In a lively tour around the world and through the millennia, "Uncorking the Past" tells the compelling story of humanity's ingenious, intoxicating quest for the perfect drink. Following a tantalizing trail of archaeological, chemical, artistic, and textual clues, Patrick E. McGovern, the leading authority on ancient alcoholic beverages, brings us up to date on what we now know about how humans created and enjoyed fermented beverages across cultures. Along the way, he explores a provocative hypothesis about the integral role such libations have played in human evolution. We discover, for example, that the cereal staples of the modern world were probably domesticated for their potential in making quantities of alcoholic beverages. These include the delectable rice wines of China and Japan, the corn beers of the Americas, and the millet and sorghum drinks of Africa. Humans also learned how to make mead from honey and wine from exotic fruits of all kinds - even from the sweet pulp of the cacao (chocolate) fruit in the New World. The perfect drink, it turns out - whether it be mind-altering, medicinal, a religious symbol, a social lubricant, or artistic inspiration - has not only been a profound force in history, but may be fundamental to the human condition itself.

Inspired by Jules Verne's classic adventure tale, celebrated editor-in-chief of The Wine Economist Mike Veseth takes his readers Around the World in Eighty Wines. The journey starts in London, Phileas Fogg's home base, and follows Fogg's itinerary to France and Italy before veering off in search of compelling wine stories in Syria, Georgia, and Lebanon. Every glass of wine tells a story, and so each of the eighty wines must tell an important tale. We head back across Northern Africa to Algeria, once the world's leading wine exporter, before hopping across the sea to Spain and Portugal. We follow Portuguese trade routes to Madeira and then South Africa with a short detour to taste Kenya's most famous Pinot Noir. Kenya? Pinot Noir? Really! The route loops around, visiting Bali, Thailand, and India before heading north to China to visit Shangri-La. Shangri-La? Does that even exist? It does, and there is wine there. Then it is off to Australia, with a detour in Tasmania, which is so cool that it is hot. The stars of the Southern Cross (and the title of a familiar song) guide us to New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina. We ride a wine train in California and rendezvous with Planet Riesling in Seattle before getting into fast cars for a race across North America, collecting more wine as we go. Pause for lunch in Virginia to honor Thomas Jefferson, then it's time to jet back to London to tally our wines and see what we have learned. Why these particular places? What are the eighty wines and what do they reveal? And what is the surprise plot twist that guarantees a happy ending for every wine lover? Come with us on a journey of discovery that will inspire, inform, and entertain anyone who loves travel, adventure, or wine.

Kosher wines have been winning prestigious international competitions and creating a buzz among wine connoisseurs, yet most kosher consumers still opt for traditional sweet stuff. Irving Langer used to be one of those people. A man with a zest for living life to the fullest, Irving embarked on an exploration of the subtleties of fine wine and now he s ready to share his knowledge with you. With wit as dry as his favorite Merlot, Irving guides you on a fascinating, often whimsical journey, teaching you all you need to know: the differences between red, white, and sparkling wines; the ten steps of wine tasting; how to navigate a restaurant wine menu. He takes the mystery out of pairing wine with food, and provides solid lists of resources including wineries, critics, and helpful websites. Taking it to the next level, Irving probes the highly significant role of this spiritually charged drink in Jewish culture and history. Bursting with facts, folklore, and humor, The Kosher Grapevine will transform you from ho-hum Kiddush sipper to savvy wine aficionado.

The Gin Drinker's Year is a celebration of all things gin and is packed with cocktails, food and gin-fusion recipes. With everything from 150 gin cocktails and gin-infusions, plus 30 delectable gin-spiked food recipes such as Penne alla Gin or Minty G&T Lollies, to heartfelt tributes to Snoop Dogg's 'Gin and Juice', the sozzled wit and wisdom of renowned gin soak Dorothy Parker and the rules of Gin Pong and Ten-Gin Bowling, there's an entry for every day of the year. You'll also discover fascinating snippets of gin-eral knowledge such as the history of vermouth, the Christmas gift that the beefeaters of the Tower of London are given every year, and why you most definitely should be celebrating National Gingerbread Day. So let the festivities be-gin. This is every gin lover's handbook to the best year ever. Highlights include: January - New Year's resolutions, Burns Night, Al Capone and a celeriac gin-fusion. February - Spin the Bottle, National Toast Day, Pancake Day and the Leap Day Cocktail. March - Gin Snap, White Day, St Patrick's Day, Earl Grey and some rather questionable poetry. April - Shakespeare's birthday, National Raisin Day and a Great Gatsby inspired Gin Rickey. May - Dick Bradsell's birthday, a Delft Donkey, a little opera and International Tea Day. June - Strawberry Fields, World Gin Day, Father's Day, a load of cobblers and floral foraging. July - Independence Day, genever, National Pi a Colada Day and garden games. August - Lychees, Dorothy Parker, Ogden Nash, World Oyster Day and Dubonnet. September - Hedgerows, Florida, International Talk Like a Pirate Day and directions to Park Lane October -International Gin & Tonic Day, the Beer Flood, spooky concoctions and Sake. November -Albert Camus, National Espresso Day and the anniversary of Casablanca. December - Humphrey Bogart's birthday, Roald Amundsen, Gin Pong and fizzy bubbles.

The perfect way to spend an afternoon! When the occasion calls for a drink, but not getting drunk, mix up a batch of day drinks - creative, low-alcohol cocktails that are festive, delicious, and easy on the booze. Using beer, wine, cider, sake, sherry, and vermouth, plus a variety of amari and other liqueurs, here are 50 light drinks for hot days, warm drinks for cool days, and an abundance of classic - and reimagined - spritzers, sangrias, micheladas, and so much more.

Astrology has experienced a major resurgence, and this new entry to our coaster book series will appeal to all horoscope fans. Have a Cancer and a Virgo mingling with a Scorpio and Sagittarius? With a cocktail recipe and coaster tailored to each of the 12 sun signs, this book will be a fun addition to any party.