The Wine Savant: A Guide to the New Wine Culture

by Michael Steinberger

Overview

“Entertaining and edifying. . . . [Steinberger] deftly shows how any and all of us can be savvier about wine.”—Bill Ward, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Today’s dynamic wine culture calls for a different kind of wine book. The Wine Savant is just that: punchy, polemical, and brimming with insights to educate and entertain beginning wine drinkers and seasoned oenophiles alike.

Never has the wine world had so much to offer, and never have smart decisions about value, quality, grape, and season been so difficult to make. In The Wine Savant, Michael Steinberger tramps through the world of contemporary wine—from three-buck Chuck and bucket-list Bordeaux to bottle speculators and biodynamic wineries—to give the inside scoop on the key concerns facing the new generation of wine lovers:

• Why is California suddenly cool again?
• What’s really the difference between a 95-point wine and a 94-point wine?
• Why is Burgundy ascendant and Bordeaux suddenly so passé?
• What’s a biodynamic wine, what’s a natural wine, and should you care?
• Do food and wine pairings still matter?

Featuring expert buying guides—including the New Kings of California and the World’s Great $25-and-Under Bottles—and tips on tough-to-pair cuisines like Indian and Japanese, The Wine Savant is the perfect guide to today’s often-bewildering realm of choice: ferociously opinionated and committed body and soul to enjoying every glass.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393241563
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	12/02/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	944 KB

About the Author

Michael Steinberger is a James Beard Foundation Journalism Award winner and the author of Au Revoir to All That: Food, Wine, and the End of France. He has written for the New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, and Vanity Fair and is the wine writer for Men’s Journal. Previously, he was the wine columnist for Slate.

Table of Contents

Introduction 3

1 Wine Without Apologies 12

2 Becoming a Wine Maven 21

3 How to Buy Wine 42

4 Wrath of Grapes 60

5 Food and Wine, or Is It Food versus Wine? 81

6 Back to the Future in California 94

7 The Beaune Supremacy: The Triumph of Burgundy 110

8 Great White Hopes 126

9 QPR 140

10 Letting One Thousand Grapes Blossom 151

11 Bucket List Wines 162

Acknowledgments 175

Index 177

Editorial Reviews

09/23/2013
For a decade, Steinberger wrote thoughtfully about wine for Slate.com. In the 11 essays presented here, Steinberger offers advice and opinions on every aspect of wine and its consumption, from the problems of being perceived as a snob (a case not helped by his constant use of the term oenophilia), to the drawbacks of screw tops, to the perils of Chardonnay. He is somewhere between bitter and perplexed when lamenting vino’s inability to match beer in terms of popularity, but happily proclaims that “a truly golden age of California winemaking may be at hand.” Interspersed throughout the chapters is an array of useful lists, such as “tips for having a happy wine experience in a restaurant,” “names to know in Burgundy,” and “fifty of the world’s great $25 and under wines.” In an intriguing chapter on the interplay of wine and fine dining, Steinberger points out that many aficionados who eat at restaurants are so well versed in wine these days that they no longer really need a sommelier—or any advice at all. Norton is surely hoping that there are many people who still do. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

"Anecdotal and heartfelt . . . with personal perspective that fits alongside the work of, say, Kermit Lynch."

San Francisco Chronicle - Jon Bonné

"Deftly shows how any and all of us can be savvier about wine."

Minneapolis Star Tribune - Bill Ward

"Opinionated, insightful and written with authority, verve and humor."

Denver Post - Douglas Brown

11/15/2013
In his latest book, Steinberger (Au Revoir to All That: Food, Wine, and the End of France) draws from his ten years as a wine columnist for Slate to offer insight into wine appreciation. He makes it clear that despite his friendships and connections in the industry, he is unafraid to state plainly his views on wines, wineries, wine critics, and more. At the same time, Steinberger shows an appealing candor in admitting to his own prejudices. In the course of championing particular grapes or labels, he is sure to introduce readers to some unfamiliar wines, such as Loire Valley Savennières or New York Rieslings. While the author's opinions, wit, and honesty enliven the writing, the book is weakened for seeming more like a series of lengthy columns that have not been joined as effectively as they could be. With better links among the chapters, this work would have been a vital read. VERDICT A terrific writer hampered by a format that feels a little tossed together. Recommended for libraries where there is strong readership for materials on wine.—Peter Hepburn, Coll. of the Canyons Lib., Santa Clarita, CA

Library Journal

★ 2013-11-18
Informative, easily digested how-to guide to enjoying modern wines. Men's Journal wine columnist Steinberger (Au Revoir to All That: Food, Wine and the End of France, 2009) offers historical, practical and enjoyable advice on the current wine landscape. From the five elements that create a fine wine to the five must-have books on wine (other than this one) to lists of the best brands of reds and whites, the author's assistance flows readily from the page to readers. He examines the Parker method of critiquing wine and offers his own methodology so readers can learn how to judge for themselves what constitutes a good bottle. Do you need guidance on how to store wine, what wines pair well with what food, or the definitions of "corked" or "spoofulated"? Steinberger delivers the answers. Unafraid to state his opinions on sauvignon blanc or California chardonnay, the author backs his dislike with solid reasons and then proceeds to offer readers better alternatives to his hated wines. His knowledge is not limited to northern European or California wines, as he examines the differences among 10 rising stars in the wine world. Aware that money might play a factor in one's ability to purchase a good Burgundy, riesling or Vouvray, Steinberger provides a list of "Fifty of the World's Great $25 and Under Wines," which itself makes the book worthy of shelf space. The author's enthusiasm for wine is infectious, and his desire to lead readers to the best of the best is irresistible. With his lists in hand, those new to the world of viticulture and vintners, as well as practiced oenophiles, will gain invaluable assistance as they peruse the multitude of available possibilities. Educational, entertaining information on navigating the world of wines.

Kirkus Reviews