Windows on the World Complete Wine Course: 2004 Edition: A Lively Guide (Windows on the World Complete Wine Course)

In short, I'm glad I read it, but I would get more just talking with someone at my local wine merchant--asking them to explain different wine styles, and asking them to help select a wine based on a meal I would actually eat.


The Windows Should Be a Little Wider!   July 21, 2003
 23 out of 27 found this review helpful

This book is a fine primer for beginners and a good simplifier of winemaking processes-particularly with describing the involved method for Champagne.
Wher the book falls far short is its limited horizon on newer quality areas producing excellent wines: in short, California ia hardly the "end all" for excellence in American wines-Sraly completely ignores the great wine sthat have been coming out of the Northwest. Oregon Pinot Noirs certainly are much more Burgundian than most of California's. Leonetti Merlot and Quilceda Creek Cab have reached worldwide stature-and British Columbia does the finest Icewines now in the world! He also ignores the New Zealnd wines and their great Pinot Noirs , never mind that Cloudy Bay is the benchmark for greatest Sauvignon Blanc in the world. We can't deny California's great importance-but, frankly,its wines are now over produced, overhyped, over oaked -and far, far over priced.If Zraly would just get west of the Hudson and north of LA, he just might widen his perspectives and make this book really valuable in an updated version in tune with the times.