A richly illustrated account of the story of ancient viniculture The history of civilization is, in many ways, the history of wine. This book is the first comprehensive account of the earliest stages of the history and prehistory of viniculture, which extends back into the Neolithic period and beyond. Elegantly written and richly illustrated, Ancient Wine opens up whole new chapters in the fascinating story of wine by drawing on recent archaeological discoveries, molecular and DNA sleuthing, and the writings and art of ancient peoples. In a new afterword, the author discusses exciting recent developments in the understanding of ancient wine, including a new theory of how viniculture came to central and northern Europe.

A short course in wine appreciation that’s easy, practical, and fun

What’s the difference between a Chardonnay and a Sauvignon Blanc? Can you ever serve red wine with fish? In this fast, focused primer, wine experts Ian Blackburn and Allison Levine answer these and dozens of other basic wine questions, sharing their enthusiasm and giving people the know-how they need to stop worrying about wine and start enjoying it.

Ian Blackburn (Los Angeles, CA) has taught more than 10,000 people about wine through his courses and seminars. He is a consulting wine educator for Cordon Bleu California School of Culinary Arts and founder of the LearnAboutWine Web site.
Allison Levine (Los Angeles, CA) is the Director of Marketing, Public Relations, and Events for the LearnAboutWine Web site and also holds a position on the local board of the American Institute of Wine and Food.

Learn what you need to know about wine-in a single evening
Though more and more Americans enjoy wine each year, many still feel intimidated by the subject. The image of the wine snob - swirling glass in hand, taking luxurious sniffs, and spouting obscure factoids about the vintage - persists, making the rest of us feel lost in a seemingly elite world.
In fact, anyone and everyone can appreciate wine. The Learning Annex Presents the Pleasure of Wine is a straightforward guide that squeezes a seminar's worth of information into a book and answers questions such as:
* What are the different types of wine?
* What kinds of wine come from France, Italy, North America, Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, and South America?
* How do I taste wine, and how do I pair wine with food?
* What are some fun ways to integrate wine into my life?

Full of sidebars and other special features, The Learning Annex Presents the Pleasure of Wine gives you the tools and knowledge you need to select, judge, and enj oy wine - and all in a single night's reading

La Fee Verte (or "The Green Fairy") has intoxicated artists, poets, and writers ever since the late eighteenth century. Stories abound of absinthe's druglike sensations of mood lift and inspiration due to the presence of wormwood, its infamous "special" ingredient, which ultimately leads to delirium, homicidal mania, and death. Opening with the sensational 1905 Absinthe Murdres, Phil Baker offers a cultural history of absinthe, from its modest origins as an herbal tonic through its luxuriantly morbid heyday in the late nineteenth century. Chronicling a fascinatintly lurid cast of historical characters who often died young, the absinthe scrapbook includes Paul Verlaine, Arthur Rimbaud, Charles Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde, Ernest Dowson, Aleister Crowley, Arthur machen, August Strindberg, Alfred Jarry, Vincent van Gogh, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Alphonse Allais, Ernest Hemingway, and Pablo Picasso. Along with discussing the rituals and modus operandi of absinthe drinking, Baker reveals the recently discovered pharmacology of how real absinthe actually works on the nervous system, and he tests the various real and fake absinthe products that are available overseas. Written with "seductive verve and gentle insight" (Times Literary Supplement), The Book of Absinthe is a witty, erudite primer to the world's most notorious drink.

75 Do-It-Yourself Hot Chocolate Bomb Recipes for Kids and Adults! Hot cocoa bombs are chocolate truffles filled with hot cocoa mix and other goodies-mini marshmallows, crushed peppermint candies, salted caramel sauce-that melt into a warm mug of milk and create a fabulous cup of hot cocoa. The bombs themselves can be beautiful, cute, festive, or imaginative, and the flavor combinations are just as diverse. Recipes included in this book are easy to follow and make creating DIY hot cocoa bombs almost as much fun as drinking the gourmet hot chocolate they result in. Find flavors and designs such as: Pumpkin Spice Cocoa Bombs Salted Caramel Deluxe Cocoa Bombs Sweet Spring Maple Cocoa Bombs Chocolate Cheesecake Cocoa Bombs Mermaid Hot Cocoa Bombs Gorgeous Glitter Cocoa Bombs Dragon Fruit Power Pink Cocoa Bombs Amaretto Cocoa Bombs Unicorn Party Cocoa Bombs Candy Cane Cocoa Bombs Robin's Egg Cocoa Bombs Cookie Dough Cocoa Bombs And more! Hot cocoa bombs are perfect for gifting, fun to make with kids, and are going to take your usual cup of hot chocolate to the next level!

Holiday Cocktails provides dozens of foolproof ideas for successful entertaining at home, including the basics of cocktail making, choosing the right drink for the right occasion, and serving cocktails for a crowd. It's packed with easy-to-follow recipes for seasonal favourites, from nogs to grogs, as well as classics with a twist that work year-round, such as old-fashioneds and martinis, coffee-based drinks to serve in lieu of dessert, and even nonalcoholic cocktails that are a treat unto themselves. This is the perfect book to pull off the shelf year after year when you want to make any occasion a little more festive. Holiday Cocktails, Holiday Cookies, and Party Food, three new titles in the Artisanal Kitchen series, provide an indispensable arsenal of recipes that cover all the bases for a delicious holiday season.

The world of wine is more welcoming than ever in this short but comprehensive guide! Calling all wine newbies and wine nerds: This illustrated guide is refreshing as a rose and flavourful as a merlot. As Madelyne Meyer would be the first to tell you, you don't need a book to enjoy wine . . . but knowing more about your favourite glassful can be a pleasure all its own. In Welcome to Wine, Meyer pairs her expert knowledge with 200 witty, whimsical illustrations that make all the essentials crystal clear - so you can get to the good part sooner! Food pairings and the art of wine tasting Serving temperature (without getting hung up on precision!) Key wine regions and exactly how wine is made From choosing wine for a date night to training your nose to pick up "notes," this is the friendliest guide to wine.

Jay McInerney on wine? Yes, Jay McInerney on wine! The best-selling novelist has turned his command of language and flair for metaphor on the world of wine, providing this sublime collection of untraditional musings on wine and wine culture that is as fit for someone looking for “a nice Chardonnay” as it is for the oenophile.

On champagne: “Is Dom Pérignon worth four bottles of Mo‘t & Chandon? If you are a connoisseur, a lover, a snob, or the owner of a large oceangoing craft, the answer . . . is probably yes.”
On the difficulty of picking a wine for a vegetarian meal: “Like boys and girls locked away in same-sex prep schools, most wines yearn for a bit of flesh.”
On telling the difference between Burgundy and Bordeaux: “If it’s red, French, costs too much, and tastes like the water that’s left in the vase after the flowers have died, it’s probably Burgundy.”
On the fungus responsible for the heavenly flavor of the dessert wine called Sauternes: “Not since Baudelaire smoked opium has corruption resulted in such beauty.”

Includes new material plus recommendations on the world’s most romantic wines and the best wines to pair with a meal

A beautifully packaged look at the world's finest whiskies, with detailed photography of each bottle Rare Whisky is a stylish exploration of the world's finest and rarest whiskies, exquisitely packaged in a hardback book with slipcase. This book looks at the most exceptional whiskies across the world, focusing on key producers such as Scotland, Ireland, the USA and Japan, as well as interesting rarities from the likes of India and Taiwan. This book is beautifully designed to highlight the unique qualities of each and every exceptional whisky featured within. Whether you want to brush up on the classics, hunt down the rarities or find out the rich history of any number of whiskies, this is the book for you. Once you acquire a taste for the vast knowledge included in this book, you will be eager to take a trip around the world of whisky right away! With beautiful photography of extremely rare bottles, from a breathtaking 1920s vintage sold at auction to the best offerings from recent years, Rare Whisky is essential reading for all whisky lovers.

An Insider's Guide to Craft Beer the World's Greatest Drink "Brad and Jonny make understanding beer easy and nearly as fun as drinking it." James Watt, founder of Brewdog. #1 Best Seller in Beer Beer has come a long way in the 6,000 years since the first taste. The legends of the craft beer industry have made sure everyone's within reach of the perfect pint. But how do you get the right brew for you? And can you learn to make a beer that adds to the lager legacy? Beers of the world. Welcome to Beer School, brought to you by the heroes of YouTube sensation the Craft Beer Channel, a guide to everything you need to know about the wide and wonderful beers of the world. In Beer School, Jonny and Brad explain the intricacies of the finest artisan craft brews including: ales, lagers, porters, stouts, IPSs, and bitters. How to make beer. The lads have the inside scoop on everything from hop varieties and barrel aging, to serving temperatures and glassware. Beer School helps you learn how to make beer and how to get the most out of every sip. Learn about grain, mash, water, hops, boil, yeast, fermentation, serving, storing, pouring, and tasting. If you have read books such as The Complete Beer Course by Joshua M. Bernstein or The Beer Bible by Jeff Alworth, you'll love Beer School by Jonny Garrett and Brad Evans.

What links Fidel Castro, pirates from the Caribbean and George Washington? Rum. A Rum Tale: Spirit of the New World is a look at the history of one of the Caribbean's most famous and favourite drinks. From its start as a by-product of a mysterious plant called 'sugar cane' to twentieth-century bootlegging, smuggling and prohibition, rum's heritage is as rich as its flavour - so pour yourself a drink and turn the page.

'Love love love this book. It doesn't just simplify wine, it simplifies life. Essential reading.' – India Knight

• Do you frequently panic in the wine aisle and end up reaching for the same old thing. Every. Single. Time?
• Have you found yourself picking the bottle with the nicest-looking label?
• Do you automatically pick the second-cheapest wine on the list?
• Are you looking to extend your wine horizons beyond Pinot Grigio?

You need The Knackered Mother’s Wine Guide.

Come and explore the wonderful world of wine with drinks expert Helen McGinn. With tips on how to make the right wine choices for every occasion, from children’s parties (because adults need something fizzy too) to planning a wedding or matching wine with food, this book will help you to choose with confidence.

Learn what to look for in the discount deals and discover the can’t-go-wrong crowd-pleasers, perfect reds to go with your Sunday roast, the best wine to drink with chocolate, plus some unexpected suggestions for your next night in. Wine is about far more than just what's in the glass (although that's important too); it brings us together and helps us to find a moment to stop, connect and share stories. This crash-course guide will help you know what to look for in fridge-door whites, store cupboard reds so that you can make the most of time spent together to raise a glass for a special occasion, or wind-down when the kids have finally gone to bed.

Because life's too short to drink bad wine.

Sample the country's most tantalizing tacos paired with equally inventive tequila-inspired cocktails-from seasoned food writer and libation enthusiast Katherine Cobbs. Tacos have been trending for years, and finally tequila is having its taco moment. While a crunchy, savory beef taco washed down with a frozen margarita is always acceptable, today the inspired options for what can be stuffed in an edible wrapper or blended with agave spirits are infinite. Behind the bar, the burgeoning array of top-shelf tequilas and mezcals available hold their own-and even outshine-liquor mainstays like vodka, gin, and bourbon. The ubiquitous tequila shot with requisite salt and lime chaser can't compete with the complex, nuanced flavors of the finely crafted blanco, reposado, and anejo tequilas and smoky mezcals that deserve sipping and savoring. Featuring authentic classics like Tacos Al Pastor and Baja-style fish tacos, Tequila & Tacos also includes entirely new spins on the taco-such as fried Brussels sprout tacos, spicy cauliflower tacos in Indian paratha shells, or tempura-battered seaweed tacos cradling ahi tuna-paired with uncannily delicious cocktails crafted with the finest agave spirits, like a traditional tart Paloma cocktail rimmed with spiced salt or an eye-opening Mezcal Manhattan. Curated from bars and taco stands around the country, this book is a must-have for the taco and tequila aficionado.

Drink like a true American this election season with fun and creative presidential-themed cocktails! Whether you like a more conservative pour or are liberal with your libations, let's embrace the pursuit of happiness.

It's election season, and if you're anything like most Americans, you like your ballots with a side of booze and your suffrage accompanied by something tall and stiff. In United We Drink, you're invited to celebrate the nation one presidential-themed cocktail at a time.

Whether your political views come "with a twist" or are a little more "old-fashioned," this book has you covered. Inside this must-have bartender handbook you'll find:

• 45 easy cocktail and mocktail recipes inspired by each of the presidents
• 5 themed drinks for Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, with guided cutting lines so you can cut out whatever doesn't suit you
• Inspirational, artfully designed quotes from Founding Fathers and former presidents

Some of the all-American, presidentially-themed cocktails featured in United We Drink include:

• Cherry Nelson (inspired by George Washington)
• Massachusetts Mimosa (inspired by John Adams)
• Apple Rosemary Gin and Tonic (inspired by Abraham Lincoln)
• Irish Hot Chocolate (inspired by Chester A. Arthur)
• Hot Teddy (inspired by Theodore Roosevelt)
• Mezcal Margarita inspired by (Dwight D. Eisenhower)
• Frozen Strawberry Jackuiri (inspired by John F. Kennedy)
• Peaceful Peach Spritzer (inspired by Jimmy Carter)

United We Drink is a must for:

• Election-night parties
• Presidential debates
• Fourth of July get-togethers
• Memorial Day cookouts
• And any night you're just feeling a little patriotic.

With accessible ingredients and easy-to-follow directions, these recipes are made with the home bartender in mind. United We Drink is your party ticket to good times and fabulous drinks no matter which side of the aisle you sit on. So, raise your glass to America and enjoy something tall, refreshing, and cool this election season (or any season for that matter)!

The rumors are true; there are more barrels of bourbon than there are people in Kentucky. In fact, statistics tell us there are nearly two barrels of aging bourbon for every Bluegrass State citizen. With a population of nearly 4.5 million and each barrel yielding close to 200 bottles, it's safe to say the average Kentuckian doesn't have to look far for a bottle of amber gold. While Kentucky may be known as bourbon's home base, for bourbon lovers everywhere, the act of drinking bourbon is about more than just its acquisition. It is a lore and an experience, but most of all it is a legacy. As people across the United States and the world begin to wake up to the allure of Kentucky's state beverage, bourbon is having its moment - the act of coveting, collecting and savoring bottles is now a worthy passion to pursue. With budding enthusiasts clamoring to know more about this American-born creation, finding an entry point into the history and culture of the spirit is a task not easily undertaken. Bourbon 101 offers a distinctive and introductory approach to learning about the world of bourbon. Award-winning author Albert W. A. Schmid takes students through a crash-course in all-things bourbon including its history, production, and enduring cultural identity. Schmid introduces new enthusiasts to the lexicon of bourbon and provides a starting point for those wanting to develop their palate and find the bourbon that best suits their own taste. Told through the lens of Schmid's own experiences and interactions with experts in the bourbon world, the book is as much a handbook as it is a love letter to a beverage that has left an indelible impression on those who've dared to take the first sip.

Few pleasures are more gratifying than pouring a glass of fine wine, admiring its clarity and color, savoring its rich bouquet, raising it to your lips, and knowing that you made it yourself. With this complete guide to home winemaking, such pleasures can be yours with little fuss and lots of fun. The Home Winemaker's Companion will guide you as you progress from making your very first batch of kit wine to mastering advanced techniques for making wine from fresh grapes. Included are Gene Spaziani's tried-and-true recipes for 115 delectable wines -- even port and champagne!

Making consistently great wine at home is easy; the hardest part is being patient while your wine ages!

Get out your cocktail shaker and re-live the speakeasy experience with this collection of authentic cocktails. Gatsby Cocktails features more than 20 classic cocktails inspired by the 1920s. Try re-creating the classic Sidecar, comprising brandy, lemon juice and Cointreau. Or discover the secret to Jay Gatsby's tipple of choice; the cooling Mint Julep. Perfect the classic martini or try a tempting Raspberry Rickey from the sparkling selection of recipes. With more than 20 classic recipes, this collection captures the iconic elegance of the Prohibition era.

The beer-lovers' bible is fully revised and updated each year to feature recommended pubs across the United Kingdom that serve the best real ale. The GBG is completely independent, with listings based entirely on evaluation by CAMRA members. The unique breweries section lists every brewery - micro, regional and national - that produces real ale in the UK, and their beers. Tasting notes for the beers, compiled by CAMRA-trained tasting teams, are also included. This is the complete book for beer lovers and for anyone wanting to experience the UK's finest pubs.

'Kay can cook - but she can shake a damn fine cocktail too.' - Heston Blumenthal Kay Plunkett-Hogge demonstrates that entertaining need not be stressful with more than 90 deliciously simple recipes for cocktails and finger food that can easily be scaled up and made in advance. Kay draws on her own party-planning experience to help you be the perfect host, with handy tips on everything from guest list to painless clean-up. Features favourite recipes from three of Kay's previous books, including the award-winning Make Mine A Martini, as well as new creations such as Mini Cornbreads with Bacon, Chilli and Cheese, Smoked Mackerel Pate and Scandinavian Gloegg.

Presented in a box with a foiled lid, and with 50 recipe cards featuring 1920's and Art Deco-inspired patterns, this is a beautiful gift for you or anyone you know who knows how to host a party. There's nothing like a well-balanced drink to add a bit of pizzazz to your day. Whether you're toasting a recent triumph, bringing together friends and family or just capping off a long day of work, mixing your own cocktails at home is easier than you think. Featuring 50 recipe cards for Prohibition-era classics such as the Southside and the Gimlet, and modern classics such as the Breakfast Martini, and the Bramble, The Cocktail Box is the home bartender's best friend. There are cocktails to suit every taste and occasion from bubbly and sweet fizzy drinks that bring the party spirit, to dark and aromatic blends to help you unwind. The cards are also accompanied by a short guide that includes all the equipment, techniques and tips that you need to succeed. Each card has a clear and easy to follow recipe along with a little bit of cocktail history. Gone are the days of having to prop open a book while measuring ingredients - take the card with you wherever it's easiest to see. You can also bring cocktails you want to try on your next shopping trip as a reminder of which ingredients you need. You can even use the cards to display cocktail choices at a party or announce the cocktail of the day. And when you're not sure which cocktail to try next, just shuffle the cards and pull a recipe at random for a delicious surprise!