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Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide
JAMES BEARD AWARD WINNERThe expanded wine guide from the creators of Wine Folly, packed with new information for devotees and newbies alike.Wine Folly became a sensation for its inventive, easy-to-digest approach to learning about wine. Now in a new, expanded hardcover edition, Wine Magnum Edition is the perfect guide for anyone looking to take his or her wine knowledge to the next level. Wine Magnum Edition than 100 grapes and wines color-coded by style so you can easily find new wines you'll love;a wine region explorer with detailed maps of the top wine regions, as well as up-and-coming areas such as Greece and Hungary;wine labeling and classification 101 for wine countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Austria;an expanded food and wine pairing section;a primer on acidity and tannin--so you can taste wine like a pro;more essential tips to help you cut through the complexity of the wine world and become an expert.Wine Magnum Edition is the must-have book for the millions of fans of Wine Folly and for any budding oenophile who wants to boost his or her wine knowledge in a practical and fun way. It's the ultimate gift for any wine lover.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2018
1004 people are currently reading
2542 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
February 19, 2019
I received this book as a Valentine’s Day gift. It’s a really fun book that explores every type of wine. Excited to get to my wine store and try some new things!
February 5, 2019
Useless rehash of previous book
Had hoped that this book would show a bit of maturing by the authors but there's a lot of the same, incorrect information carried over from the previous book and website. Just "borrows" its info from much better books and tries to package it in a "fun" format. Quite worrisome book really in that if people learn basics from this book, much will be wrong. Lost opportunity here.
Had hoped that this book would show a bit of maturing by the authors but there's a lot of the same, incorrect information carried over from the previous book and website. Just "borrows" its info from much better books and tries to package it in a "fun" format. Quite worrisome book really in that if people learn basics from this book, much will be wrong. Lost opportunity here.
June 27, 2022
A fascinating all-color and graphically-pleasing hardcover book that acts as a fascinating introductory manual to the complex world of wine. It breaks down wines by various types and then by major wine-producing regions of the world. The descriptions of flavors are incredibly evocative. There is a great deal of advice on pairings as well. This is a book that will not only be handy for me as a writer, but as a cook as I explore more wines.
December 15, 2024
5 stars!
Not only is this an amazing, strikingly beautiful, coffee table book, as many mentioned, but also a very informative guide to wine! I read this before I stated the WSET course and it prepared me more than I could have known! I will reference this book for ages!
Not only is this an amazing, strikingly beautiful, coffee table book, as many mentioned, but also a very informative guide to wine! I read this before I stated the WSET course and it prepared me more than I could have known! I will reference this book for ages!
December 7, 2018
Very concise and useful. It was also nice to see the charts and made wine very easy to understand
April 11, 2024
Suuuuuuch a good coffee table book for someone wanting to get into wine. Written in such a plain way that someone with little knowledge could understand. Totally would recommend if you are looking to advance your wine knowledge!
March 12, 2019
Beautiful and Good reference book.
December 5, 2025
Wine Folly ist eines der zugänglichsten und zugleich schönsten Bücher über Wein, die ich gelesen habe. Die Struktur ist klar und einfach, alles wird in gut verständlichen Schritten erklärt. Von der Herstellung über die wichtigsten Rebsorten bis hin zu dem, was im Glas passiert.
Gerade für Menschen, die noch nicht viel Erfahrung mit Wein haben, ist dieses Buch ein perfekter Einstieg. Die Grafiken sind übersichtlich, die Erklärungen präzise und die Gestaltung lädt sofort dazu ein, selbst zu probieren und Neues zu entdecken.
Wine Folly ist kein Buch, das man ein einziges Mal liest. Es ist ein Nachschlagewerk, das man immer wieder zur Hand nimmt. Besonders die Übersicht über die wichtigsten Trauben und Regionen macht Spaß, vor allem wenn man währenddessen ein Glas Wein danebenstehen hat.
Ein wunderbares Buch, vielseitig, informativ und voller Entdeckungen. Für Anfänger und Fortgeschrittene gleichermaßen eine klare Empfehlung.
Gerade für Menschen, die noch nicht viel Erfahrung mit Wein haben, ist dieses Buch ein perfekter Einstieg. Die Grafiken sind übersichtlich, die Erklärungen präzise und die Gestaltung lädt sofort dazu ein, selbst zu probieren und Neues zu entdecken.
Wine Folly ist kein Buch, das man ein einziges Mal liest. Es ist ein Nachschlagewerk, das man immer wieder zur Hand nimmt. Besonders die Übersicht über die wichtigsten Trauben und Regionen macht Spaß, vor allem wenn man währenddessen ein Glas Wein danebenstehen hat.
Ein wunderbares Buch, vielseitig, informativ und voller Entdeckungen. Für Anfänger und Fortgeschrittene gleichermaßen eine klare Empfehlung.
March 26, 2023
This book feels good on the palate! Lush full body (great pages, inks, design), jammy (jam-packed with info), highly quaffable (easy to read), and pairs with everything (something here for everyone, from the casual glass-a-month gal to the budding oenophile)!
Read it cover to cover, or just look up snippets as your interests grow, but if you’re sometimes curious about what you’re drinking, keep it nearby for reference use too.
There’s no snobbery here but it gets 5 stars minus 1, for its near total brush off of the Finger Lakes. The authors give a nod—a barely perceptible one- to our rieslings though, so there’s that.
Read it cover to cover, or just look up snippets as your interests grow, but if you’re sometimes curious about what you’re drinking, keep it nearby for reference use too.
There’s no snobbery here but it gets 5 stars minus 1, for its near total brush off of the Finger Lakes. The authors give a nod—a barely perceptible one- to our rieslings though, so there’s that.
September 29, 2025
Amazing informative book if you’re curious about wines and how they grow, how you can taste them and what types and characteristics there are! Nice visuals and distinctions between areas, grapes and productions.
March 8, 2021
What a beautiful book - definitely 5 stars to the design.
This is a fun, concise, and useful book for the wine amateurs out there.
This is a fun, concise, and useful book for the wine amateurs out there.
May 23, 2022
A little bit more of a technical read. This is the book to buy if you’re REALLY looking to nerd out over wine, which I was. Especially great for its insights into food pairings.
January 9, 2025
Fun, easy, colorful. Great intro to the rabbit hole that is wine
February 28, 2020
Great wine reference. The website and the videos are also great to check out.
February 26, 2024
Perfect for beginners. So many pictures! Love the charts. Very applicable
December 25, 2018
A crisply produced, full-color introduction to the world of wine, Puckette's super accessible guide offers both fun factoids for the more experienced wine nerd and a solid reference for newbies. Sections on how to assess color, aroma, and taste break down the old school wine sampling rituals to a simple method for diving into the experience, and a couple of brief pages on etiquette give a social head's up to folks that weren't raised with all this. These topics are technically correct without getting too technical, and the book breezily moves along to the next concept after making concise points. Since wine is typically labeled and sold by 2 different systems - grape variety or country/region of origin - the bulk of the book is devoted to a section for each of these. Each grape type gets a graphically organized one-sheet outlining flavor profile, what types of wines are typically made with it, and areas that grow it. Each wine growing country gets a map showing typically labeled regions, notes on the general style of wines produced there, and a few types of wines to try out. Not a single brand or specific winery is mentioned, so it all feels educational rather than commercial. Wine Folly is by no means an exhaustive reference, but nicely covers the bases for most any non-professional wine enthusiast... and provides links and books in the afterward if you need more.
November 28, 2021
Fantastic guide to wines. Where they come from and what to eat with them.
October 19, 2020
While not knowing anymore what to do with my time during the harsh months of the coronavirus-lockdown, I decided to get me a new hobby. I'd always been attracted by enology and sommelerie, but never had the time nor the budget to begin to learn and taste properly, with a more focused aim. And there I was, entering an almost completely unknown field to me, training my tasting skills, learning French, learning words in different languages for the same grape or the same concept, trying not to get drunk with wine everyday. I couldn't say I could find a better and more accesible introduction to the wine world than Madeline Puckette's Wine Folly: it's accesible to the layman and, most important of all, its style hints at the passion with which Puckette treats her subject matter. The layout is just the perfect didactization for the myriads of information one must get acquainted with if something serious is to get out of this hobby, and every chapter provides just the right contents to get a sufficient overview on the most important regions, grapes and wine types; extra helpful are the bibliographical recommendations at the end of the Magnum Edition. One of the few details I'd revise are some mistaken phonetic reproductions of the names of some wines and regions, specially when it comes to German and Spanish names, which could sound extremely ridiculous if heard by a native speaker or someone knowledgeable. But, all in all, we're talking about one of the finest introductions to the field.
April 2, 2025
Love the visuals of presenting wines by varietal and by region.
I want to go through it again, slowly, drinking the wines featured to really learn them.
No real mention of brands nor people.
p. 25: Instead of "legs" or "tears", use "Gibbs-Marangoni Effect": https://www.comsol.com/multiphysics/m...
p. 35: https://shop.winefolly.com/en-ca/coll...
p. 39: Aerator
p. 304: Further Reading
The Wine Bible
Italian Wines 2020
Halliday Wine Companion 2021: The bestselling and definitive guide to Australian wine
Wine Grapes: A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours
Native Wine Grapes of Italy
Wine Atlas of Germany
I want to go through it again, slowly, drinking the wines featured to really learn them.
No real mention of brands nor people.
p. 25: Instead of "legs" or "tears", use "Gibbs-Marangoni Effect": https://www.comsol.com/multiphysics/m...
p. 35: https://shop.winefolly.com/en-ca/coll...
p. 39: Aerator
p. 304: Further Reading
The Wine Bible
Italian Wines 2020
Halliday Wine Companion 2021: The bestselling and definitive guide to Australian wine
Wine Grapes: A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours
Native Wine Grapes of Italy
Wine Atlas of Germany
March 17, 2021
Alright book as a reference. Easy to follow and to start your wine exploration.
Riddled with ridiculous and unfounded, albeit often-repeated, cliches about the wine's 'terroir'. One of the peak absurdities is how the author describes Albariño as “one of the most delightfully refreshing whites from the Iberian Peninsula. It’s found in cooler areas, close to the sea, which is how it gains its salty flavors.”
No. Wine doesn't taste 'salty' because the 'terroir' is close to the sea. Also, grapes and wine do not taste 'mineral' and 'dusty' because the soil is 'volcanic' (on Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley), or crisp and 'mineral-driven' because the soil is chalky (on Chablis Chardonnay). It's surprising how such outdated, unfounded anecdotes are still alive and well.
To be fair, the terroir (as in, compassing of the soil nutrients, water drainage capacity, the aerial environment, sunlight, and most importantly, the bacteria and yeasts/fungi) is important in determining the wine's (or coffee's, for that matter) flavours. But reducing such complex and under-explored topics to ridiculous nonsense such as 'wine taste salty because the grapes are grown near the sea' is just not only plainly false, but also blasphemous and utterly shallow.
Riddled with ridiculous and unfounded, albeit often-repeated, cliches about the wine's 'terroir'. One of the peak absurdities is how the author describes Albariño as “one of the most delightfully refreshing whites from the Iberian Peninsula. It’s found in cooler areas, close to the sea, which is how it gains its salty flavors.”
No. Wine doesn't taste 'salty' because the 'terroir' is close to the sea. Also, grapes and wine do not taste 'mineral' and 'dusty' because the soil is 'volcanic' (on Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley), or crisp and 'mineral-driven' because the soil is chalky (on Chablis Chardonnay). It's surprising how such outdated, unfounded anecdotes are still alive and well.
To be fair, the terroir (as in, compassing of the soil nutrients, water drainage capacity, the aerial environment, sunlight, and most importantly, the bacteria and yeasts/fungi) is important in determining the wine's (or coffee's, for that matter) flavours. But reducing such complex and under-explored topics to ridiculous nonsense such as 'wine taste salty because the grapes are grown near the sea' is just not only plainly false, but also blasphemous and utterly shallow.
June 19, 2021
This a great “reference” type book for those who want to learn a bit more about wine. This book makes wine approachable and easy to understand with straight to the point explanations and abundance of really cool visual tools (charts, diagrams, etc).
There are some discrepancies in the book in the grape characteristics section. Even in different Wine Folly resources the same wine is described differently. It is normal to some extent because it is not a strict science, however some sweetness, tannin and other profile indication can be a bit misleading. But you’ll start noticing it when you are already on the advanced level.
For the beginners to intermediate wine enthusiast this book is a gem to have structured approach to wine learning, something to go back to for a quick self-check or “compare the notes” with.
The book covers all the aspects of the wine that a wine lover would need to get into wine and start understanding it better.
It is beautifully made from the visual standpoint: illustrations are fantastic. This book is a pleasure to hold, read, skim through every now and then and keep it on your coffee table.
Definitely a great gift for a wine lover or to one-self.
A lot of work and passion went into creating this book. No wonder it is a bestseller
There are some discrepancies in the book in the grape characteristics section. Even in different Wine Folly resources the same wine is described differently. It is normal to some extent because it is not a strict science, however some sweetness, tannin and other profile indication can be a bit misleading. But you’ll start noticing it when you are already on the advanced level.
For the beginners to intermediate wine enthusiast this book is a gem to have structured approach to wine learning, something to go back to for a quick self-check or “compare the notes” with.
The book covers all the aspects of the wine that a wine lover would need to get into wine and start understanding it better.
It is beautifully made from the visual standpoint: illustrations are fantastic. This book is a pleasure to hold, read, skim through every now and then and keep it on your coffee table.
Definitely a great gift for a wine lover or to one-self.
A lot of work and passion went into creating this book. No wonder it is a bestseller
June 14, 2020
The first part of the book is basically a guide to wine tasting and is an excellent introduction to terminology used by wine aficionados, identifying characteristics of wine, and a high level overview of the wine making process.
The latter part, which seems to take up most of the book, is basically an encyclopedic reference of different wine varietals and regions. This would be fine if it could really stand alone as its own reference. However, descriptions are often too light to give a good idea of what the wine tastes like and range of different options. Also disappointing that there was no thematic connection between the different wines presented. It’s just a collection of facts that you have effectively no chance of remembering. Would have been useful to have, for example, groupings of different wine characteristics by varietal, region, high-level weather patterns, etc. Ultimately, if you just expect to use this part as a brief reference for wines you encounter, you’ll probably be happy. If you want to learn more about “how” wines work, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
The latter part, which seems to take up most of the book, is basically an encyclopedic reference of different wine varietals and regions. This would be fine if it could really stand alone as its own reference. However, descriptions are often too light to give a good idea of what the wine tastes like and range of different options. Also disappointing that there was no thematic connection between the different wines presented. It’s just a collection of facts that you have effectively no chance of remembering. Would have been useful to have, for example, groupings of different wine characteristics by varietal, region, high-level weather patterns, etc. Ultimately, if you just expect to use this part as a brief reference for wines you encounter, you’ll probably be happy. If you want to learn more about “how” wines work, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
August 7, 2023
This book should be considered both a general introduction to wine and a shelf reference to the characteristics of the major grapes and wine-growing regions of the world. The graphics are excellent. Books on wine often provide a lot of detail and similes, starting from a level of discernment beyond ordinary mortals. Can I tell the difference between black plum and roasted plum? Wine Folly develops a conceptual framework for each attribute of wine such as color, sweetness and acidity. In particular, flavors and aromas are given a hierarchy, which makes it easy to evolve my slowly developing ability to discriminate among them. This conceptual framework is then used consistently throughout the reference section of the book. I consider it a must-have for anyone with a little experience and a desire to better appreciate wine. My only quibble, is that I wish there was more coverage of US wine regions beyond the West Coast, such as New York.
March 30, 2022
An entire Wine 101 and 201 course in attractive and easy-to-follow graphic descriptions. For those who are looking to break the Cabernet/Merlot/Chardonnay bonds, this book teaches how to taste wine, how to read a label, how to order a glass or bottle with confidence. The book provides pairing suggestions but also touches upon "why." As you read the maps, you'll notice what the left and right banks of the Bordeaux regions are and which side is better known for Merlot and for which Cab is king. You'll also know, at a glance, that Mendoza and Marlborough rule Argentina and New Zealand respectively, with Malbec and Sauvignon Blanc leading the respective regions, but you'll also see how common Syrah is in each country and where to find it.
Pull up a glass of something new and let Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack guide you on your exploration.
Pull up a glass of something new and let Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack guide you on your exploration.
July 12, 2022
The only wine book you’ll ever need
I never knew anything about wine. There were so many terms that were thrown around: tannins, acidity, Chardonnay, Pinot etc.
Restaurants would talk about the various notes that one would find in a wine including chocolate, green apple, plum. But whenever I would taste them, it tasted like…wine.
Wine Folly is great because it’s a no-nonsense reference book that explains how wine is made, what to look for in specific wines, and details various wine regions of the world.
The world of wines has been demystified because of this book. I now know how to spot notes while tasting and what wine to serve with a meal.
This is a good book to have to be able to reference before you crack open that next bottle. And it makes for a useful when traveling to a country where wine is produced so you know what to look for.
I never knew anything about wine. There were so many terms that were thrown around: tannins, acidity, Chardonnay, Pinot etc.
Restaurants would talk about the various notes that one would find in a wine including chocolate, green apple, plum. But whenever I would taste them, it tasted like…wine.
Wine Folly is great because it’s a no-nonsense reference book that explains how wine is made, what to look for in specific wines, and details various wine regions of the world.
The world of wines has been demystified because of this book. I now know how to spot notes while tasting and what wine to serve with a meal.
This is a good book to have to be able to reference before you crack open that next bottle. And it makes for a useful when traveling to a country where wine is produced so you know what to look for.
December 30, 2021
Az olvasást csupán a korgó gyomor és az állandóan kiszáradó száj akadályozhatja meg. Remek összeállítás és jó ötlet az infografikával szemléltetett ismeretanyag. Sok érdekesség a világ minden tájáról. Izgalmas részletek a borokról, fűszerezve a bort készítő nemzetekről, helyi szokásokról. Ami nekem hiányzott: több képi infó a szőlőről, amiből ez a csodás ital készül. Szívesen láttam volna a gyümölcsöt (szőlőfürt) és a növényt (szőlőtőke) is a könyvben. Minden tisztelet a fordítónak, aki derekasan megküzdött a kifejezések és a földrajzi nevek toldalékolásával. Néhol további magyarítás azért elkelt volna a laikusok számára.
Készülhet a lista, hogy milyen fajtákat, tájakat és íz-kombinációkat lehetne megkóstolni...
Készülhet a lista, hogy milyen fajtákat, tájakat és íz-kombinációkat lehetne megkóstolni...
March 26, 2020
If enjoying a glass of wine simply isn't good enough and you're curious to know more about the glass of Pinot Noir you're drinking right now!
Then Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine is a particularly great insight into the world of wine.
If used as a reference book rather than a traditional page turner, this book can be very helpful in determining the profile and a basic taste of the wine in question.
Additionally this book covers topics from the very basics through to food and wine and then finally each region of the world capable of growing wine.
This is a perfect first investment into the World of Wine.
Then Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine is a particularly great insight into the world of wine.
If used as a reference book rather than a traditional page turner, this book can be very helpful in determining the profile and a basic taste of the wine in question.
Additionally this book covers topics from the very basics through to food and wine and then finally each region of the world capable of growing wine.
This is a perfect first investment into the World of Wine.
March 3, 2022
My beginning wine connoisseur self, (not that I'm a beginner at drinking wine, I'm a beginner at tasting the wine in ways I never have before), loves this book. I'm so glad I own this book, as I refer to it often in my explorations and tastings of all of the different wines. Who knew there were so many? I didn't know much past Red, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Grigio, before I began my journey about a year ago. My how my palette has grown since then! So much fun...I'm not just drinking anymore...I'm learning as I drink as well....lots and lots of wine history to be learned, and so many wines that go with that to learn about.
January 25, 2023
A fantastic in-depth guide to wines, wine making, and the regions they grow. This book is comprehensive and easy to understand (which is good considering how confusing the wine world can be to beginners). A large portion of the book is devoted to different varietals, their tasting notes, and where the grapes come from. There is then a map of various countries, many of which are broken down into specific regions that highlight the wines they are best known for. My first book about wine, but undoubtedly will not be my last. And without question, one of the best and most thoughtful gifts I have ever received. If you love wine or want to learn more, this is a great place to start.
September 8, 2020
LOVE IT. Found the prior edition excellent as well. This builds on it nicely. The use of infographics, color charts, and easily understood descriptions make this a great resource for the learning or learned wine lover. They found the sweet spot for offering great and complex information in a very easily understood format. Also, you can pop in and out of sections with ease, take their tasting tests to find out what wine you really like (and why-if you are interested). Both the Kindle and printed versions are gorgeous.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews