine speak” makes any wine novice comfortable when shopping for and serving wine.

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C. Nilsen (WV)

As Expected

The book is what I expected it to be, a helpful guide to get a club going or just to help educate yourself. Great gift for a friend who likes wine and wants to learn more.

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Terry Stinnett (Louisville KY)

Wine tasting as a hobby

Have only skimmed the book but have found great ideas for girl’s night. Can open the book to any page and find new and different ideas as well as great information about wines and wine parties.

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kiwanissandy (Heart of Ohio)

One of the best books, print hard to read, no pictures.

I rated this book 4 stars rather than 5 because it lacks any pictures whatsoever and the print is hard to read. Otherwise, it is a must have. The print is dark purple on recycled paper and then the headings are written in a bold font with every other letter being regular font. It was distracting and almost seemed childish to have been typeset this way. There are also no actual pictures, just drawings.br /br /The book is divided into each month featuring a different varietal. The months are: January, champagne; February, cabernet; March, syrah; April, merlot; May, viognier; June, riesling; July, chardonnay; August, sauvignon blanc; September, dessert wines; October, Zinfandel; November Pinot; December, pick your poison. So basically all the big grape types are covered.br /br /So far I have done the June and August tastings. For June the chapter explains all the different types of Rieslings. The author suggests having a tasting with a German Mosel wine, both Kabinett (dry) and Spatlese (less dry), an Alsace, France Riesling, upstate New York, California and then adding a ringer of a Gewurztraminer. The chapter goes on to explain what to look for in a Riesling, its typical characteristics, body, and finish. The food pairings are coconut frozen yogurt, sushi rice, salmon nigiri, spicy tuna sushi rolls, california sushi rolls, and vegetable sushi rolls. All recipes are provided. It was absolutely awesome. I invited 8 friends to share in the tasting and everyone loved it. We’re now committing to doing it every month and we’re using this book as a guide. It went over so well that friends over Christmas wanted to have the sushi and rieslings all over again.br /br /The next month we did the Sauvignon Blanc wines. I didn’t follow the order of the book and you don’t have to. For the S.B. I purchased a Pouilly-Fume, New Zealand, oaked and unoaked S.B. from California, and then a Chile and South African S.B. for the tastings. What I like particularly about this book is that you don’t have to buy specific wines. It has suggested “regions,” which makes it easy to find wines. So many wine tasting books have specific wines listed and you can no longer find those wines. This book is superb along those lines.br /br /For the food, the recipes provided were fresh corn soup, blueberry ginger sorbet, grilled shrimp with tarragon dipping sauce, lemon meringue, spicy chicken and chile quesadillas, and juicy tomatoes. I loved the grilled shrimp and we’ve since had that again. They were delish.br /br /I would definitely recommend this book. I also tried Wine Food Friends by Karen MacNeil and it was too high brow. The recipes were too upscale for a casual gathering and the wines suggested were specific and high dollar. This book is geared more for the beginner who just wants to have some friends over and sample some wines. Your price point is whatever you want it to be. This book would be a great gift given with a bottle wine. br /br /The book seems geared for women showing all women on the cover and even comparing it to a book club. I think the book did itself a disservice by focusing on only women. This book is for everyone. br /br /I also purchased Wine Mondays: Simple Wine Pairings with Seasonal Menus and those recipes were not simple and not everyday. Skip that book altogether. br /br /I also tried Everyday Dining with Wine by Andrea Immer and it was broken down in similar categories as The Wine Club: A Month-by-Month Guide to Learning About Wine with Friends but the recipes were more complicated. It had similiar wine descriptions but the recipes for the Sauvignon Blancs were seared shrimp and chorizo bites, coconut milk curry shrimp soup, tarragon and mustard crusted scallops, and mussel salad with seared avocado dressing. So as you can see a completely different style of food. It would be up to you to decide which is more your style.br /br /Both books are excellent. The Everyday Dining book also had print that was hard to read, it was red and green on white paper. It’s paper is high gloss so it was a little harder to read because of the glare. The Everyday Dining book also had specific wine suggestions rather than general regional suggestions and it also had different price points which was nice. br /br /Overall, The Wine Club, is a great book. br /

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Sueellen I. Hathaway (kennebunkport, maine United States)

excellent resource – informative ENTERTAINING

i found this book to be extremely helpful as an introduction to becoming a more knowledgeable wine drinker and conversationist…br /most importantly, i found this book to be a great read! organized in an creative manner it answered all my questions i had – and more that i wouldn’t have even considered prior to becoming the connoisseur i am today.br /another great resource i’ve found in my search – a good first step to the wine life – check out: br /http://www.halogenguides.com/living/guide/club-vinobr /br /

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FLkeys girl (Marathon, FL)

Thank you Maureen

I love this book. It makes wine easy to understand and the recipes look awesome. I haven’t tried any yet but am looking forward to trying the pairings. Thanks for a fun, easy to understand book!

New Prices From :- $4.70 (last updated 25/08/2010@16:08:15)

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Berf ()

Great guide to the wines of the world

I was looking to see if this book has been updated and found that the original is still sold. Well, it’s still a great book and gives you an impressive overview of the world’s wine growing regions. I continue to be amazed how much information is found in its 900+ pages. Certainly some of the up and coming regions such as Virginia could use an update, however the book still has tremendous value. For less than $14 bucks, it’s a must have.

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Bruce J. Slack ()

Wine

The book has everything you want to know about wine, where it comes from, and much more. It’s a great reference for answering any questions concerning wine.

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G. Roma (San Diego, CA)

if you love wine, you’ll love the book

Very informational and she knows what she is talking about. Pay attention, take your time and digest this book. You will be glad you did!

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Elizabeth Harland ()

new book!

Reviews said this book would have been used a bit, but it was brand new! Such a comprehensive educational book. Shipping was great- only 4 business days. Thanks so much!

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Deanninelcerbone (atl, ga)

well after 2 attempts I still don’t have it

Not too happy, but I am sure it will get resolved.I ordered it and it did not come in the envelope it was mailed in and I contacted the seller and they said they would send another one right away. I still have not received it,it has been at least 5 weeks. so……not sure what to do at this point???

New Prices From :- $11.98 (last updated 25/08/2010@16:08:15)

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DIVThis fully revised and updated edition of Michael Broadbent’s award-winning classic—the first book in English on the topic—demystifies this complex subject for beginners and experts alike. Few experts are as skilled as Broadbent in the subject, and he guides readers through the first principles of tasting, providing detailed explanations of the influences of grape variety, soil, and climate. Every aspect is covered: the elements that affect a wine’s appearance, “nose,” and flavor. In addition, he summarizes the regional characteristics and vintages of each country. Finally, there are detailed tips on organizing tastings, as well as storing and serving wine. /DIV

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mathwonk ()

excellent source of useful information on wine tasting

This is a terrific book and a great bargain. He teaches you how to serve and enjoy wine, including the rarely found aspect of judging age of wine, and suggestions on how long to air wines before drinking. There are full color illustrations showing the difference between young, mature, and old wines. The opinions are honestly stated as opinions, not misleadingly given as gospel. One of the most helpful suggestions to me, is to be bold in regard to how long to air your fine wines. There is also information on glasses, storage, and serving wine to help anyone gain more enjoyment from his collection.

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Robert C. Ross (New Jersey)

A marvelous classic

The first edition of this handy little book was published in almost 50 years ago, and it has been revised from time to time, not so much as to the substance, but more to update references to specific wines and new developments in the science of taste and to reflect Broadbent’s experiences in tasting wine.br /br /Broadbent has been tasting wines and writing down his impressions for a very long time — a small phamplet became the first edition of this book in 1968. This book captures the essence of what he has learned about tasting wine during his career as a wine merchant and a wine auctioneer, dealing throughout both careers with wine consumers. “My viewpoint is based, fair and square on the finished product, as it appears on the market.”br /br /There many treasures here, not the least Broadbent’s position that you don’t need to be an expert, or even interested in wine, to enjoy drinking it. br /br /But drinking is not tasting wine. “Drinking pleases, mellows, loosens the tongue and inhibitions; drinking wine with food is healthy and natural; drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life’s most civilized pleasures. To some, tasting is work, tasting is learning; tasting adds immeasurably to understanding, and understanding to deeper enjoyment.”br /br /Broadbent’s prose is clear, and he has a gift for quoting some of the giants in the wine lovers world. Example: “I was convinced forty years ago — and the conviction remains to this day — that in wine tasting and wine-talk there is an enormous amount of humbug.” T. G. Shaw, 1863.br /br /Broadbent provides almost no humbug in this marvelous little book. br /br /Robert C. Ross 2007 2008

New Prices From :- $9.98 (last updated 25/08/2010@16:08:15)

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Product Description
Whether it’s a casual afternoon in the backyard or a more formal soirée, a wine tasting party is fun and educational for everyone—from novices to sophisticated sippers. Within this all-inclusive kit are the elements to be a terrific host, including cloth wine bottle covers, tasting score pads, a cheat sheet, glass markers, and an entertaining book that introduces you to the ins and outs of tasting wine in a comfortable, festive, social setting—your own home. Includes: – 64-page illustrated book – Tasting notepads – Wineglass markers – Six reusable linen wine bottle covers – “Cheat sheet” of tasting terms

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Kimmy in Valencia (Los Angeles, CA)

Yes, you can put together your own “kit” but…

it will take time, effort and certainly more than $10 for you to do so. This kit really is the perfect novice set. It all comes packaged in a very compact game-box like container. The book is handy but not so long-winded or pretentious that your guests couldn’t flip through it quickly (if they so choose). What I really found handy was the stand-up card that gives you a quick “how-to” on tasting wines. br /br /As others have stated, the pads to rate the wines are plentiful. As are the wine glass markers.br /br /All in all, this set would make a great gift and a wonderful starter set for novice or casual wine tasters.br /br /Cheers!br /br /Added 5/27: Finally put the kit to use and it was very handy. I really liked the wine bags — easy to use to cover up the bottles. I’d much prefer that than “foil” or “paperbag” as some wine tasting sites suggest. Guests were interested in where I got it, how much it was etc… so seems like it would be a no-brainer gift for wine drinkers.

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S. Kwock (Honolulu)

Wine Tasting Party Kit

For beginners and novices, this kit was a hit. My guest were impressed with the bags covering the bottles and the tasting note forms. Also, the card tent that gives tasting tips were helpful for the wanna be serious tasters to learn what to taste for. I learned that there is not much in a wine tasting party as long as you have lots food and wine (other than the blind bottles). We blind tasted 6 bottles of red wines of different grapes and varietals and price. The guest rated the wines based upon what they liked the best on a scale of 1 to 10 and logged their preferences on the tasting note forms. We had a couple bottles costing over $60 and one under $15. To all of our surprise, the $25 bottle won! It was all good and fun. All 25 of my guests want another tasting party again, which might be based upon varietals rather then different types of wines. br /br /The kit is made for a small party of about 6 people because the kit supplied 100 tasting note forms. We hardly used all of the forms because about half of my guest didn’t bother rating the wines. However, they knew which bottle they liked and were surprised by the winner at the unveiling ceremony. The bottle bags are a rich burgundy color which were enhanced by the sparkling crystal tasting glasses. It was an impressive table setting. I didn’t have a clue on hosting a wine tasting party. If like me, this kit is a good first start.

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A. Hanson (Maple Grove, MN)

Great fun in a box – just add wine!

I’ve used other wine tasting kits and I like this one best. The bags are a nice quality of fabric, the pads where you write your tasting notes have good categories and overall it’s a good price for what you get. There is a lot of extra paper in the note pads so this will last for a long time.

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Taylor Blue ()

Very Fun

This kit is perfect for beginners. I didn’t have a clue of how to get started in planning a party and this kit took the guess work out of EVERYTHING. However, it is very interactive and I reccomend keeping your guest list small (4-5 people/4-5 bottles).

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Judith A. Westman ()

Lives up to title

The Wine Tasting Party Kit was a real hit and included six reusable cloth bags to hide the wine bottles, rating sheets, and wine glass stem labels. The enclosed book is very basic but can provide a jumping off point to select a theme for your party. A good investment if you want to have a series of parties with your friends.

New Prices From :- $3.00 (last updated 25/08/2010@16:08:15)

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Product Description
iDe Long’s WINE TASTING NOTEBOOK/i is a simple, inexpensive yet elegant way to “hit the ground running” and learn about wine. It also makes a thoughtful gift for all wine lovers. BR A CONCISE LEARNING TOOL IN THREE PARTS: BR1. The iWine Tasting Notebook/i puts the repetitive parts of a note in convenient multiple choice for pros as well as acting as training wheels for beginners BR2. iWine Tasting Terms/i helps build your wine tasting vocabulary with 216 popular terms explained in brief. Includes practical details on identifying wine faults. BR3. iHow to Take a Wine Tasting Note/i walks you through the fundamentals of wine tasting. Wine is a complicated subject but the basic principles of wine tasting are not. BR* Elegant black cover with gold embossing slips easily into a coat pocket or purse. BR* Sewn binding lays flat for comfortable writing. BR* Water resistant wine tasting guide including WINE TASTING TERMS and HOW TO TAKE A WINE NOTE stores inside back cover. BRBRbThe Smart Way to Learn About Wine Tasting/b

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Michael S. Wallack (Carmel, Indiana, USA)

Great forms, but is it practical

The first part of this little book is a discussion of wine tasting linked to the forms that make up the bulk of the book. While the discussion is intersting and may be useful to someone with very little knowledge of wine, there are other, better books for the purpose of helping a wine drinker learn to taste and appreciate.br /br /The bulk of the book is made up of blank tasting forms. These forms are among the best that I’ve seen to help a wine drinker really reflect on and capture thoughts on a particular wine. In terms of the layout of the forms and the information presented (or requested), this book succeeds admirably. However, I have to question the practicaility of the book. While these forms may work for a wine tasting in the home, how many people are going to carry the form with them, let alone carry the whole book? As we’ve moved to more digital-based lives (hello, iPhone), I’m afraid that carrying a wine-tasting form or a book of forms may be a bit … um … 20th Century? That said, if these forms were offered in an iPhone application, I would probably be very quick to buy that app.br /br /Finally, at the end of the book are a series of simple tasting terms broken down by large categories and with references to wine to which the terms might apply. At first, I sort of brushed these pages aside, but upon greater reflection, I realized that they are a very important part of the book and can be very useful to help a wine drinker begin to accumulate a vocabulary to use to describe wines. These pages are a sort of underappreciated gem hidden in the back of the book.br /br /So, while I think highly of the forms and the tasting terms (less so the introduction), I’m just not sure that in the era of smartphones this book is terribly practical. I’d rate the forms themselves and the tasting terms with 5 stars, but the difficulty in actually “using” the book forces me to subtract from this rating. If you only want to taste wines at home or don’t mind carrying this small book with you, then this book might be a good purchase. If you’re new to wine and don’t mind carrying the book, then this may be an absolute “must buy”.

Reviewed by :-

B. Rabenberg (Rio Rancho, New Mexico United States)

Wonderful book

I researched several wine tasting note ‘book’s and after reading reviews and seeing how this was laid out and it’s size I chose this one. It’s really great. I’ve been tasting and drinking wine for over 20yrs and it just never occurred to me to keep tasting notes. Now I wish I had notes on all of the ones I’ve had over the years because it’s fun, it helps tune your palate and helps you keep track of your favorites as well as letting you compare vintages easier. I definitely recommend this book for wine festivals, informal tastings. winery tastings and for whenever you open a new bottle at home!

Reviewed by :-

Robert E. Gants (South Carolina)

De Longs Wine Tasting Notebook is great.

I’ve been using wine tasting notebooks for a few years, and Steve DeLong’s is the best compact note book I’ve seen. Its small enough to carry in a pocket, yet each page has plenty of room for your comments. Because of each page’s structure even the novice wine taster will find it simple to review and rate wines as they taste them. The notebook even includes a heavy glossy paper guide to wine tasting terms that provide a wonderful quick course in wine tasting for the neophyte taster, and a great reference source for those who have been tasting and comparing wines for some time. And its is sturdily constructed so you can shelve it when you complete all the pages and retain it as a reference source for the future. Next time I plan to buy a couple so I have one on hand to give as a gift to a wine loving friend.br /

Reviewed by :-

Vicky Jones ()

Finally a wine diary made for ordinary people!

I’ve used (or tried to use) many different wine diaries. After all, there’s nothing worse that finding that awesome bottle of wine but finding that six months later you can’t remember what it was!Unlike most wine diaries which are either too complex or too basic, Steve De Long has presented us with a diary that strikes a delicate balance between the two. You don’t have to be an expert to use this little gem. It includes a laminated insert that down the catagories and explains them in simple layman’s language. If you’re new to the wine world and don’t know what you’re looking for with “finish” or “body”, this little guide will explain it in terms you can understand. More advanced? This diary gives you the opportunity to rate a wine on all levels with as much detail as you like. Everything from the color hue through to the level of tannins. Looking for a wine that has a particular trait that you find applealing? The backside of the insert gives examples of wines that you might like to try. Remember, wine is subjective. What you like in a wine may not be what the expert in the wine magazine recommends. With a little time this little diary will help you pinpoint exactly what it is about wine you find appealing, thus making your journey more fun and more productive. After all, life is too short to drink bad wine!

Reviewed by :-

Tina Ho (Sunny SoCal, USA)

In the moment with wine!

The DeLong Wine Tasting Notebook makes it easy to enjoy your wine and remember it too. A simple and slim design makes it easy to carry around in a jacket pocket or purse. The one page layout guides both novices and experienced wine connoisseurs through the “taste” process. And, the bonus laminated guide to wine tasting terms and “how to take a wine tasting note” is fabulous! It reinforces everything one learns in those expensive wine classes.br /br /Now if only I had found this product 15 years ago, I wouldn’t have cases and cases of empty wine bottles stacked up in my garage today with no specific memories of any of them! I write in my book all the time!

New Prices From :- $8.76 (last updated 25/08/2010@16:08:15)

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