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Wine: A Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to know about the fruit of the vine―From A to Zinfandel. If you enjoy wine―but can’t articulate why―you’re not alone! From terroir to global varieties, A Beginner’s Guide breaks down the complex bouquets of winemaking and tasting into ways that are fun and easy to understand. Learn what really makes a cabernet sauvignon red. Taste how it’s possible to detect a hint of leather, chocolate, or even rubber in a single sip. Confidently discuss the subtleties of different types of grapes with the guide that has everything you need to know to grow your love of wine. A Beginner’s Guide Uncork your inner sommelier and sip confidently with A Beginner’s Guide .
160 pages, Paperback
Published January 14, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 6, 2020
This is a fantastic little book for anybody who wants to seriously up their wine game. The author wrote the book after he tried to find a book to assign his class about the topic and couldn't find one with all the information he wanted his students to know. It contains anything you want to know about wine and probably a lot more.
Chapters teach you about types of wine, how wines taste from all different regions in the world, how to properly taste wine, how to properly pair wine with food (need to know what to serve with octopus? you're covered), plus lots more. He even covers basics like how to use a corkscrew to remove old corks likely to break, how to host a wine tasting party, and what kinds of glasses are designed for each kind of wine.
The wines covered in this book tend to be above my pay grade, so to speak. I do like wine and my husband buys me a fun assortment of inexpensive wines periodically, but I also make my own country wines. Country wines are mixed fruit wines, and I use a lot of elderberries, wild plums, rhubarb, bush cherries, etc. that we either grow or forage. I know that elderberries are often added to wines to improve the color, body and tannin levels (and elderberry wine in itself is crazy good), so I was hoping for some information about things like elderberries that can be added. I use a lot of rhubarb since we grow it and also always have tons free from neighbors, and it is also a great base for country wine. I would have loved information on country wines and this kind of thing, but this is strictly about buying "proper" grape wines from proper vineyards. It's extremely thorough information on this, though.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.
Chapters teach you about types of wine, how wines taste from all different regions in the world, how to properly taste wine, how to properly pair wine with food (need to know what to serve with octopus? you're covered), plus lots more. He even covers basics like how to use a corkscrew to remove old corks likely to break, how to host a wine tasting party, and what kinds of glasses are designed for each kind of wine.
The wines covered in this book tend to be above my pay grade, so to speak. I do like wine and my husband buys me a fun assortment of inexpensive wines periodically, but I also make my own country wines. Country wines are mixed fruit wines, and I use a lot of elderberries, wild plums, rhubarb, bush cherries, etc. that we either grow or forage. I know that elderberries are often added to wines to improve the color, body and tannin levels (and elderberry wine in itself is crazy good), so I was hoping for some information about things like elderberries that can be added. I use a lot of rhubarb since we grow it and also always have tons free from neighbors, and it is also a great base for country wine. I would have loved information on country wines and this kind of thing, but this is strictly about buying "proper" grape wines from proper vineyards. It's extremely thorough information on this, though.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.
December 29, 2019
I am from the generation that has been known to sift cork pieces from our wine. Then the openers got better, grew little wings, and the corks came out nicely. Now I proudly have an electric wine opener in my kitchen. My how time flies!
I don’t necessarily want to pretend that I have the knowledge of a sommelier, but I do want to be able to speak socially about wine and sound reasonable, to choose appropriate wines to serve at home, and to be able to converse with a sommelier when I am dining out in a manner where we understand each other. I do feel that Fredrickson accomplishes that with this work.
This is a lovely, 143 page book filled with amazing color photos of vineyards, grapes, the process of fermenting the grapes, gracious glasses of wine, and much more. The book is broken down into chapters on wine and substance, processing wine, tasting wine, pairing wine and food, and so much more.
Fredrickson shares his wisdom on party planning, understanding wine vernacular (so we at least sound like we know what we are talking about!), and finding our way in the world of wine.
This book is meant to bring to its audience a bare minimum of information about wine, and the world of wine. It is down to earth, and meant to make individuals feel comfortable in this world. I am so impressed with it that I am leaving it out on my kitchen counter, taking its place among books on spiralyzing and smoothies!
Of interest to me was that Fredrickson not only talked about the processing of the wine, but about the life cycle of a vineyard, and what goes on there. He talks about the different types of wines, about growing organic wine, the type of information placed on the wine label, and how the different things that make up a wine act to balance each other out. I loved the section on the major styles of wine, and their associated costs. Whether I am in a grocery store, a liquor store, or a wine specialty store, I will know where to look for what I want.
There is a lovely section on wine tasting, that includes the color of the grapes in the different varieties of wine, the different levels of aroma, and the actual tasting (sipping). I do have opportunities near me to go to wine tastings – I may now be emboldened to actually do so!
Wine terminology, and the right glass for the right wine is also addressed. This is followed by an inventory of what a well-equipped wine pantry includes. (I need to do a little shopping here!)
There is a great section of different countries, and the wines they are famous for. This is followed by a listing of different foods (and spices), and the best wines to pair them with.
At the end of the book we have a listing of resources, and an index.
I found this book to be a very nice beginners guide to getting to know wine, making friends with it, and serving (or ordering) it.
I don’t necessarily want to pretend that I have the knowledge of a sommelier, but I do want to be able to speak socially about wine and sound reasonable, to choose appropriate wines to serve at home, and to be able to converse with a sommelier when I am dining out in a manner where we understand each other. I do feel that Fredrickson accomplishes that with this work.
This is a lovely, 143 page book filled with amazing color photos of vineyards, grapes, the process of fermenting the grapes, gracious glasses of wine, and much more. The book is broken down into chapters on wine and substance, processing wine, tasting wine, pairing wine and food, and so much more.
Fredrickson shares his wisdom on party planning, understanding wine vernacular (so we at least sound like we know what we are talking about!), and finding our way in the world of wine.
This book is meant to bring to its audience a bare minimum of information about wine, and the world of wine. It is down to earth, and meant to make individuals feel comfortable in this world. I am so impressed with it that I am leaving it out on my kitchen counter, taking its place among books on spiralyzing and smoothies!
Of interest to me was that Fredrickson not only talked about the processing of the wine, but about the life cycle of a vineyard, and what goes on there. He talks about the different types of wines, about growing organic wine, the type of information placed on the wine label, and how the different things that make up a wine act to balance each other out. I loved the section on the major styles of wine, and their associated costs. Whether I am in a grocery store, a liquor store, or a wine specialty store, I will know where to look for what I want.
There is a lovely section on wine tasting, that includes the color of the grapes in the different varieties of wine, the different levels of aroma, and the actual tasting (sipping). I do have opportunities near me to go to wine tastings – I may now be emboldened to actually do so!
Wine terminology, and the right glass for the right wine is also addressed. This is followed by an inventory of what a well-equipped wine pantry includes. (I need to do a little shopping here!)
There is a great section of different countries, and the wines they are famous for. This is followed by a listing of different foods (and spices), and the best wines to pair them with.
At the end of the book we have a listing of resources, and an index.
I found this book to be a very nice beginners guide to getting to know wine, making friends with it, and serving (or ordering) it.
December 31, 2019
Ken Fredrickson, author of "Wine: A Beginner's Guide", is a Master Sommelier, an entrepreneur, and an enthusiast for the best Life has to offer in wine and cuisine. His many years of hands-on experience, his extensive knowledge, and his great love of subject are all put to optimal use in this enjoyable and informative guide on wine basics and much more. Don't let the very simple cover design of this book fool you--it's actually loaded with photos, illustrations, maps, charts, guidelines, and, of course, information on all aspects of wine and winemaking. I have long been fascinated with wine and its history--for many families around the world, wine is not just a business, it is a generational legacy. One of my dreams has been to operate my own small vineyard with an on-premises B&B. I live in the beautiful mountains of Virginia, which has grown to be one of the top ten wine-producing states in America. Within an hour or so from my small hometown, there are numerous renowned independent wineries, and I am very proud of that fact. Reading "Wine: A Beginner's Guide" has given me an even greater appreciation of all the elements that are part of winemaking, both local and global. Chapters include: "Wine 101"; "Wine Builds Character"; "Style and Substance"; "How to Taste Wine"; "Handle Wine Like a Sommelier"; "Wine Around the World"; and "Pairing Wine with Food". I particularly enjoyed the information on wine and food pairings, which is broken down by specific types of food--Cheese, Vegetables, Meats, Fish/Shellfish, Herbs/Spices, and Desserts.
Book Copy Gratis Callisto Publishers
Book Copy Gratis Callisto Publishers
September 2, 2023
Exactly what I was looking for- probably would have been even better reading physically.
June 24, 2021
You have to be educated about what you drink and what you eat. I discovered that depends on what kind of wine you drink, the conversation is different. So wine influence on topic of the conversation as a part of atmosphere. There is a culture of wine. It is not just a drink, it can be inspiring. You just have to find your type of wine and favourite country. And believe me, it is an interesting journey and discovery.
and never enough reading!
and never enough reading!
July 16, 2022
Excellent introduction to wine.
January 29, 2020
The author is a master sommelier who has worked with high caliber chefs such as Wolfgang Puck and Charlie Trotter. The book contains beautiful photographs and uses color to highlight important words and phrases. The book consists of the following chapters: Wine 101, Wine Builds Character, Style & Substance, How to Taste Wine, Handle Wine Like a Sommelier, Wine Around the World, and Pairing Wine with Food. The book also contains a forward, introduction, conclusion, and resources section.
In the Wine 101 chapter, the winemaking process from vineyard to bottle is discussed, including harvesting, the crush, fermentation, racking, pressing, aging, and bottling. My favorite is the wine builds character chapter, which describes the body of wine, tannens, acidity, sweetness, and alcohol content. I particularly like how body is explained using different fat percentages of milk. Style and substance looks at different kinds of wine such as sparkling wines, white wine, red wine, and dessert wine. The chapter on wine tasting looks at color, intensity, viscosity, aroma, styling, profiling, and structural dynamics. The sommelier chapter discusses opening the wine, pouring, the right glassware, the correct temperature, and storing an open bottle. The chapter on pairing wine with food provides a nice guide to classic food and wine pairings such as cheese, vegetables, meats, fish, herbs/spices and dessert.
I really like the look of the book, however, I found some of the sections to be a little bit too simplistic while others a little bit to detailed. Note: my husband laughed when he saw the book and stated that I am not a “beginner” having done wine tasting in Napa Valley, Sonoma, Washington State, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Canada. He and I select all of the wine for family gatherings, and I have done so on multiple occasions for business dinners.
Overall, the book provides a nice companion for for those who wish to expand their knowledge of wine, particularly experience of choosing different types of wine to experience. For me the book was a three and a half star read rounded up to four.
In the Wine 101 chapter, the winemaking process from vineyard to bottle is discussed, including harvesting, the crush, fermentation, racking, pressing, aging, and bottling. My favorite is the wine builds character chapter, which describes the body of wine, tannens, acidity, sweetness, and alcohol content. I particularly like how body is explained using different fat percentages of milk. Style and substance looks at different kinds of wine such as sparkling wines, white wine, red wine, and dessert wine. The chapter on wine tasting looks at color, intensity, viscosity, aroma, styling, profiling, and structural dynamics. The sommelier chapter discusses opening the wine, pouring, the right glassware, the correct temperature, and storing an open bottle. The chapter on pairing wine with food provides a nice guide to classic food and wine pairings such as cheese, vegetables, meats, fish, herbs/spices and dessert.
I really like the look of the book, however, I found some of the sections to be a little bit too simplistic while others a little bit to detailed. Note: my husband laughed when he saw the book and stated that I am not a “beginner” having done wine tasting in Napa Valley, Sonoma, Washington State, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Canada. He and I select all of the wine for family gatherings, and I have done so on multiple occasions for business dinners.
Overall, the book provides a nice companion for for those who wish to expand their knowledge of wine, particularly experience of choosing different types of wine to experience. For me the book was a three and a half star read rounded up to four.
January 10, 2020
Wine has always intrigued me with its many varieties and flavors. I’m not too adventurous and prefer my moscato wine on occasions I have it. I find that I’m weary to step out with pairing wine with foods. Honestly I couldn’t tell you what’s what unless I read the label.
Chapters:
Wine 101
Wine Builds Character
Style and Substance
How to Taste Wine
Handle Wine Like a Sommelier
Wine Around the World
Pairing Wine with Food
If you’re looking for an introduction to wine then you found the book to become more informed about wine.
It talks about the different grape varieties. It gives you information on what the process of wine is from the vineyard to the bottle. A clear and concise step by step that goes into wine making. You even find out what goes into planting a vineyard and that it takes three years for wine to be suitable to make wine. It is fascinating reading about it.
The book even talks about sulfites and other additives in a bottle of wine. Not only are you finding out about the inside of the wine but the label on the wine. I never knew how much information was on a wine other than a name and alcohol amount. It gives you the village or region it is produced in. The label tells you the grape variety and vintage of the wine. I didn’t even know that there is a difference in Old or New World wine.
You will learn about how to taste, store, and serve wine, and the current trends.
The book is easy to read and understand. You don’t even have to be a Sommelier to understand wine now.
I really appreciated the chapter on pairing wind with food. I learned about specific food that go with them like Cheese, Vegetables, Meats, Fish & Shellfish, Herbs & Spices, and Desserts.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about wine.
It makes me really appreciate that glass of wine even more! I plan on expanding out on my wine.
I received a copy of this product from Callisto Publisher's in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review
Chapters:
Wine 101
Wine Builds Character
Style and Substance
How to Taste Wine
Handle Wine Like a Sommelier
Wine Around the World
Pairing Wine with Food
If you’re looking for an introduction to wine then you found the book to become more informed about wine.
It talks about the different grape varieties. It gives you information on what the process of wine is from the vineyard to the bottle. A clear and concise step by step that goes into wine making. You even find out what goes into planting a vineyard and that it takes three years for wine to be suitable to make wine. It is fascinating reading about it.
The book even talks about sulfites and other additives in a bottle of wine. Not only are you finding out about the inside of the wine but the label on the wine. I never knew how much information was on a wine other than a name and alcohol amount. It gives you the village or region it is produced in. The label tells you the grape variety and vintage of the wine. I didn’t even know that there is a difference in Old or New World wine.
You will learn about how to taste, store, and serve wine, and the current trends.
The book is easy to read and understand. You don’t even have to be a Sommelier to understand wine now.
I really appreciated the chapter on pairing wind with food. I learned about specific food that go with them like Cheese, Vegetables, Meats, Fish & Shellfish, Herbs & Spices, and Desserts.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about wine.
It makes me really appreciate that glass of wine even more! I plan on expanding out on my wine.
I received a copy of this product from Callisto Publisher's in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review
February 1, 2020
This book was a joy to read! The author found that he needed a quality intro text to teach his students about wine. Filled with full-color photos of wines and vineyards in Italy, and maps of wine regions, the text is well-put-together for the beginner. It is obvious that Mr. Fredrickson enjoys his subject matter.
4 stars instead of 5: I'm vegan, and don't feel that this book covered vegans or vegetarians at all. There were only 4 entries for "vegetables" in the wine pairing charts, and the author didn't cover International cuisine wine pairings. Though this was a beginner guide, it could have had more detail about curries, Chinese cuisine, Middle Eastern dishes, etc. In addition, in a world where people are going plant-based at increasing levels, it would be nice to know which wines are vegetarian/vegan and which use isinglass, for example, and other animal-based ingredients. One would be surprised how many wines don't fit in the category of plant-based/vegetarian/vegan, and sommeliers and wine connaisseurs should know this information!
Regardless, this will remain on my shelf as a quality reference, right along with my well-loved cookbooks.
I received a review copy from the publisher.
4 stars instead of 5: I'm vegan, and don't feel that this book covered vegans or vegetarians at all. There were only 4 entries for "vegetables" in the wine pairing charts, and the author didn't cover International cuisine wine pairings. Though this was a beginner guide, it could have had more detail about curries, Chinese cuisine, Middle Eastern dishes, etc. In addition, in a world where people are going plant-based at increasing levels, it would be nice to know which wines are vegetarian/vegan and which use isinglass, for example, and other animal-based ingredients. One would be surprised how many wines don't fit in the category of plant-based/vegetarian/vegan, and sommeliers and wine connaisseurs should know this information!
Regardless, this will remain on my shelf as a quality reference, right along with my well-loved cookbooks.
I received a review copy from the publisher.
September 28, 2023
This was a very good intro to wine. Like a Wine 101 class on the syllabus.
I wanted a bit more? Hence the four stars.
Where I think this book shines is in talking about the Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Aromas where I took a ton of notes:
Primary aromas:
Grape and earth derived scents.
- Certain fruits with certain grapes
- Melon or citrus
- Sauvignon blanc from loire valley/ grapefruit
- Cabernet- casis and black currant
- How ripe are they?
- Is it juicy and bruised or stewed?
- Herbs/vegetables/soil
- Champagne has a chalky smell from the limestone soul
- Burgundy Pinot = forest floor
- Albariño has a sea spray character
- Lots of Mediterranean wines have sage/rosemary/lavender from the nearby fragrant scrub
Secondary aromas:
Fermentation and aging.
- Perfume
- Yeast --> cream or rising bread dough
- Aged in Barrels --> for whites, vanilla and buttered toast ; for reds chocolate its toffee or smoke
Tertiary aromas:
Arise from age.
- oxygen and the compounds in the wine
- Not all wines will have them
- Dried fruits flowers and herbs
- Also leather and wet leaves and tobacco
- Hazelnut in white
I also appreciated the breakdown of sparkling wines!
I wanted a bit more? Hence the four stars.
Where I think this book shines is in talking about the Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Aromas where I took a ton of notes:
Primary aromas:
Grape and earth derived scents.
- Certain fruits with certain grapes
- Melon or citrus
- Sauvignon blanc from loire valley/ grapefruit
- Cabernet- casis and black currant
- How ripe are they?
- Is it juicy and bruised or stewed?
- Herbs/vegetables/soil
- Champagne has a chalky smell from the limestone soul
- Burgundy Pinot = forest floor
- Albariño has a sea spray character
- Lots of Mediterranean wines have sage/rosemary/lavender from the nearby fragrant scrub
Secondary aromas:
Fermentation and aging.
- Perfume
- Yeast --> cream or rising bread dough
- Aged in Barrels --> for whites, vanilla and buttered toast ; for reds chocolate its toffee or smoke
Tertiary aromas:
Arise from age.
- oxygen and the compounds in the wine
- Not all wines will have them
- Dried fruits flowers and herbs
- Also leather and wet leaves and tobacco
- Hazelnut in white
I also appreciated the breakdown of sparkling wines!
February 2, 2020
Thank you Callisto Publisher's Club and Rockridge Press for this free book! The following review contains my honest opinion.
This book exceeded my expectations. I am surprised at how much information has been covered in a relatively small book. The information is conveyed in a very accessible way, even the technical information; prior to reading this book, I knew next to nothing about wine but now I feel quite knowledgeable.
I found the design of the book very appealing. I loved the photographs used throughout, the illustrations were simple yet clear, and the color scheme embodies a gentle luxury.
This book exceeded my expectations. I am surprised at how much information has been covered in a relatively small book. The information is conveyed in a very accessible way, even the technical information; prior to reading this book, I knew next to nothing about wine but now I feel quite knowledgeable.
I found the design of the book very appealing. I loved the photographs used throughout, the illustrations were simple yet clear, and the color scheme embodies a gentle luxury.
February 13, 2020
As someone who enjoys wine, but doesn't necessarily get into the nuances of 'notes' this was a good explanation of different regions and types of wine. It does a great job of explaining with out pretensions that I have seen a lot of in other areas explaining wines. It was a quick read and was a good read for a novice as it is written for them (us).
July 18, 2023
This book has all the basic information if you were to study wine. I glanced through sections that I wasn't interested in (such as certain varietals I don't like or winemaking in certain countries/regions I'm unlikely to purchase wines from). But if my taste changes/evolve, I know I can always come back to this book and refresh on the topic.
May 20, 2023
informative and well presented
This was a well presented, informative beginners guide. Detailed but never bogged down in cliches or jargon. Most enjoyed the geography lessons of the wine regions. The chapters were well defined.
This was a well presented, informative beginners guide. Detailed but never bogged down in cliches or jargon. Most enjoyed the geography lessons of the wine regions. The chapters were well defined.
May 24, 2021
Wonderful little book - and have decided that I need a copy of my own!
March 5, 2022
I listened to this audio book and think it would be a better read than listen
November 26, 2022
dad had me read this one. I feel more knowledgeable about wine now.
August 28, 2022
Very basic intro to the wine producing process and different types of wine. I liked the descriptions of the wine characteristics: body, sweetness, aromas, alcohol.
Not sure how the paperback version is 160 pages when the ebook read more like a pamphlet. Each step of the winemaking process was only one or two paragraphs. At the end there is a wine pairing guide which was a bit too specific rather than instructional.
Not sure how the paperback version is 160 pages when the ebook read more like a pamphlet. Each step of the winemaking process was only one or two paragraphs. At the end there is a wine pairing guide which was a bit too specific rather than instructional.
April 8, 2020
Perfect beginning guide to wine. A master sommelier teaching all of the basics in an easy to understand way.
June 22, 2022
Loved it. Easy to read & great for food & wine pairing.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews