A leading importer of limited-production wines of character and quality takes us on an intimate tour through family-owned vineyards in France and Italy and reflects upon the last three decades of controversy, hype, and change in the world of wine
In the late 1970s, Neal I. Rosenthal set out to learn everything he could about wine. Today, he is one of the most successful importers of traditionally made wines produced by small family-owned estates in France and Italy. Rosenthal has immersed himself in the culture of Old World wine production, working closely with his growers for two and sometimes three generations. He is one of the leading exponents of the concept of "terroir"--the notion that a particular vineyard site imparts distinct qualities of bouquet, flavor, and color to a wine. In "Reflections of a Wine Merchant," Rosenthal brings us into the cellars, vineyards, and homes of these vignerons, and his delightful stories about his encounters, relationships, and explorations--and what he has learned along the way--give us an unequaled perspective on winemaking tradition and what threatens it today.
Rosenthal was featured in the documentary film "Mondovino" and is one of the more outspoken figures against globalization, homogenization, and the "critic-ization" of the wine business. He was also a major subject in Lawrence Osborne's "The Accidental Connoisseur." His is an important voice in defense of the individual and the artisanal, and their contribution to our quality of life.

In the eighteenth century, Ireland's elite could choose from a wide range of wines, but their favourite was claret - the red wine of Bordeaux. Whereas Britain's wine drinkers turned to port in this period, and America's elite filled their glasses with Madeira, in Ireland, claret flowed in the social world of the privileged classes. This book looks back to earliest times to trace the story of how and why a French wine became what Jonathan Swift fondly called "Irish wine". Exploring the social life of claret in Georgian Ireland through a range of period sources reveals the social meanings attached to this wine and expands our knowledge of Ireland's fascinating food history.

First published in London 1903. A detailed and comprehensive treatise interspersed with sundry anecdotes and reminiscences in the author's own inimitable style. Contents Include: History of Drink - Drinks Ancient and Modern - Some Old Recipes - Glorious Beer - All Ale - A Discourse on Spirits - Cups Which Cheer - Punch - Strange Drinks - Champagne - Old and New Wines - Cocktails - Cider - Cordials and Liqueurs - Hangover Cures - Temperance - Index of Recipes etc.

Supermarket wines now win Gold Medals in International Challenge. Best Wines in the Supermarkets, identifies these superior wines, often at bargain prices. It also has its own secure website extension, in which to search and sort more wines. This is unquestionably the best source of wine drinking through the year. Now with its own secure website for searching and sorting- at www.bestwinesinthesupermarket.uk. The book provides plenty of interesting knowledge and for each wine, tasting and style notes, for readers to use in finding what they enjoy. Now that supermarkets deliver Internet wine orders, you need a guide through the amazingly, wonderful, wide range they offer. The perfect wine guide for you to find the wines you enjoy at the price that suits the budget of the occasion. The huge buying power of the supermarkets - and the fact that they employ the finest wine tasters - means that they can buy the very best of every type of wine. The trick is knowing which is the best of their best. * For Best Wines in the Supermarkets, Ned Halley tastes, and rates 2000 wines. * His rating system includes, uniquely, a factor for VALUE. * He recommends only wines of character in each category. * Every year, Ned works with the supermarkets to identify their best wines for you. * Excellent, insightful, reviews reveal award winning own label wines taste wonderful. * Handy, pocket size is ideal to tuck in a pocket or bag and use while browsing the shelves. * Helps you navigate the bottles in supermarkets and sift between the regions and grapes. * Discover 26 wines that are rated a perfect 10 and 137 wines rated at high 9s. * What Wine Words Mean is a wonderfully simple, down-to-earth guide to wine terms * Ideal stocking-filler-gift that will constantly throughout the year. * Supermarkets own the wine markets. Ned Halley's help to find the best of their best.

This is the second edition of the definitive analysis of the international wine trade. This new edition focuses on individual trade flows across the major importing and exporting countries, examines the increasing role of food retailers in wine selling and looks for the future trends which will shape the industry in the new millennium.
The book begins by examining technical factors in the wine trade giving rise to differences in pricing and considers how wines' characteristics help to position the final products. It shows how trends in consumption are changing in different ways in the traditional and Anglo-Saxon markets and explains the effects of developments in international trade such as the role of trade barriers.
The heart of the book profiles the ten major wine importing countries and considers: Trends in the consumption of alcoholic drinksWine market and import patternsThe configuration of import and distribution channelsEach country's trade policy with detailed comparisons between themThe book then goes on to consider the wine trade from the exporters point of view and describes: The challenge posed by New World producers to those based in Western EuropeThe influence of the previously planned economies of the former Soviet blocThe role of the EU and the likely effect of further European integrationThe influence of tariff schedules and the GATT negotiationsThis edition will be essential reading for all wine trade professionals including: wine producers, importers and exporters, negocients, co-operatives and regional economic development agencies, and wine merchants and retailers.

Through a Sparkling Glass will both educate and entertain you on the wonder and joy of wine and its place in our lives and culture. From the importance of ageing (wine and people) to Champagne cork removal the correct way, Epicurus to Ernest Hemingway, Moscato to Rose, and the notion ofauthentic wine happiness. An A-Z of wine stories, information and life lessons. Each essay or entry concludes with a list of key facts about the particular subject. Through a Sparkling Glass firmly places wine and all its wonder at the centre of our enjoyment of life and culture and the way we live our lives. Entries cover aspects of wine production, varieties, history and myth, tradition and custom, modern manners, the philosophy of life and celebrating the mystery of wine. A delight to dip into, Through a Sparkling Glass will inform you in the most entertaining way and introduce you to pleasures found in your wine glass. The book taps into the emerging 'emotional palate' category of wine writers such as Alice Fiering (US) and Terry Thiesse (US). This has been successfully replicated in food writing and literature. A perfect book for those who love wine, food and the finer things in life. As well as those who want to enhance their knowledge of wine but want an entertaining way to attain that information. The book will be a well-designed gift package making it the perfect gift for intelligent men or women whoenjoy wine as part of a sophisticated mix of culinary delights rather than as an academic or technical pursuit. This book lifts wine writing out of the niche market full of technical information and into the domain of human engagement and real life where wine is enjoyed and broadly experienced.

Uncle Billy's Wine Guide for Novices is not intended for wine experts and others that consider themselves extremely knowledgeable about wine. This book is for the rest of us who want to learn more about the pleasures of enjoying wine and talking intelligent about it. About 8% of wine consumers consider themselves extremely knowledge about wine. Of these, about 3% consider themselves wine experts. This leaves the rest of us, about 92% who want to learn more about wine but don't want to become experts. Humor is scattered throughout the book to make your reading more enjoyable. The goal is to help you become more knowledgeable about wine and have fun doing so. And remember: "Always drink the wine you enjoy, and enjoy the wine you drink." William Allan Kritsonis, PhD, Author