Everybody's Wine Guide: A Mine of Information from Peter Dominic

Director of Peter Dominic Vintners for 15 years, Hogg's credentials are impressive; yet it is his charm and wit that make this volume noteworthy. The book is traditionally organized: a chapter on wine making (including explanations of techniques and grape types), followed by a discussion of wine-producing countries of the world, with the major producers subdivided into regions. France is revered, Germany and Italy are beloved, and poor Switzerland is dismissed in two sentences. The remaining chapters cover wine and health, wine merchants and buying, and how to serve and drink wine. Hogg's advice is opinionated and sound, and his delivery can be stunning. Though the book is accessible to beginners, veteran oenophiles will undoubtedly learn quite a bit. Note: first released in England, this guide contains some information that will be of little value to the American wine consumer. (April)