Head in the clouds about wine? Read on

A few nights ago, sitting under a sea of stars while sipping wine, my
wife and I lamented that we know nothing about astronomy. For both of
us, it has been one of those passive lifelong interests that never
matured into action.

“It all seems so daunting,” she sighed. “I wouldn’t know where to start.”

{mosads}“I just don’t have the intellectual energy or capacity right now,” I said.

I often hear those same refrains when people talk to me about wine.

I’ve been immersed in the culture of wine for so long that the notion of not knowing anything about it is nearly impossible for me to comprehend.

The more I thought about it, I realized that being able to identify only the Big and Little Dipper among all the constellations is not too different from being able to identify only a cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay among all the varietals on the planet.

I wondered if a group of astronomers would agree on one or two books that provide the best balance of breadth and depth for a mind curious about the celestial sky. Similarly, I asked myself what books I’d recommend to someone with an interest in learning about wine. It didn’t take long to arrive at an answer.

If you read only one book about wine, it should be Kevin Zraly’s Windows on the World: Complete Wine Course 25th Anniversary Edition (Sterling). Zraly is considered America’s premier wine educator. From 1976 to Sept. 11, 2001, he was the wine director for Windows on the World, the restaurant on the top floors of New York’s World Trade Center, then the top-grossing restaurant in the country.

Twenty years ago I attended an educational tasting Zraly conducted, and I largely attribute my passion for wine to his lecture that afternoon.

Zraly’s unique ability to provide a comprehensive overview of any and all wines in a layout and tone that is in no way overwhelming sets him apart from other wine writers.

This book somehow speaks to wine enthusiasts regardless of their level of experience or interest. I’ve owned a copy starting from its earliest editions (it is updated every few years to keep pace with the ever-evolving market), and I am always amazed by how much I take way each time I flip through it.

The second book I consider mandatory reading is How to Taste: A Guide to Enjoying Wine by Jancis Robinson (Simon and Schuster).

Robinson is a British wine critic with one of the most respected wine palates in the world. She is the author of several books, writes a weekly column for the Financial Times and has the exceptional honor of selecting wines for Queen Elizabeth’s cellar.

The beginning chapters are set up like a do-it-yourself kit, taking the reader through simple exercises and experiments, each designed to hone tasting skills. Robinson discusses the importance of tasting smells and how, with very little effort, anyone can dramatically sharpen his own palate.

She points out that, in blind tastings, those with the least experience often do the best because they are not prejudiced by predispositions.

Perhaps most importantly, Robinson teaches how to talk. Articulating tastes is far more challenging than identifying them.

Like astronomy, the enjoyment of wines is an applied science. Crack these books and pop some corks. It’s never too late to start.

Derek M. LaVallee, director of public relations and public affairs at KG Partners and certified wine buff, can be reached at dereklavallee@hotmail.com.