Vignette: Stories Of Life And Wine In 100 Bottles

by Jane Lopes

Sometimes we just want someone to hand us a bottle of wine. Sometimes we want to learn more about that wine. And sometimes we want to feel something about wine.

In  Vignette , sommelier Jane Lopes recommends the 100 bottles of wine (and some spirits and beers) to best expand your wine journey, giving you a complete palate education of the important styles, grapes, regions, and flavors of this magical and ever-growing world. Alongside that, you will find imaginative ways to engage with the foundational wine knowledge that underpins a good drinking experience. And then there is Jane's own narrative – the stories of triumph and defeat that comprise her life in wine. It's part memoir and part wine book, but a lot more fun than either alone.

These are wines to live with, learn from and take solace in – a joyous, surprising, and revelatory response to that age-old question, "What should I drink?"

Genres: Wine, Food and Drink, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

Published September 17, 2019

Reviews

[Jeannie Boutelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start with this book.... You will be happy when you read this book. This is one of those books, its title gives it away "Vignette", it is a book that you never stop reading. It is full of short bursts of information on wines, liquors and life. I am delighted that I bought this book because it is a fun wine book. Some wine books are more text book or encyclopedia-like due to the nature of the material. This book is factual, helpful, there is a story (her life, the story of her relationship to her now husband who is a somm, a Master Somm as well) and whimsical and fun! I am a visual person and she has included tons of pictures, comic strips, a puzzle (maybe there are more puzzles, I have found one), playlists for certain amari. This book has many layers like a good glass of wine. For full disclosure I have not finished "reading" it, I have read parts and will continue to read parts. But there is an underlying story about her path to the Master Somm exam and the path of her romance and marriage. So there is a life story as well. But this is a wine book that is good for anyone, wine novice to master somm because as I said the whimsy and fun of this book, makes it a fantastic ongoing read. In this day and age of short attention spans, it is designed for small gulps. You will find some ideas on wines, on spirits, on life. I look forward to continuing to "read" this book. Like a good cookbook that you constantly go back to, this book you will constantly turn to wine advice. But now I want to read her underlying story that is woven into this book (Master Somm, Marriage, Chicago to Australia, book) and I want to finish that puzzle!

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book cannot be easily categorized. It's quirky - partly wine education, partly the author's experience in the wine world as well as her personal life journey. Often poignant, occasionally hilarious, sometimes painful to read, Vignette gives us a candid window into Jane Lopes' soul. Lopes does not shy away from revealing humiliating moments, ongoing and debilitating health issues or the high level of dedication and sacrifice required for anyone striving to become a Master Sommelier. Her writing is honest, endearing and relatable, and she imparts tons of great beverage tidbits along the way (liquor is frequently addressed), including a very helpful glossary of terms. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Lopes several years ago when she was working at Attica in Melbourne, and though I fan girled out in an embarrassing way, she immediately put me at ease with her quiet, humble reaction and professional helpfulness. Her book is a unique read for wine or biography lovers.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Multi layered book telling the personal life of Jane Lopes, a Master Sommelier, her path to the Court of Sommelier exam (known as the most difficult exam in the world) whilst also providing insights and a “world” tour of wines, some rather unexpected: Eastern Europe wines, alpine wines, Greek wines, Eaux de vie... great visuals and graphs to understand the basics around each of the wines presented in the book
A great read and will go back to it for references. As a bonus it also has 100 value wines as an appendix

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the oddest books I’ve encountered, and not in a good way. I’d think pairing memoir with wine would be right up my alley, but not in this case. Banal look at the author’s anxiety about her anxieties, dysfunctional relationship with her boyfriend, her klonopin addiction and name-droppy work life, all chronicled under varying chapters loosely focused on different varietals of wine. Confused by the inclusion of chapters on rum, scotch, etc., in a book about wine. Better title might have been “Why I Drink a Lot.” Nice illustrations by Robin Cowcher, though.

[Meaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've worked in the wine industry for 5 years, and absolutely adored this book. There's such a fun and genuine tone to the writing which is unburdened by the typical wank-factor of traditional wine literature. If you're new to wine and looking for a comprehensive introduction to wine as a whole, this may not be it. However, as Pascaline Lepeltier wrote, it "makes the reader realize that wine is a beautiful window to the world." Delightful.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a primer on ways to approach wine, it offered insights that I hadn't found elsewhere, and some specifics on bottles, regions, and producers that really set the book apart. 4 stars.

As a memoir, it was almost unreadable. I cringed through the middle of the book and found the last quarter insufferable. I'll keep it for the lists and the graphics, and never read the titular vignettes ever again.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did learn new information about the Sommelier's testing process. I did learn new and fascinating information about wine and the business of wine. But I learned way more than belonged in a book like this about the author's banal dating life/sexual mistakes...and health problems-a separate book is called for.

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

The multilayered approach (memoir, wine book and wine reference/puzzles) is fun. The story is told in a plain spoken and breezy way that lacks depth or insight, but is a fun way to explore wine and is also a nice introduction to the life of wine.

[Kerwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title tells you what to expect and it delivers. I reach for it when I have 10 minutes to spare inbetween movies.

[Iona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too pretty to be a bedside table book, too informative to be a coffee table book.