just starting out....what to read first

[spudman]

I'd like to become more knowledgable regarding wines and just have some basic knowledge. Any suggestion on any publications to buy to get a basic understanding of wines? I have one the Wine for Dummies book but thought that there might be something better out there...

Any suggestions?

thanks

[Innkeeper]

Hi Spudman, and welcome to the Wine Board. "Wine For Dummies" is an excellent starter book. Another approach is taken by Andrea Immer in her book "Great Wine Made Simple." There is a good deal right now on Amazon where you can get it and her newest tome "2004 Wine Buying Guide for Everyone", at a very attractive combined price.

[Skeeter]

Here's a book I picked up from a library recently and liked... "Red and White", by Aussie wine writer Max Allen. Nice relaxed style... real 'Wine tasting in shorts and t-shirt" kind of thing.

Meanwhile, I nearly tossed a book by Malcom Gluck against the wall for his amazing ability to advise against wine snobbery in one breath, then turn into the worst kind of prentious wanker in the next. (This guy likes to smell the glassware before pouring, in case his uber-sensitive sniffer gets put off by too much detergent, for instance. Give me a break, malcom...)

[Drew]

Don't laugh Skeeter, but I do the same. We have a bunch of everyday wine glasses that sometime find their way into the dishwasher which sometimes imparts a soapy/chemical aroma to the glass. When this is the case I rinse, rinse, rinse. (Nose not up in the air, though [img]http://38.118.142.245/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img])

Drew

[sedhead]

I enjoyed the "Grapes of Ralph". I thought it was informative and irreverant just like it's says on the inside cover.

[spudman]

Thank you all for all the tips on books to read for the wine novice...!