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The New Short Course in Wine
It's no surprise that every year, more Americans are discovering the pleasures of wine. Many of these new enthusiasts will be the first ones in their families to be wine-lovers and so they will have thousands of questions about wine. They will be in the position of recent immigrants in a strange and fabulous country. There are new words, strange customs and a bewildering variety of choices. The New Short Course in Wine is their guidebook. This is a book about the history, the science, the business and the pleasure of wine. It assumes that the reader is smart and curious. It is a first book for aspiring professionals in the hospitality business and it may be the right book for everybody else. It is not a book for Compete Idiots, but it might be the book for people who are tired of being treated like Dummies. The New Short Course in Wine assumes that along with learning about wine, readers want to have fun with it. The simple fact is that pleasure is good for it's a vitamin for the soul. Refined pleasures are better they engage your brain and tend, on the whole, to become more delightful as the years go on. What is claimed for virtue is more truly said of they are their own reward. Taste Readers learn about the fun and excitement of wine and then learn about the history, typologies and winemaking. Author steers clear of lists (wine brands, distributors, drinks) and focuses on practical information to aid the learner in general wine knowledge. Conversation writing style! This book is intended for new connoisseurs, as well as "aged" aficionados of wine, who are seeking an understanding and deeper appreciation of the culture and context of the most civilized and important libation. Individuals seeking to understand the concept of creating this powerful beverage, as well as the symbolism behind its creation will find this book helpful.
- GenresNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2006
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4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 4, 2007
FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT WINE TODAY, BUT WOULD LIKE TO TOMORROW
A work of art - as "The New Short Course in Wine" most assuredly is - deserves to be reviewed by just the right person, one who with a half dozen deft sentences can capture the essence and convey it.
Until then, see if these six will hold you:
Lynn Hoffman is worldly and his background in Anthropology much in evidence. Hardly a paragraph of "The New Course in Wine" passes without a pearl of wisdom or droll observation aimed at our cultural condition. His knowledge of what has gone before brightens and enhances our understanding of the subject, and like the best wines, "The New Course in Wine" lives on more than one level. As a general observation, I just love the view of life presented here and the part wine did, and would again play if we'd only relax a little. This would be a wonderful addition to any curriculum hoping to produce well rounded individuals. Should be required reading for anyone about to celebrate their 21st birthday.
Art Tirrell is the author of "The Secret Ever Keeps", and underwater adventure set on Lake Ontario.
A work of art - as "The New Short Course in Wine" most assuredly is - deserves to be reviewed by just the right person, one who with a half dozen deft sentences can capture the essence and convey it.
Until then, see if these six will hold you:
Lynn Hoffman is worldly and his background in Anthropology much in evidence. Hardly a paragraph of "The New Course in Wine" passes without a pearl of wisdom or droll observation aimed at our cultural condition. His knowledge of what has gone before brightens and enhances our understanding of the subject, and like the best wines, "The New Course in Wine" lives on more than one level. As a general observation, I just love the view of life presented here and the part wine did, and would again play if we'd only relax a little. This would be a wonderful addition to any curriculum hoping to produce well rounded individuals. Should be required reading for anyone about to celebrate their 21st birthday.
Art Tirrell is the author of "The Secret Ever Keeps", and underwater adventure set on Lake Ontario.
December 16, 2007
Hi. I wrote this book because I taught a course in wine for people studying hospitality management. They were usually college-age and many of them had no experience with wine at home. It was important that they have a working familiarity with the subject as they entered a world where people at the top tended to be very sophisticated about wine.
So the course was a high-speed finishing school in wine. The goal was something like sophistication and it had to be done quickly-ten weeks in this case.
There was no book that did the job, so I looked at what I considered to be the core bits of knowledge and experience that went into a person's becoming wine savvy.
This book is the result. I think it might make a great gift for any wine-lover. It would also be the perfect present for the beginner or moderately experienced taster who would like to know more.
If you should get or give a copy this holiday season, please let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Lynn
So the course was a high-speed finishing school in wine. The goal was something like sophistication and it had to be done quickly-ten weeks in this case.
There was no book that did the job, so I looked at what I considered to be the core bits of knowledge and experience that went into a person's becoming wine savvy.
This book is the result. I think it might make a great gift for any wine-lover. It would also be the perfect present for the beginner or moderately experienced taster who would like to know more.
If you should get or give a copy this holiday season, please let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Lynn
December 7, 2007
Enjoyed this book, even though I didn't get to spend as much time as I really wanted to (library book). But I still got a good overview of wine varieties and some other info about my favorite beverage that I didn't know before. I think if I'd read from start to finish, I'd be very well versed and have a more sophisticated palate.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews