Country & Townhouse's Best Book for Christmas, 2018 A delectable anthology celebrating the finest writing on wine. In this richly literary anthology, Jay McInerney - bestselling novelist and acclaimed wine columnist for Town & Country, the Wall Street Journal and House and Garden - selects over twenty pieces of memorable fiction and nonfiction about the making, selling and, of course, drinking of fine wine. Including excerpts from novels, short fiction, memoir and narrative nonfiction, Wine Reads features big names in the trade and literary heavyweights alike. We follow Kermit Lynch to the Northern Rhone, while long-time New Yorker writer A. J. Liebling raises feeding and imbibing on a budget in Paris into something of an art form. Michael Dibdin's fictional Venetian detective Aurelio Zen gets a lesson in Barolo, Barbaresco and Brunello vintages from an eccentric celebrity, and writer and gourmet Joseph Wechsberg visits the medieval Chateau d'Yquem to sample different years of the roi des vins. Also showcasing an iconic scene from Rex Pickett's Sideways and work by Jancis Robinson, Roald Dahl, Auberon Waugh and McInerney himself, this is an essential volume for any disciple of Bacchus.

In need of some gin-spiration? Look no further! Whether you are a gin aficionado or simply gin-curious, this book from the experts at Craft Gin Club contains everything you'll ever need to know about the juniper spirit. With recipes for refreshing ice-cold punches through to warming winter serves, marinated main courses to delicious desserts, Gin O'Clock proves it's always a good time for gin, no matter the season. Packed with tips including: * Hosting the perfect gin-tasting * Growing your own garnishes * Making simple syrups * Creating your own gin truffles This is the definitive seasonal guide to gin exploration.

An essential reference guide to port, this book is recommended reading for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and other certification programmes. It describes the unique features of the Douro Valley, the cycle of work in the vineyards, historical production techniques and more recent innovations, and the role of the wine lodges where port matures before being shipped to its worldwide markets. Ben Howkins offers a concise history of port and the port trade as they have developed over the last 300 years. He covers important changes in recent ownership of the major shippers and highlights the people driving change in the industry while protecting port's heritage.

Bourbon is America's favourite spirit and has been for more than a decade. Eric Zandona - spirits specialist at the American Distilling Institute - explores the history, craft and rich flavour of this distinctive spirit. The Little Book of Bourbon, the perfect drinker's companion; delves into this wonderful world and offers everything you need to know at a glance about Bourbon - from how it is made, how to drink it like a pro and the key things you need to understand when buying a bottle. The Little Book of Bourbon also features 20 classic cocktail recipes, from an Old Fashioned to a Manhattan or Whiskey Sour.

There is no other wine that is as versatile, as utterly unique in its range and production methods--and, unfortunately, as misunderstood--as sherry. For centuries, sherry was considered one of the world's great wines, spoken about in the same reverential terms as the finest Bordeaux and Burgundies. But in the last few decades, sherry lost its way--and cheap, cloyingly sweet blends sullied the reputation of what remains one of Spain's oldest and greatest winemaking traditions.
Thankfully, sherry is in the midst of a renaissance. Beloved of sommeliers and bartenders in the craft cocktail community, today sherry is being re-discovered and re-appreciated as an incredible table wine "and "essential component of many classic cocktails.
"Sherry "is essential reading for wine or spirits professionals looking to incorporate this complex wine into their menu, and for adventurous drink enthusiasts who are on the hunt for something unexpected. With a comprehensive yet accessible overview of the different styles of sherry, how they are made, and the people and places that produce it, "Sherry "demystifies what can be a confusing (and seemingly contradictory) wine. A thorough buyer's guide lists top producers and profiles the very best bodegas and wines.
Finally, a whole chapter on sherry-based cocktails illuminates a completely different side of sherry, featuring classic recipes like the Tuxedo and Sherry Cobbler, as well as modern creations from the country's top bartenders (Jim Meehan's East India Negroni, Derek Brown's Kojo Cocktail). More than a dozen recipes for tapas and other delicious foods--best eaten alongside a glass of sherry, of course--round out this wonderfully eclectic, engaging, and inspiring collection.

Michael Broadbent, wine critic, writer, auctioneer and much-admired expert revolutionised the wine trade with his first edition of Wine Tasting in 1968 and has continued to capture the magic of wine for over 50 years, bringing it to the page and to the public in compelling detail, always tinged with his uniquely wry sense of humour. Michael's original text (from the 1975 edition) updated with the latest vintages and footnotes revealing Michael's reactions to the changing wine scene. Personal tributes to Michael from Hugh Johnson OBE, Jancis Robinson OBE MW, Steven Spurrier, the late Gerard Basset OBE MW MS, and international wine auctioneers Paul Bowker and Fritz Hatton. "He had added what the wine trade had lacked; a veneer of scholarship, and a dealer of genius." - Hugh Johnson "A must read" - Ian Harris, CEO of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust

A Freewheeling History of the All-American Drink

A Manhattan or a Sazerac; neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of soda - no matter how it's served up, whiskey is synonymous with the poet's inspiration and the devil's spirit. Be it bourbon, rye, corn, Irish, or Scotch, whiskey has an infamous and celebrated history from a sometimes lethal, herb-infused concoction to a high-quality, meticulously crafted liquor. In Whiskey, Kevin R. Kosar delivers an informative, concise narrative of the drink's history, from its obscure medieval origins to the globally traded product that it is today. Focusing on three nations - Scotland, Ireland, and America - Kosar charts how the technique of distillation moved from ancient Egypt to the British Isles. Contrary to popular claims, there were no good old days of whiskey: before the twentieth century, consumers could never be sure just what was being poured in their cup - unscrupulous profiteers could distil anything into booze and pawn it off as whiskey. Eventually, government and industry established legal definitions of what whiskey is and how it could be made, allowing for the distinctive styles of whiskey known today. Whiskey explains what whiskey is, how it is made, and how the types of whiskey differ. With a list of suggested brands and classic cocktail recipes for the thirsty reader, this book is perfect for drink and food enthusiasts and history lovers alike.

Fortnum & Mason Food & Drink Awards Drink Book of the Year 2015. Annual Spirited Awards - Nominated for Best New Spirits Book 2015. Today's world of spirits is experiencing an explosive increase in craft distillers and pioneers of new distillates. It's about men and women tearing up rule books and creating new spirits with extraordinary personality and passion. This book uncovers the best spirits the world has to offer. These are not necessarily the best-known examples on the planet - though if they are good, they have a place here - but the best crafted and most interesting. Spirit by spirit Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley explain what you need to know to appreciate a spirit - its ingredients, its classic forms, the choices a distiller makes in creating it - and offer their picks to 'Drink Before You Expire' - the world's best examples of their type, from gin and rum to shochu and tequila. There are plenty of suggestions for how to drink too, with innovative and classic cocktails and their insider tips on getting the best out of your spirits.

There are hundreds and hundreds of different cocktails, but there are classics such as the Martini, Corpse Reviver, Tom Collins, Negroni and French 75 that have one luscious ingredient in common: gin. Here in The Little Black Book of Gin Cocktails you'll find a collection of all your favourite classic and contemporary gin cocktails.

This is the drinker's guide to every aspect of whisky, from Scotch to Japanese, rye to bourbon and beyond. With hundreds of entries covering everything from history, ingredients and distilling techniques to flavour notes, cocktails and the many varieties of whisky from all around the world, renowned whisky expert Ian Wisniewski explores and unlocks the wonderful world of a drink like no other. Entries include... Ageing Process Bourbon Craft Movement Fermentation Flavour Compounds Irish Whiskey Japanese Whiskey Master Distiller Old Fashioned Organic Whisky Prohibition Tasting Techniques Wine Casks ...and many more.

Mead is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey and water with yeast. A glass of lightly chilled mead on a summer's evening is a splendid delight. And yet, of all the crafts of mankind, mead-making is certainly one of the oldest. It is likely that mead was made even before the wheel was invented as stone-age cave paintings depict the collection of honey from bee colonies. The drink made from honey became a staple of Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval and Renaissance Britain. This practical book will inspire you to take up this admirable craft. It includes chapters on honey selection, mead-making techniques, and forty-two recipes for mead, melomel (using honey mixed with fruit juice), pyment (honey mixed with grapes), hippocras (honey mixed with grapes and herbs), metheglin (spiced medicinal mead), cyser (honey mixed with apples) and other honey drinks.

Discover why rum is becoming the hottest spirit in the world right now with the latest and greatest offering from bestselling author and master mixologist Tristan Stephenson. The Curious Bartender's Rum Revolution is the fifth book by bestselling author Tristan Stephenson. Explore rum's remarkable history from its humble origins to its status as life-blood of the Royal Navy and its love affair with Cuba. Discover its darker past, with tales of devils, pirates and its reputation as the revolutionary spirit. This fabled drink is in the midst of another revolution, transforming from uninspiring grog to premium product, with aged and spiced varieties leading the charge. Learn about how rum is made, from the science of sugar cane and molasses to distillation and unique ageing techniques. The Rum Tour will transport you to the most exciting rum distilleries the world has to offer, with Tristan's signature tasting notes guiding you towards the right rum at the right time. Explore the legendary Caribbean home of rum to the pioneering rum makers around the world embracing dynamic new techniques and taking flavour to dizzy new heights. Finally, Tristan's mixology skills will help you master jazzed-up versions of the Mai Tai and Mojito, perfect a Planter's Punch and keep you on trend with Brazil's famous Caipirinha and Batida cocktails, made with rum's sister spirit, cachaca.

This book on single malt whisky makes an excellent guide for all whisky drinkers, from the novice to the connoisseur. Single malt whisky is the fastest expanding sector of the booming whisky market. Over half of Scotland's whisky distilleries are open to visitors and visitor numbers reached record numbers of over 1.7 million in 2016. Whisky Classified has revolutionized our appreciation of single malt whisky. David Wishart cuts through the confusing jargon often used to describe single malts and replaces it with an objective and easily applied guide to taste using his easy to understand system of flavour profiles. He identifies twelve dimensions to the aroma and taste of a single malt whisky: body, sweetness, smoky, medicinal, tobacco, honey, spicy, winey, nutty, malty, fruity, floral. In this fully revised and updated edition, David Wishart has included all new UK and Irish producers of single malt whisky. The author has also updated the taste profiles for each selected malt to ensure that this book remains the definitive guide to tasting malt whisky. Each entry includes a short description of the distillery, information for visitors, the author's own tasting notes and his flavour profiles according to this innovative classification. The history of whisky-making and production methods are clearly explained, and the author also explains how to organize a whisky tasting.

Explore the Northeast through the most notable wineries, breweries, and distilleries in the region! Drink the Northeast is your guide to the wineries, breweries, and distilleries that call the Northeast home. Explore the region and celebrate its rich history while discovering your new favorite drink. This guide is perfect for anyone who appreciates enjoying a carefully crafted drink in the rolling hills or bustling cities of the Northeast.

For centuries a bastion of tradition and the jewel in the crown of French viticulture, Bordeaux has in recent years become dogged by controversy, particularly regarding the 2012 classification of the wines of St.-Emilion, the most prestigious appellation of Bordeaux's right bank. St.-Emilion is an area increasingly dominated by big international investors, especially from China, who are keen to speculate on the area's wines and land, some of whose value has increased tenfold in the last decade alone. In the controversial 2012 classification, certain chateaux were promoted to a more prestigious class because of insider deals that altered the scoring system for the classification of wines into premier crus and grand crus. This system now takes into account the facilities of each chateau's tasting room, the size of its warehouse, and even the extent of its parking lot. The quality of the wine counts for just 30% of the total score for the wines of the top ranking, those deemed premier grand cru classe A. In Vino Business, Saporta shows how back-room deals with wine distributors, multinational investors like the luxury company LVMH, and even wine critics, have fundamentally changed this ancient business. Saporta also investigates issues of wine labelling and the use of pesticides, and draws comparisons to Champagne, Burgundy and the rest of the wine world. Based on two years of research and reporting, Vino Business draws back the curtain on the secret world of Bordeaux, a land ever more in thrall to the grapes of wealth.

A handsome and comprehensive bartending guide for professional and home bartenders that includes history, lore, and 150 recipes.
What's the difference between and martini and a gibson? Does absinthe really cause insanity? Which type of glass should a moscow mule be served in? "The Bar Bible" answers all of these questions and more, with fascinating information about everything boozy that's good to drink. From author and "Wine Spectator"contributing editor Jennifer Fiedler, this book presents essential bartending information, from the tools of the trade to the history and mythology behind classic cocktails in an easy-to-navigate alphabetical guide.

From Scratch: Brew includes recipes and top tips on everything you need to know to make your own beer from scratch. Making good beer at home is easy, and oh so cheap. From Scratch: Brew takes the novice beer-enthusiast by the hand and talks you through every last step of the process.

The craft beer revolution is upon us. All over the world we're enjoying bottles of American craft, old Belgian, real British ale and exquisite German lager, and you can make it all for yourself. You don't need to go out and buy loads of kit. With a plastic bucket or two, you can make beer as good as any beer in the entire world and customize it to your own tastes.

Extracting from and updating his book Brew, James Morton offers comprehensive sections on how and what you need to get started, bottling and storing, a glossary of key ingredient types, troubleshooting tips and proven beer recipes that result in complex flavors; every taste and skill level is catered for.

From Scratch: Brew isn't like other brewing books. It is for those who have never brewed and want to understand more, for those who have a basic grasp and a few beers under their belt, and it is for those with experience who want inspiration to continue to grow. Text is extracted and updated from Brew: The Foolproof Guide to Making World-Class Beer at Home by James Morton.

Whisky enthusiasts all over the world look forward to the Malt Whisky Yearbook every autumn. This 11th edition is again fully revised and packed with new and up-to-date information on more than 300 whisky distilleries from all over the world. Distinguished whisky experts contribute with new features written exclusively for this new edition along with details of hundreds of whisky shops, whisky sites and new bottlings. Whisky profiles from around the world explain how whisky in enjoyed in their respective countries. The Independent Bottlers chapter gives you all the details about the world's most successful blenders and bottlers complete with tasting notes. A comprehensive summary of the whisky year that was and all the latest statistics is also included. Malt Whisky Yearbook 2016 includes more than 250 tasting notes describing the flavour of single malts from all working distilleries in Scotland and Japan. Finally, with more than 500 colour photographs, Malt Whisky Yearbook 2016 is as much an essential reference guide as a book to read for pleasure.

From their restaurant in Speyside the authors have created a range of recipes, each using Scotch whisky to compliment or contrast the food.