To All you fathers reading this, Happy Father’s Day!
So you really enjoy wine, but feel overwhelmed whenever you try to dive into the subject with all the jargon. It’s like learning a foreign language. Then you are drinking a glass of wine that a reviewer has described as having “notes of star anise and kiwi” and you wonder if they are talking about the same wine you are drinking…or maybe you lost your sense of taste after that dare to eat a Habanero pepper. Or perhaps you have been trying to make sense out of a label on a bottle of wine from France. Why don’t they tell you what kind of wine you’re drinking? Where do you start? In this post I will share a few wine resources that I have found informative and helpful. I hope you will, too.
First a few books:
Windows on the World Complete Wine Course 30th Anniversary Edition by Kevin Zraly
This is a classic, with both basic information, as well as more than a little information for the more serious student. Like most wine books there is a heavy emphasis upon France and California.
Wine Folly by Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammock
A more recent wine classic with a great visual emphasis on the world of wine. Here you will find some of the best colorful maps, color charts of the many varietals of wine, and much more. While there is a well-written and informative text to accompany the beautiful photography, the pictures truly are worth a thousand words.
The Wine Bible by Karen McNeil
One to read in sections, rather than cover-to-cover. Well-written and comprehensive. This is one of the giants!
The Oxford Companion to Wine by Jancis Robinson
Robinson is world-renown and her book is literally encyclopedic. Not much she doesn’t include in this book. A great reference book for the serious student or wine lover.
You’re probably expecting a shameless plug for my soon-to-be-released book about New Jersey wines and wineries (with the same name as my blog, just to make it easy to remember). OK. I didn’t want to disappoint you. Well, after a few unanticipated snags (aren’t there always), I am anticipating a late summer or early fall publication of my book, New Jersey Uncorked: A Snob-Free Taste of NJ Wine.
What about taking a wine course? If you live in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area, consider taking a course at the Wine School of Philadelphia, owned and run by Keith Wallace. If you aren’t offended by his colorful (and sometimes off-color) language, Keith will have you alternately wowed with his knowledge and laughing at his unique sense of humor. You will definitely learn a lot while drinking some very good wines. What’s not to like? If you don’t live close enough to Philly, Rutgers offers a course that is highly thought of and many colleges and universities around the country offer excellent wine courses.
Other Wine Resources (My current favorite wine blogs):
I know, I’m not supposed to talk about other people’s books and blogs! Isn’t sharing links to other blogs the cardinal sin of blogging 101? I don’t care. I want to share my favorites with you.
This is both an award-winning original blog about wine and a compendium of most of the wine blogs from all over the world.
A terrific blog founded by the authors of the book mentioned above. It contains the same mix of excellent content and humor found in the book. This is a pretty good one for newbies because Madeline is good about explaining things with info-graphics and the photos are fantastic.
Another great blog by an excellent writer and stellar wine-maker, as well. Lori and her husband, Michael keep selling out of their highly rated Cab Franc. If you want to learn more about wine (and most especially her beloved Cab Franc) check out her website and their Cab Franc. Lori and Michael are passionate about and very knowledgeable about all things wine.
This is a very informative, award-winning blog about wine. A fine writer with an irreverent sense of humor.
I hope you find these wine resources helpful. Please share any others that you have found worthwhile.
Tried a New Jersey wine lately? Visited a NJ winery recently? Share your experience here. Like what you read and see here? Consider subscribing and get my weekly post directly in you box (with no spam). I do not share email addresses with anyone. Not even my wife! Promise.
Cheers!
Hi David, it was nice talking to you at our festival last month, thanks for coming and promoting New Jersey wines. I look forward to reading your blog and upcoming book.
Brendan Boyle
Autumn Lake Winery
Brendan, It was good seeing you as well. I appreciate the support and look forward to the “Official Opening” at Autumn Lake Winery. Wineries in Williamstown! How cool is that!
Thanks for sharing your’s along with other writer’s wealth of wine knowledge. Looking forward to your book. Already a subscriber.
Rob, Thanks for the kind words. I hope to be applying for copyright registration within 30 days.