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The Wine Trials 2011
This is the third edition of the book that challenged the wine establishment and revealed the widely available wines under $15 that beat out wines costing up to 10 times their price in blind tastings. The Wine Trials 2011 features full-page reviews of 175 all-new wines for 2010, based on completely new blind tastings of the latest vintages, with a special focus on up-and-coming value wine regions like Portugal and Greece. Each review includes a cheeky, unpretentious discussion of each wine’s flavors and aromas, and a photo of the bottle for easy identification.
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2008
3 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Robin Goldstein
29 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Robin was born in 1961 a stone's throw away from the rapidly developing metropolis of Rotterdam in the little village of Maassluis (the Netherlands). After his studies in Cultural Sciences (entrepreneurship), history & archeology in Biblical countries, Robin was posted to Lebanon as an UNIFIL soldier. Shortly afterwards, he applied for a career in the French Foreign Legion for more than five years. It shaped his thoughts and actions. Still, he was unable to satisfy his hunger for a fulfilling life. He became a songwriter, adventurer and Author.
Robin studied & traveled for more than 25 years around the world for his quest for the origin & purpose of life. Robin worked in the field and did an enormous amount of research work on world historie, ancient cultural sciences, analyzes of traditional religions, theology and mysteries in general.
(Interim, he focused on writing and composing music and wrote several world hits like Pure Love & Take me away to paradise. Robin performed with many world famous artists like SNAP, Back Street Boys & Madonna during mega concerts at the Rotterdam Feijenoord stadium and New York Park).
But his quest about the origin & purpose of life went on. Robin recorded and collected the results of his journeys and studies in thousands of letters; he silently saved his notes and sketches in a large sea chest in a tower room in his castle. The image which emerged from his notes became increasing clear until, in the new millennium, Goldstein drew an unbelievable conclusion. And it was for this reason that, somewhere in the year 2005, Robin seated himself behind his desk to write Longing for the Stars so that he might share this information with the world. A completely renewed theory! In order to enable him to give this theory its own identity, Robin named it the 'factorizationtheory'. Robin Goldstein is founder and designer of the factorizationtheory.
Goldstein - Merchant in hope
We live in an era of secularization and individualization. People are free to decide what they believe. This seems like a position of luxury. But it's not. Too many options to choose from creates anxiety. People feel like drifting in a boat without a rudder.They are afraid of making choices that will leave them standing alone. This fear of isolation burrows under the skin, like poisonous vermin. Loneliness is probably the greatest of all fears.
The need to belong to a group is vital for each individual. Yet, in our world of today, this is a rear commodity. With our loss of religious belief, there is a great need for a philosophy that provides security. A way of thinking that empowers individuals and bonds them at the same time. A dream that unites people, a common purpose to strive for. This is where Goldstein steps in. This wealthy wanderer is a merchant in hope. He is a remedy for your deepest fears. Goldstein never let's you down. It's a landmark, especially for people who are searching for meaning.
A strong leader
Robin Goldstein is an adventurer at heart, who seeks to uncover the truth about the origin and destination of men. He is an Indiana Jones type of hero. A man with a mission. It was his traveling all over the world in search for truth that inspired him to share his thoughts in ‘Longing for the Stars’ . This book reveals surprising answers on fundamental questions as: “Who are we, and what is the purpose of mankind?”
Goldstein is a strong man who stands up for what is right. Defending those who are weak and vulnerable, which makes him an archetypal leader. Goldstein provides all the needs for a worldwide industry. Complete with a philosophy that function as a common dream and a range of services and products that aim to increase people's happiness.
The brand Goldstein could be seen as a church whereby Robin functions as a living messiah. Goldstein is like a spouting fountain of hope.
Pro
Robin was born in 1961 a stone's throw away from the rapidly developing metropolis of Rotterdam in the little village of Maassluis (the Netherlands). After his studies in Cultural Sciences (entrepreneurship), history & archeology in Biblical countries, Robin was posted to Lebanon as an UNIFIL soldier. Shortly afterwards, he applied for a career in the French Foreign Legion for more than five years. It shaped his thoughts and actions. Still, he was unable to satisfy his hunger for a fulfilling life. He became a songwriter, adventurer and Author.
Robin studied & traveled for more than 25 years around the world for his quest for the origin & purpose of life. Robin worked in the field and did an enormous amount of research work on world historie, ancient cultural sciences, analyzes of traditional religions, theology and mysteries in general.
(Interim, he focused on writing and composing music and wrote several world hits like Pure Love & Take me away to paradise. Robin performed with many world famous artists like SNAP, Back Street Boys & Madonna during mega concerts at the Rotterdam Feijenoord stadium and New York Park).
But his quest about the origin & purpose of life went on. Robin recorded and collected the results of his journeys and studies in thousands of letters; he silently saved his notes and sketches in a large sea chest in a tower room in his castle. The image which emerged from his notes became increasing clear until, in the new millennium, Goldstein drew an unbelievable conclusion. And it was for this reason that, somewhere in the year 2005, Robin seated himself behind his desk to write Longing for the Stars so that he might share this information with the world. A completely renewed theory! In order to enable him to give this theory its own identity, Robin named it the 'factorizationtheory'. Robin Goldstein is founder and designer of the factorizationtheory.
Goldstein - Merchant in hope
We live in an era of secularization and individualization. People are free to decide what they believe. This seems like a position of luxury. But it's not. Too many options to choose from creates anxiety. People feel like drifting in a boat without a rudder.They are afraid of making choices that will leave them standing alone. This fear of isolation burrows under the skin, like poisonous vermin. Loneliness is probably the greatest of all fears.
The need to belong to a group is vital for each individual. Yet, in our world of today, this is a rear commodity. With our loss of religious belief, there is a great need for a philosophy that provides security. A way of thinking that empowers individuals and bonds them at the same time. A dream that unites people, a common purpose to strive for. This is where Goldstein steps in. This wealthy wanderer is a merchant in hope. He is a remedy for your deepest fears. Goldstein never let's you down. It's a landmark, especially for people who are searching for meaning.
A strong leader
Robin Goldstein is an adventurer at heart, who seeks to uncover the truth about the origin and destination of men. He is an Indiana Jones type of hero. A man with a mission. It was his traveling all over the world in search for truth that inspired him to share his thoughts in ‘Longing for the Stars’ . This book reveals surprising answers on fundamental questions as: “Who are we, and what is the purpose of mankind?”
Goldstein is a strong man who stands up for what is right. Defending those who are weak and vulnerable, which makes him an archetypal leader. Goldstein provides all the needs for a worldwide industry. Complete with a philosophy that function as a common dream and a range of services and products that aim to increase people's happiness.
The brand Goldstein could be seen as a church whereby Robin functions as a living messiah. Goldstein is like a spouting fountain of hope.
Pro
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 28, 2010
#2 - 2010.
The basic concept behind this book is why I can get away with serving $8 champagne to people used to drinking Dom Perignon. Read my entire review here.
The basic concept behind this book is why I can get away with serving $8 champagne to people used to drinking Dom Perignon. Read my entire review here.
February 22, 2010
While the second, and larger, half of this book is a reference book listing the winners of the 2010 Wine Trials, the first section is a few chapters on the authors' philosphy on wine rating, tasting, and other related subjects.
It reads as a manifesto of sorts sometimes. The authors rail against Robert Parker and the wine rating magazines such as Wine Spectator. They discuss the inherent problems in the fact that they rate wines while selling advertising to the same wine makers whose wines they rate. The authors are also firm believers in blind tasting, which they discuss at length. It's intelligently written and answers all the questions that were floating around in my head as I read it. It validates my belief that, if a wine maker (or spirits maker, for that matter) is spending money on advertising and marketing, you're paying too much for their product.
There is so much more inside that I won't elaborate on here.
The opening chapters of this book are a must read for anyone interested in wine and the evaluation of it. If you are an explorer and don't want to be told what to enjoy and why you enjoy it, read this.
It reads as a manifesto of sorts sometimes. The authors rail against Robert Parker and the wine rating magazines such as Wine Spectator. They discuss the inherent problems in the fact that they rate wines while selling advertising to the same wine makers whose wines they rate. The authors are also firm believers in blind tasting, which they discuss at length. It's intelligently written and answers all the questions that were floating around in my head as I read it. It validates my belief that, if a wine maker (or spirits maker, for that matter) is spending money on advertising and marketing, you're paying too much for their product.
There is so much more inside that I won't elaborate on here.
The opening chapters of this book are a must read for anyone interested in wine and the evaluation of it. If you are an explorer and don't want to be told what to enjoy and why you enjoy it, read this.
May 23, 2011
These authors have done their work! If you want to find a low-cost wine that tastes wonderful, no matter what the vineyard, this book is for you. The wines reviewed herein are all done by blind taste-testing. There are no kick-backs from sellers, growers, distributors, anyone. They are ALL moderately or cheaply priced. The authors are not attempting to discredit the expensive wines, nor the folks who love them. But this is the perfect book to have with me when I go into Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits, where the choices are numerous, to say the least. I have last year's version of this book, and the beer version of it also.
For all of you left-brained readers, the math and research involved, is explained. The wines listed are not just from our current year, but vintages that will still be on the shelves of the store. A great resource!
For all of you left-brained readers, the math and research involved, is explained. The wines listed are not just from our current year, but vintages that will still be on the shelves of the store. A great resource!
December 6, 2010
Part I of this book begins explaining studies about blind wine tasting, and that cheaper wines are usually preferred. It then delves into wine magazine ratings, and comes across a bit like a conspiracy theory. It became repetitive and old by the end of Part I. Part II is an easy to use reference for the top wines under $15. I regularly use this before purchasing wine, and I even write the date in the book that I try the recommended bottle. I bought this book for my in-laws, and I am looking forward to hearing their reviews. Gave 4 stars because of Part II's excellence.
May 22, 2011
I highly recommend this to any wine drinker - of the casual and of the upturned nose type. Some interesting psychology at work in tasting wines in a social setting. This is my new favorite wine book. I am excited because I have not tried many of these. I read the 2008 version. I'd love a similar take on beer tasting. There is a great book on tasting food with categories that would be fun for anyone on a budget. OnceI find it in the lsit I will rate it. Can't remember the title.
December 31, 2008
Nice; I like wine, I like science. Combine the two and I'm a happy man. This is a book about truly double-blind tastings of wines, and it confirms my belief that you can find great, relatively cheap wines -- and in fact, some of my personal favorites are on their list of 100 great value wines. Quick and easy read.
January 16, 2011
I love the way this is written--a fresh, honest approach to the taste of wines. I'm a big fan of blind-tastings and these authors give us a candid approach on the best wines to buy. Their opinion is not skewed by kick-backs from the wineries. I plan to have this in my car at all ties, so when I am faced with too many choices at the liquor store, I will refer to this guide. Salut!
December 7, 2011
This book had some good, insightful information for anyone who wants to learn a little more about wines, before going out to do wine tasting #2, or 3...
It's a little old (2008), ranked some wines that we can find and drink, but the rock bottom line is the year of the wines; the book ranks 2003, '04, and '05+ wines that are very hard to come by these days.
It's a little old (2008), ranked some wines that we can find and drink, but the rock bottom line is the year of the wines; the book ranks 2003, '04, and '05+ wines that are very hard to come by these days.
July 26, 2008
I'm almost done with this book and learned a lot about wine, and about human perception of what tastes good. The first few chapters cite lots of studies and statistics, and show how silly we are in determining what tastes best.
February 18, 2018
Can you give a book no stars!? This is the shittiest wine book ever written. I have been in the wine business for 20 years and I can't stand this book. If you want my full review e-mail me at:
bclivingston@gmail.com
bclivingston@gmail.com
October 21, 2010
Good guide, brings up valid points about arbitrary wine pricing and rating systems among large magazines such as Wine Spectator or Wine Advocate. After all, they are a business attempting to sell ads, and it's more effective to sell to large wineries with larger advertising budgets.
January 6, 2009
Wine dorks unite. This is one for anyone looking for an excuse to pay less for wine. Easy short read with a great reference of 100 great cheap wines.
July 23, 2011
Delicious and cheap wines?! A must have for my kitchen library.
October 2, 2009
Quick read gives good cheap wine recommendations.
March 24, 2012
Very clever -- and worth the purchase price if you are a wine drinker!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews