This book is helpful in that it quickly explains regions, varietals, and how to read labels. It's a good source for someone that needs to know such information. Filled with lots of good pictures and interesting fun facts.

This was my first and will probably be my last book I will ever buy on the subject. Whether you are new or old to the wine world you will definitely learn something new. It will teach you how to read the bottle, by covering regions, different kinds of grapes, and the vintages so you are able to pick out a bottle of wine intelligently. Again I have never read another book on the subject, but this book had everything that I was looking for, so I believe it is a great book.

A friend told me about this book, since I am interested in learning about wines. This book truly fit the bill. VERY informative! Not in the best of shape, but good enough.

I'm a culinary student & find this book to be wonderful when it comes to me having dinner parties & creating menus for any class projects. This was such a great deal!!!!

I was one of those people who knew just enough about wine to get my wallet in trouble but not enough to know WTF I was doing at a winery or at the liquor store. So I picked up this book to learn more. Wow! It's really helped me to learn how to make good choices (like a textbook) rather than to memorize facts (like an encyclopedia).

Don't get me wrong. There is a place on the shelf for the wine encyclopedia, but the place for Windows On the World Complete Wine Course has been on my desk or in my lap.

As a reference is is fairly good but really this should be used as a text for yourself, or perhaps more organized study.

The book includes an introduction that outlines the wine basics that everyone should know and then moves into wines of the world by region, which are the best producers or shippers, and various facts about the grape, weather for particular years, anecdotes, explanation of the best values, etc.

Rather than having chapters, the book is broken up into classes with the idea being that you would learn the things in that class before moving on or jumping around in the book.

Class One covers the White Wines of France.

Class Two covers The Wines of Washington, Oregon, and New York along with The White Wines of California. Then covers American Wine and Winemaking: A Short History.

Class Three covers The White Wines of Germany and Red Grapes of the World.

Class Four covers The Red Wines of Burgundy and the Rhone Valley.

Class Five covers The Red Wines of Bordeaux.

Class Six covers The Red Wines of California.

Class Seven covers Wines of the World: Italy, Spain, Australia, Chile, and Argentina.

Class Eight covers Champagne, Sherry, and Port.

Some additional content includes The Greater World of Wine, The Complete Wine-Tasting Course, The Physiology of Tasting Wine, Matching Wine and Food, Wine Buying Strategies for Your Wine Cellar, Creating an Exemplary Restaurant Wine List, Wine Service and Wine Storage in Restaurants and at Home, and Frequently Asked Questions About Wine.

I'm fairly certain that after studying this book and completing a good amount of tasting that I will be able to take (and pass) some of the lower-level certification courses that exist in the industry. In fact, each chapter has a series of questions, (not all of them have been easy) and a page number where you can find the answer. If that's something you're interested in, you really will want to read this book. The price represents a great value for the content and I think everyone who can read and has an interest in wine will find the information to be both interesting and useful.

Kevin makes it easy without dumbing it down. He takes the snobbery out of wine and allows you to just enjoy it.

This book was just what I was looking for...Complete, consise information presented in an easy to understand format. It does't overwhelm you with information, rather it leads you through the world of wine and you can partake as much or as little as you choose. A good coffee table book that I will refer to again and again.

Don't know a Bordeaux from a Burgundy? A Barolo from a Brunello? Zraly's Windows on the World Wine Course is the book to read. Excellent, down-to-earth information on most of the important wine regions of the world. I especially appreciated the listings of the best vintage years from each region. My only complaint is, that he shows his New York bias. Zraly gives more space to wineries on Long Island than to more important regions, such as New Zealand and South Africa. Still, the book to study for the vineyards and wines of California, France, and Italy.

One of the best publications ever done covering wine, for some one who wants to actively participate in one of the most exiting themes invented by humans.

This is the best book on wines that I have ever read. It is very informative and written in such a way that it is enjoyable for readers with different knowledge levels of wines. We are now using it in our restaurant to educate all of our waitstaff.

This is a sensible book on the various topics that it covers. Very readable. You will learn without falling asleep.

Boris

www.chilean-wine.com

I decided to start a new hobby. Learning as much as I can about wine and become a wine lover. This book has it all. From the origins of the art of wine making to the Old World wines to the New World wines and much more.

Probably best suited for the intermediate to advance wine enthusiast. The book is a pared down version of the wine course that the write teaches to restaurant professionals.

Once you read this book you will know more about wine than most people who work in a package store.
Good starter.

Windows on the World Complete Wine Course: 2009 Edition (Windows on the World Complete Wine Course) is the number one book to learn about wine. It's a complete, readable guide to wine regions, grape varietals, wine pairing, and much much more. You'll learn about all the major wine regions, their typical grape varietals, and distinguishing characteristics.

Throughout the book specific, easily available, and affordable wines are profiled by winery. Special sections take this further: wine tasting "courses" of flights of different wines to compare; 101 favorite wines; and wines to begin a wine cellar.

I've completed two levels of the excellent Wine and Spirit Education Trust's wine programs. I'm amazed that Kevin Zraly's Windows on the World is just as thorough and is basically the intermediate level - in a book. I refer back to it often, and give it as gifts to friends who want to increase their appreciation of wine.