"Associations and societies such as the Bordeaux Club are the very acme of civilization. Botticelli and Bach were engaged in the eternal quest for truth and beauty in painting and music, and the Bordeaux Club did the same for viniculture." - Andrew Roberts The story of 12 friends who gathered to share and celebrate the extraordinary wines of Bordeaux. Like-minded in their love of wine, they differed wildly (often alarmingly!) in their personal wealth, life and circumstances - their opinions, always voiced, had the power to ignite anger and divide friendships just as easily as they bound them together. Neil McKendrick, member and minute-taker for 57 of the Club's 70 extraordinary years, weaves the tale of this convivial group with the rigour of a Cambridge academic (he is ex-Master of Gonville and Caius) and the humour of a born raconteur. Alongside the likes of Hugh Johnson, Steven Spurrier and Michael Broadbent, he celebrates the beauty of top-class Bordeaux and the splendour of each setting - from glorious country park to rickety Dickensian boardroom - in which these men were lucky enough to dine, serving up memories of vintages the like of which we will never see again.

Wherever and whenever people have been found talking, they have been found drinking: an age-old pastime with an equally storied history. Alcohol and civilization have developed in close quarters, sometimes supporting each other and sometimes getting in each other's way. The School of Sophisticated Drinking, which began as an ongoing series of lectures at Berlin's legendary Victoria Bar in 2003, traces the deep-seated lineage of drinking in the social, political, and even scientific developments of our culture. Appealing to both expert drinkers and novice barflies, each chapter delves into the sociopolitical significance of and technological innovations behind a familiar wine or spirit--brandy, vodka, whisky, rum, gin, tequila, and champagne--and shares plenty of tales of adventure, from the glamour of Hollywood and Broadway, to the tormented worlds of well-known writers, to the outbreak of wars and the unending struggle for economic and military power. The reader's thirst for knowledge can be further quenched by trying any or all of the enticing cocktail recipes gathered at the end of the book.

**2021 Gourmand Cookbook Award Winner for Japan in Spirits and Other Drinks** The Japanese Sake Bible is the ultimate book about Japan's national drink--from its history, culture and production methods to how to choose the best sake and recommended food pairings. Author Brian Ashcraft--the author of the popular guide Japanese Whisky--has put together lively commentaries based on dozens of interviews with master brewers and sake experts across Japan. His fascinating stories are accompanied by over 300 full-color photographs, maps and drawings. A unique feature of this book is that it includes reviews, tasting notes, scores and a buying guide for over 100 of the leading sake brands, written by respected Japanese sake expert Takashi Eguchi. These include all the sakes most commonly found outside Japan. Each sake has a photo of the label, tasting notes, a score and recommended food pairings. Information on the leading brewers is provided, and the sakes are grouped by flavor profile. Japanese sake is brewed worldwide today and is winning over many converts. A foreword by sake connoisseur and world-renowned DJ Richie Hawtin addresses the spread in global popularity and the shared mission of making this specialty beverage as accessible as possible. With the help of this book you'll soon become an expert in selecting, serving and enjoying Japan's favorite drink.

Anthologin is the product of a fortuitous encounter that brought together Samuele Ambrosi, an internationally renowned, multi-award-winning barman with a stellar resume, Maurizio Maestrelli, esteemed journalist and author of several books on beer and spirits, and Serena Conti, fine illustrator and designer whose collaborations have extended far beyond Italy's borders. It tells the fascinating story of gin, that most popular of spirits whose long, seductive history transcends aromas and flavour, technical traits and production systems. It's a story brimming with fascinating anecdotes on gin's origins and evolution, political and economic influences, and episodes involving famous figures. And it is this "behind the scenes" knowledge that renders every sip of gin so special, realisations that help us better appreciate the rebirth of mixology and the revived interest in gin. Today you hold the definitive gin guide in your hands.

THE ONLY BOOK THAT PRESENTS FOOD AND WINE PAIRING FROM A CULINARY AND SENSORY PERSPECTIVE.

Demystifying the terminology and methodology of matching wine to food, "Food and Wine Pairing: A Sensory Experience" presents a practical, user-friendly approach grounded in understanding the direct relationships and reactions between food and wine components, flavors, and textures. This approach uses sensory analysis to help the practitioner identify key elements that affect pairings, rather than simply following the usual laundry list of wine-to-food matches. The text takes a culinary perspective first, making it a unique resource for culinary students and professionals.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRING: Lays out the basics of wine evaluation and the hierarchy of taste concepts Establishes the foundation taste components of sweet, sour, slat, and bitter in food, and dry, acidity, and effervescence in wine, and looks at how these components relate to one another Discusses wine texture, and the results of their interactions with one another Examines the impact that spice, flavor type, flavor intensity, and flavor persistency have one the quality of wine and food matches Includes exercises to improve skills relating to taste identification and palate mapping Provides a systematic process for predicting successful matches using sequential and mixed tasting methods Gives guidance on pairing wine with foods such as cheese and various desserts, as well as service issues such as training and menu/wine list development

"Food and Wine Paring" provides students and professionals with vivid and dynamic learning features to bring the matching process to life with detail and clarity. real-world examplesinclude menus and tasting notes from renowned restaurants, as well as Aperitifs or vignettes portraying culinary notables - both individuals and organizations - which set their wine parings in a complete gastronomical, regional, and cultural context.

Culinary students making their initial foray into understanding paring will appreciate the reader-friendly and comprehensive approach taken by Food and Wine Pairing. More advanced students, instructors, and culinary professionals will find this text to be an unparalleled tool for developing their matching process and honing their tasting instinct.

Are you done with generic gin and tonics, mediocre Manhattans and basic martinis? You can use pantry staples and basic liquors to produce more than 200 game-changing craft cocktails worthy of a seat at the bar. Many cocktail books call for hard-to-find ingredients and complicated techniques that can frustrate home cocktail makers. Shake Strain Done shows a better way: * If you can shake, strain, stir and turn on a blender, you can make great cocktails. * No tedious secondary recipes hidden between the lines. * No mysteries. You'll know what each drink will taste like before you pick up a bottle. * No fancy equipment needed. A shaker, strainer and spoon are as exotic as it gets. * The ingredients are mostly pantry and bar staples--things you already have on hand. Every drink is rated by its characteristics--Warm, Refreshing, Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Fruity, Herbal, Creamy, Spicy, Strong and Smoky--to help expand your horizons and find more drinks to love. These are drinks with the sophistication of a high-end speakeasy, minus the fuss, like: * The Sazerac 2.0 - a spice cabinet update that takes the classic back to its origins * A new White Russian that lightens the load with coconut water instead of cream * A grownup Singapore Sling that's fruity without tasting like fruit punch * A Scorched Margarita that uses the broiler to char those lemons and limes * A feisty new Gin and Tonic in which black pepper is the star ingredient * And plenty of originals, like the Pooh Bear. Butter, honey and bourbon? Yes, please! And Mistakes Were Made, for tiki time

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An ancient Chinese legend: Once there was a man who knew 100,000 healing properties of herbs. He taught his son 80,000 secrets. On his deathbed, he told his son to visit his grave in five years, and there he would find the other 20,000 secrets. When the son went to his father's grave, he found, growing on the site, the tea shrub....

Teas are the gentle, natural, most beneficial way to absorb the healing properties of herbs--easily and inexpensively. A simple cup of tea not only has the power to soothe and relax but to deliver healing herbal agents to the bloodstream more quickly than capsules, tinctures, or infusions. Feeling tired? Rose hip tea will rev you up and beautify your skin. Need some help with your diet? Ginger tea will provide the boost you need and help aching joints too. Hot or iced, these pure and simple drinks offer delicious ways to stay healthy and revitalize you from the inside out. This unique guide offers:

An A-Z listing of common ailments followed by the teas best used to treat them
Instructions on how to create your own medicinal kitchen
Advice on creating your own tea blends
Descriptions of the top 100 herbs and their secret healing properties
And much, much more!

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.

Adventures with Old Vines offers an engaging and knowledgeable guide to demystify wine for novice enthusiasts. Richard Chilton provides detailed information about buying and storing wine, how to read a wine list, the role of the sommelier, wine fraud, how wine is really made, and how weather patterns can influence the quality of a vintage. A vineyard owner and lifelong wine lover, the author encourages readers to discover wine by tasting, taking notes, and tasting again. The book also includes a richly illustrated, full-color reference section on a select group of vineyards from all over the world, describing their history, winemaking philosophy, terroir, and top vintages-what Chilton calls benchmark wines. The characteristics of these memorable wines provide the essential starting point to understand what to look for when evaluating any wine. Equipped with this easy-to-read reference, readers will have all the tools they need to begin their own wine journey.

'This book is dangerous: I had a Boulevardier in my hand five minutes after opening it' Victoria Moore, Wine correspondent, the Daily Telegraph and BBC Good Food 'Cocktail making demystified at last! What a useful book' India Knight The cocktail scene has exploded in recent years and the bars are booming. From the classics to modern-day twists with infused spirits and tonics, vermouths and bitters, ordering a cocktail at the bar has never been so much fun. Which is great news for some but if, like the author, you really don't get out much, then it can feel like you're missing out on all the fun. Until now. Helen McGinn's Homemade Cocktails is full of recipes, hints and tips to help you re-write your at-home cocktail repertoire. From classics to the latest in cocktail fashions, this book helps you raise the bar whether it's to impress your guests or simply treat yourself. You'll find ways to use up what's in those bottles lurking at the back of the cupboard and knock up a fabulous cocktail in no time, adding instant glamour to any occasion.

The Book of Tea describes all aspects of the Japanese tea ceremony and explains how its rituals blend seamlessly with traditional Japanese life.

Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition has an afterword by Anna Sherman and delightful illustrations by Sayuri Romei.

This short book, written in English by a Japanese scholar and artist, was first published in 1906 at a time when Japan was opening up to Western culture. In response to that, Okakura Kakuzo set out to explain the beauty and simplicity of Japanese daily life which was greatly inspired by teaism. He describes in detail the different aspects of the tea ceremony, how it was founded, the role of the tea masters, the architecture of the tea-room and the stages of making and serving the tea. He then goes on to explain the connection between Taoism and Zennism with tea and he also writes chapters on art appreciation and the art of flower arranging.

"Rich in history and admirable scholarship. . . . It's a fine grande champagne of a book, to be savored over and over."
-Patricia Wells, author of The Provence Cookbook
Called the "brandy of the gods" by Victor Hugo, Cognac is a universal symbol of refinement and quality. In the first comprehensive history of this celebrated drink, Kyle Jarrard charts Cognac's birth in the 1500s and its transformation into the world's most coveted brandy. Along the way, he reveals how Cognac distillers weathered vineyard die-offs, the German occupation, and other challenges over the years-and offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Hennessy, Remy-Martin, Courvoisier, Martell, and other legendary brands.
For any Cognac lover, this fascinating book will make the perfect gift.
Kyle Jarrard (Paris, France) is a senior editor at the International Herald Tribune and author of the highly acclaimed novels Over There and Rolling the Bones.

Pour yourself the perfect drink-or make a round for your guests. Making drinks at home has never been easier. In this guide to the perennial favorites and forgotten classics, YouTube's favorite Aussie mixologist Steve the Bartender shows you how to craft cocktails with ease. Approachable and unpretentious instructions ensure that every drink is simple and delicious. - Guidance on building a home bar, from the essential spirits to mixing equipment and glassware - 125 curated drink recipes for every occasion, from Manhattans to Mai Tais. - Photographs of every recipe and integrated QR codes linking to videos of Steve preparing each drink.

In his new book, Gordon M. Shepherd expands on the startling discovery that the brain creates the taste of wine. This approach to understanding wine's sensory experience draws on findings in neuroscience, biomechanics, human physiology, and traditional enology. Shepherd shows, just as he did in Neurogastronomy: How the Brain Creates Flavor and Why It Matters, that creating the taste of wine engages more of the brain than does any other human behavior. He clearly illustrates the scientific underpinnings of this process, along the way enhancing our enjoyment of wine. Neuroenology is the first book on wine tasting by a neuroscientist. It begins with the movements of wine through the mouth and then consults recent research to explain the function of retronasal smell and its extraordinary power in creating wine taste. Shepherd comprehensively explains how the specific sensory pathways in the cerebral cortex create the memory of wine and how language is used to identify and imprint wine characteristics. Intended for a broad audience of readers-from amateur wine drinkers to sommeliers, from casual foodies to seasoned chefs-Neuroenology shows how the emotion of pleasure is the final judge of the wine experience. It includes practical tips for a scientifically informed wine tasting and closes with a delightful account of Shepherd's experience tasting classic Bordeaux vintages with French winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet of the Chateau Petrus and Dominus Estate.

Tea is arguably the most popular beverage in the world, but there s more to know beyond the colorful boxes sold at your local grocery store. Like wine and beer, each tea variety has its own distinct history, source, and flavor profile, from Darjeeling to matcha to Silver Needle. Tea is also embedded in the traditions of many cultures around the world and is shared with others through distinctive ceremonies that include unique customs, foods, and accessories. Within the pages of this pocket-sized guide, you ll find information, how-tos, and trivia for tea lovers of all levels. Experts and newbies alike will learn about: Tea Bags vs. Loose Leaf How to Prepare Tea Tea Families and Common Varieties Tea Traditions around the World How to Host an Afternoon Tea for Adults How to Throw a Tea Party for Children And more! Series Overview: Each volume in the Stuff series tells you everything you should know to navigate life s key topics, trends, and milestones. From telling jokes, cooking vegetarian, or tending a garden to getting through college, planning a wedding, or becoming a grandparent, you ll find all the answers in this concise but comprehensive pocket-sized package.

Taste real magic. Drawing on her eclectic craft, harnessing influences from Wiccan and rootwork practices, Anais Alexandre shares a collection of delicious potions for the modern witch. From potent cocktails, to restorative elixirs and captivating brews, this book of drinkable spells offers the powers of time-honoured wisdom in truly delectable form. Each potion is accompanied by a simple ritual to supercharge its effectiveness, whether as a solitary witch or with your coven. Sip on a subtle love potion, draw monetary fortune your way with a lucky prosperi-tea, or spread friendship vibes with a warming party punch; as the wheel of the year turns, discover your own craft through the magic of mixology.

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.