Karen MacNeil

If wine has a scripture, The Wine Bible is it ... and thankfully, it’s written by someone with a pulse. Karen MacNeil doesn’t just teach you about wine; she takes you by the hand and walks you through the vineyards, the cellars, and the centuries of culture behind every glass.

As a Sommelier, I still learn from this book. Every time I crack it open ... whether I’m double-checking a region’s quirks or just looking for inspiration before a tasting ... I find something new, something show more sharp, something perfectly phrased. MacNeil has that rare gift of making wine both accessible and profound. Her writing sparkles: witty without fluff, precise without pretension, and full of that infectious passion that reminds you why wine is endlessly fascinating in the first place.

What makes The Wine Bible indispensable is how it demystifies the entire subject. Anyone with a curiosity about wine ... where it comes from, how it’s made, and what makes it sing ... will find every essential here. It’s the ultimate beginner’s guide, yes, but it’s also a trusted companion for those of us deep in the trade.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by a crowd of self-proclaimed “experts,” this is the book that arms you with real knowledge ... the kind that makes you quietly confident, not loudly obnoxious. MacNeil doesn’t just make you love wine more; she makes you understand why it matters. show less

Is it just me, or is _all_ wine writing annoying and a little offensive? The whole thing is based around the same faulty assumption, which is that there is a single linear measure of a wine's quality, by which every bottle can be ranked from best to worst. What crap! Certainly, it's possible to talk about technical qualities and defects, or their absence, but there's a lot more to whether a wine is good for a particular purpose, and in a particular context, than just those simple judgments. show more Just once, I'd like to see some wine writing that gives more thought to context.

Still, I do admit that the book contains a lot of useful facts about wine growing regions and types of wine. It could be especially helpful in demystifying some European wine labels.

In summary: a useful reference, but not a very enjoyable read. show less

Seasonal menus, with suggested wine pairings, from a “Cooking Light” columnist and PBS series host . . . .

Divided by seasons, each section offers a specific menu and the recipes for each of the suggested dishes in that menu. There’s also an explanation of the process of pairing wine with a meal, a guide to pairings, a wine and recipe selection guide, and information on styles of port, madeira, and sherry as well as a chart for dessert wines.

The recipes run the gamut, but there are many show more easy-to-prepare, delicious recipes. Try the Raspberry-Almond Muffins an afternoon snack, White Bean and Bacon Dip with Rosemary Pita Chips for an appetizer, Rosemary-Grilled Lamb Chops for an entrée, New Potatoes with Balsamic-Shallot Butter for a side dish, and Chocolate-Chunk Bread Puddings for a perfect dessert.

On the downside, some of the suggested wine pairings are pricy and there aren’t always alternate suggestions. But for those who enjoy cooking, and like a glass of wine with their meals, this book is worth a look. show less

Great for learning about all things wine. I take this to work and read it while looking at the hundreds of wines at the store. Easy to read, and well-organized to find the topic you're most interested in.