Very good reading for beginners. This little book will teach you a lot in less than 200 pages. Its strength relays on the tips for picking wine and how to match it with food. The author is very enthusiastic about whites, yes, especially for German whites, but since they are not the most popular or well known, the information turns out to be valuable. If you don't feel confident about what you know, keep this book close and open it any time you have to make a decision. It has a helpful index.
One mistake, though, in page 168. Ceviche is not Mexican, but Peruvian in origin, though it's true that a Proseco, like any other sparkler is good match for it. Most Peruvians eat their ceviche, and their amazing seafood, with beer, when the perfect company is near by: the Blanc de Blancs from Tacama (from Ica, in the southern coast of Peru).
The Wine Avenger is a very accessible book and will be enjoyed by beginners and people who want to avoid a sophisticated vocabulary (i.e. most of us).

This little book is a gem and a real bargain. In a small space it manages to cover the whole gamut of the wine world including European wines. It also cuts through the jargan and delivers what you really need to know in a straightforward and very witty manner.

I own a number of books on wine and if I had to choose between this book and keeping all of the other ones, I would keep this ONE book! It's really that good. It has saved me money in terms of buying good inexpesive wines, increased my enjoyment of wine with food by learning how to pair food and wine correctly. It also gave me the knowledge I needed to discuss wine intelligently with anyone.

This author is NOT out to be politically correct or to make friends in the wine industry. I think the same is true of the restuarant industry because he is very blunt in his criticisms, particularly of over-priced restaurant wine. His use of words along these lines accounts for much of the humor in his writing.

If you know of anyone who has wine as a hobby they will enjoy reading this. If you are intimidated by the world of wine, you wouldn't be after you finish this book. It will also save you money and open up new worlds in terms of differnt types of wine from all over the world.

This little book is a gem and a real bargain. In a small space it manages to cover the whole gamut of the wine world including European wines. It also cuts through the jargan and delivers what you really need to know in a straightforward and very witty manner.

I own a number of books on wine and if I had to choose between this book and keeping all of the other ones, I would keep this ONE book! It's really that good. It has saved me money in terms of buying good inexpesive wines, increased my enjoyment of wine with food by learning how to pair food and wine correctly. It also gave me the knowledge I needed to discuss wine intelligently with anyone.

This author is NOT out to be politically correct or to make friends in the wine industry. I think the same is true of the restuarant industry because he is very blunt in his criticisms, particularly of over-priced restaurant wine. His use of words along these lines accounts for much of the humor in his writing.

If you know of anyone who has wine as a hobby they will enjoy reading this. If you are intimidated by the world of wine, you wouldn't be after you finish this book. It will also save you money and open up new worlds in terms of differnt types of wine from all over the world.

The best aspect of this book is that it tells you in good detail how to pair wine with food. One of the most under-appreciated wines, the German Riesling, is also one of the best food wines, and is an excellent value because it is so un-loved by the popular wine community. This book shows you how to love Riesling and many other inexpensive, food-friendly wines. I first read this book many years ago and still consider it to be the best book I have ever read on wine.

This is the best wine book that you will ever find. Gluckstern explains the different wines in a down to earth manner. He is all about drinking wines that taste good, not wines that some overblown critic tells you are good. If you want the real story on wines get this book to help you out!

I love Willie, and recommend this book to anyone interested yet intimidated by the world of wine. His whole thesis is that most of us drink our wine with food, and the market is flooded by expensive wines that are almost completely incompatible with the food we eat today. Thus, readers of this book experience a wealth of insight about inexpensive wines that will truly be enjoyable with meals at home or out in restaurants. He explains the often complex world of European wines (most of which continue to represent a better value than their New World counterparts, both in cost and taste), inflicts a mortal wound on the logic of those for whom chardonnay and merlot are the beginning of white and reds everywhere, and generally has a lot of fun presenting his world to the layman. There isn't an ounce of pretension in this book, and because of that, its accessible to everyone, even those who already have a bit of wine knowledge. It should be noted, also, that he's no gifted amateur. He's been in the business for decades, and has written the wine lists at several excellent restaurants. Cheers!

One of the cover statements is "become a wine/food genius in one hour". I don't know about "genius", but it does put one well ahead of the pack, which might be considered genius. There is a lot of information in a brief easy-to-read book. Many of the myths (e.g., some 100-point rating systems) are exposed, which is sure to cause lack of support from some advertising-based magazines. Regardless, there is a lot about grapes, areas, storage, purchasing at wine stores and at restaurants, etc. Basic questions for new wine lovers and very good answers.

An enjoyable read and what seems like good advice-- a rare combination. I'm not exactly a wine idiot, more like a wine apprentice. Living in Europe these past five years has given me a pretty clear sense of what I do and don't know.

Gluckstern's book goes a long way toward filling in some of my more obvious gaps, and a really liked his ascerbic (even occasionally cranky) way of giving his views. He covers topics such as Quality, Oak (the MSG of wine), the different kinds of grapes, wine housekeeping tips, wine in restaurants and wines suggested to go with food.

A good gift for yourself or others.

Every time I go to a fine restaurant and see the wine list, I get the feeling that I get when I'm in an interview and have just been asked a question that I prayed they wouldn't ask. It's worse when there are a lot of people at dinner and the waiter asks you with a stoic expression, "and what will you drink, sir?" Sweat trickles down my forehead and after an interminable length of time (i.e. three seconds) I say, "Uh... water's fine for me."

If this is you, Gluckstern's book is a great way to learn about wine. Truly, there are so many wine books out there that are bigger than dictionaries and so generous with metaphors that even when you finish reading, you have no idea what you've just read.

But this book is different. Informative, funny, incisive, this is a great introduction. And a very logical book too, with a very practical and no-nonsense approach to wine (and food). And there are moments in the book when I literally burst out laughing.

I've learned a lot from just these few pages, and needless to say, now when I'm in a restaurant, I can fortunately tell the difference between a chianti and a pinot grigio.

This is a great book! It's a well-organized quick and fun read which I've returned to many times when selecting the small number of wines (typically 10 or less) we keep on hand in our home. While Willie's writing is laugh-out-loud funny, he really does give clear and useful advice, and I feel like we haven't made a bad selection since stumbling onto his book. My favorite advice of his is this about merlot: "Get a life!" I recommend this book to everyone I know who enjoys wine. You won't regret buying it.

If you buy one book about wine, this should probably be it. It will open your eyes. Gluckstern cuts through all the nonsense that has congealed around wine, and explains what's really going on. It's also a very amusing book.

This book is a great deal of fun to read, and provides a great deal of info for the wine novice. If you've ever stared blankly at a restaurant wine list, then this is the book for you!

tells you how to save money and drink better wine, and the practicalities of wine purchase and enjoyment!