Author(s): Eric Asimov

Food

For many people, wine is an anxiety - inducing mystery as arcane as quantum physics. With so many varieties, it's difficult to know what to choose. That puzzling uncertainty often prevents people from buying and ordering wine, depriving them of an exquisite, deeply satisfying experience, argues "New York Times" wine critic Eric Asimov. In "How to Love Wine", he examines why the American wine culture produces such feelings of anxiety and suggests how readers can overcome fears and develop a sense of discovery and wonder as they explore the diversity and complexity of the world of wine. With warmth, candor, and intelligent authority, Asimov interweaves his professional knowledge and insights with charming personal stories of his love affair with wine, a lifelong passion that began when he was a graduate student on a budget. In a direct, down-to-earth manner, Asimov discusses favorite vineyards, wine's singular personalities, the tyranny of tasting notes - those meaningless, overwritten wine descriptions that often pass for criticism today - and current wine issues. Throughout, he incorporates in-depth discussions of beautiful wines, both easy to find and rare, and pays special attention to those that have been particularly meaningful to him. Thought provoking and enjoyable, "How to Love Wine" will help diminish readers' anxiety, bolster their confidence, and transform them into wine lovers.