Wine Made Easy

Does the crowded wine-appreciation section of the bookstore really need to squeeze another entry onto the shelf? Surprisingly, yes: a book as clear, polished and interesting as British wine expert Atkins's will turn any old plonk-swiller into an accomplished oenophile. Edited with a sure hand, this compilation of tips, facts and tasting notes treats the often staid world of wine with a welcome sense of humor. In a two-page primer on opening and decanting bottles, the editor notes, “Watch that wine waiter and you'll see that he never... places the bottle between his knees for maximum pull!” The most useful part of this book is the world tour of wine regions, with stops in France, Italy, Chile, New Zealand and anywhere else that grows great grapes, imparting smart, quotable points of interest along the way: “The definition of the word 'quality' is stretched to extremes in Germany”; “user-friendly packaging counts a lot toward Australia's success.” The book also includes diagrams of different wine labels—the delicious California Ridge Montebello, for instance—explicating what each part of the label means. Complete with a glossary, a list of frequently asked questions, and even a brief guide to wine and pregnancy, this book is as serious about demystifying wine as it is about the pleasures of a great bottle. (Apr.)