The One Minute Wine Master: Discover 10 Wines You'll Like in 60 Seconds or Less

by Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan

All it takes is a minute to master wine In this fun yet sophisticated guide, world wine authority Jennifer Simonetti shows you how simple it can be to figure out which wines will please your palate. Just take the quick and easy flavor test, and Simonetti will lead you through the thicket of choices and point you to the ones you'll like best. No fuss, no memorization, and no fancy language required

Genres: Wine, Nonfiction, Food

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Checked out as an E-Book from my local library. This is how I discovered I was a "Fall" as well as my new-found love of Chardonnays! Easy to read, informative, and different from most other books on wine preference (This book has a "quiz" that looks at factors such as coffee and juice preference, food spiciness, and other things that may correlate to your preference in wine). My only reservation is that many of the specific recommendations of wines to try were expensive and hard to find...thankfully, I learned enough about my preferences that I was able to go to a local wine store and speak to an expert who made recommendations within my price range.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read and informative. I took it to my wine club, did the test and we decided it was fairly accurate for us all. Useful to have the author describe the rationale behind each of the test questions and enjoyed her description of each varietal, along with the pronunciations! Especially useful for those wishing to expand their experience without any intimidation. I think along with a bottle of wine this would make a great gift.

[Salsabrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is aimed at wine neophytes, I picked up some new info, especially about my preferences as indicated by the author's one-minute wine master quizzes. Based on the quiz results, you are classified as one of the four seasons (winters like tannic, spicy wines; springs prefer light and fruity, etc.). It's an approachable and friendly introduction to wine appreciation, worth taking a look if you have no idea where to start. BTW, I am a fall. :)

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This SEEMS like an informative book, but unfortunately it's lost on a teetotaller... not for any idealistic or recovering alcoholic reasons, but just because it never seemed like something to blow my money on. (I can drink all the water I want and save my wine money to get more BOOKS!) I do also admit the handful of times I've had access to and tried free wine, it very likely wasn't what suited my taste, as per the quiz(zes?*), since I... appear to be a "summer"?

The main problem is, I can't verify if this is in fact correct without going out and... buying wine. And I just don't really have any incentive to go out and test the answers, particularly when we haven't eaten in a restaurant in a very long time (thanks, COVID!), and I am always hesitant to buy an entire bottle/box/case of a thing just to taste, especially if it's large/expensive. This book would likely be very helpful at wine tastings, but—again—I've had no interest in going to one. I'm pretty sure with all the health problems I have, too, my doctor would advise against bothering.

Nice quality book, definitely has had a lot of thought and work put into it... just not my jam.

*There are "three additional quizzes" in the back of the book, but they appear to be identical as far as I can tell. Were these meant to be physically written on and graded, rather than the more sensible option of keeping score on scratch paper/in one's head? I don't understand it otherwise. Like, why ruin your book unless it's specifically disposable, like a colouring or crossword puzzle book? This is a HARDCOVER! Archival quality!! Why deface it if it's not a journal or sketchbook...

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a great introduction to wine and finding and discovering the wines you like or should try. The author does a great job of explaining the basics of wine and how to taste and order wine. Well organized and easy to read. I highly recommend for the beginner wine enthusiast! Cheers!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was informative! The author presented what can be an overwhelming topic in an understandable way.

[Dithsisit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy wine teachings for beginners. The quiz that determines the type of wine that you like is superb.

[Eeculp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative quick wine tasting guide

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall
Chardonnay
Chateau St. Jean Sonoma
Louis Jadot Meursault-Charmes, Premier Cru

Gewurztraminer
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Pinot Gris
Willm Pinot Gris Vin D'Alsace, Alsace France

Carmenere
Terra Andina Carmenere

Tempranillo
Pesquera Ribera del Duero

Sangiovese
Chianti
Barone Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico Italy

Pinotage
Beyer Sklook Reserve Pinotage Stellenbosch, South Africa

Syrah/Shiraz
Guigal Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone Valley, France
Mollydocker The Boxer, Shiraz, South Australia, Australia

Grenache
Garnacha
ONIX Priorat, Spain

Zinfandel
St. Francis Old Kines Zinfandel, Sonoma County, California

Summer
Soave
Tedeschi Soave Classico

Chenin Blanc
Domaine de Vaufuget Vouvray
Foot of Africa Chenin Blanc

Torrontes
Michel Torino Cuma Torrontes

Viognier
Laurent Miquel Nord Sud Viognier
Calera Viognier

Dolcetto
Vietti Dolcetto D'Alba Tre Vigne

Bonarda
Sur de los Andes Bonarda

Monastrell
Casa Castillo Monastrell

Nero D'Avola
Cantine Colosi Nero D'Avola

Cabernet Franc
Chateau Du Hureau Lisagathe
Phillipe et Georges Vatan, Samur-Champigny

Merlot
Frei Brothers Reserve Merlot, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, California

"We all have a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be." Jane Austen

Encyclopedia of Grapes
The World Atlas of Wine
Wine for Dummies
The Oxford Companion to Wine
The Everyday Guide to Wine
The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia
Wine Report
Windows on the World Complete Wine Course

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read that allows you to understand more about wine tasting and what a person will like and enjoy.
I found it very informative and helpful so that I can pick out a wine I will actually like instead of having to dump the bottle down the sink or pawn it off on someone else. I have enjoyed being a wine club member for some time but still did not have a grasp on what it was that I liked and did not like about certain wines. Thanks Jennifer for explaining things so well and so quickly.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wines are divided up into four seasons. After taking the quiz, you tally up your points and find out what season of wines you like. There is a nice section on what wines fall into each season, as well as other background information on wine.

[Kira Dlusskaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice intro for the pretty clueless among us. I feel like I have the vocabulary to actually talk about wine now, which is helpful. A nice quick read, though I bet once you get a bit more into wine, it may seem overly simplistic.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical, concise, organized book that helps take the mystery out of buying wine.

[Lance Rea · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick read. some good intros to wines I've never heard of.