As a wine lover and former Italian wine tasting champ, I am very glad to see a book that strips away the accumulated marketing centered BS around wine purchasing, classification, tasting, and appreciation.
If you read this volume, you will have a working knowledge of the grapes and regions that are associated with wines; the way to taste and describe the differing wines of the world; and a survey of all the names you need to know in order to have an intelligent conversation about wine with your friends and colleagues.
This is not a book about how to pull out corks or swirl you wine in the proper wine glass, but a no nonsense introduction to what is a very very pleasant and satisfying refreshment and certainly one of the triumphs of our western cultural tradition. Don't expect a catalogue of all the wines of the world with extensive tasting commentary, but a way (with exercises) to compare wines with each other and discern their general characteristics.
Wine is not treated as a mystery religion, accessible to only a few Illuminati, but as an inviting beverage that can be enjoyed by all.
Cheers.