Wine Basics: A Complete Illustrated Guide to Understanding, Selecting & Enjoying Wine

by Alan Boehmer, Renée Comet (Photographer)

Overview

For those new to wine or for dabblers who could use some help deciphering foreign labels, Wine Basics brings unprecedented clarity to the world’s most ubiquitous libation. Written by a California-based expert—and including four hundred full-color photos, ten recipes, and twelve maps—it covers everything from how to read a label to entertaining with wine; ordering and serving wine; food and wine pairings; cooking with wine; profiles of red, white, rose, and sparkling wine; wine from all regions of the world; and how to interpret wine ratings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493095711
Publisher:	Globe Pequot Publishing
Publication date:	08/04/2026
Series:	Knack: Make It Easy
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 8.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Alan Boehmer has conducted regular wine seminars, tours, and tastings since 1967 in his home state of California. He joined Suite101.com in 1998 as one of the site’s earliest contributors, writing its California Wine column, and is today the feature writer for its New World Wine column. 

A nationally recognized food photographer, Renée Comet keeps a studio in Washington, DC, where she has worked for such clients as the Washington Post, Whole Foods, and Marriott International.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Serving Wine

Corkscrew

Glassware

The All-Purpose Wine Glass

Decanters

Chapter 2: Wine Tasting

How to Taste Wine

The Cork

Chapter 3: Ordering Wine in a Restaurant

Restaurant Wine Service

Choosing the Right Wine

When to Return a Wine

Common Wine Defects

Chapter 4: White Wine Profiles

Popular White Wines

Sauvignon Blanc

Semillion

Chardonnay

Pinot Gris/Grigio

Viognier/Roussanne

Riesling/Gewürztraminer

Chapter 5: Red Wine Profiles

Popular Red Wines

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Pinot Noir

Syrah

Zinfandel

Petite Sirah

Chapter 6: Rosé Wine Profiles

Sweet, Off Dry, and Dry

The White Zinfandel Craze

Traditional Rosé Wines from France

Varietal New World Rosé Wines

Vin Gris

Chapter 7: Sparkling Wine Profiles

Champagne

Vouvray

Cava

Prosecco

U.S. Sparkling Wines

Styles: Brut, Extra Dry, Rosé, Doux

Chapter 8: Understanding Wine Labels

Domestic and Foreign

What a Wine Label Tells You

American Wine Labels

French Wine Labels

German Wine Labels

Italian Wine Labels

Chapter 9: Wines of California

North Coast (Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino)

Central Coast (Monterey County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County)

Southern California

Central Valley North

Central Valley South

Chapter 10: Wines of the Pacific Northwest

Washington State (Columbia Valley, Puget Sount)

Eastern Washington/Walla Walla

Oregon (Columbia Gorge, Willamette Valley, Southern Oregon)

Chapter 11: Wines of New York State

Finger Lakes

Long Island

Hudson River Valley

Chapter 12: Other North American Wine Regions

Virginia

New Mexico

Texas

Missouri

Canada

Chapter 13: Wines of France

Alsace

Loire Valley

Burgundy

Beaujolais

Rhône Valley

Bordeaux

Southern France

Chapter 14: Wines of Italy

Piedmont

Trentino/Alto Adige

Friuli

Veneto

Tuscany

Southern Italy

Sicily and Pantelleria

Chapter 15: Wines of Germany and Austria

Mosel

The Rhineland

Wachau

Chapter 16: Wines of Spain and Portugal

Rias Baixas

La Rioja

Rueda del Duero

Penedes

Jerez (Sherry)

La Mancha

Portugal

Chapter 17: Wines of Australia and New Zealand

Southeast Australia

Western Australia

Hunter Valley

Hawke’s Bay (NZ)

Marlbourough (NZ)

South Island (NZ)

Chapter 18: Wines of South Africa & Other Regions

South Africa

Israel

Greece

Hungary

Chapter 19: Wines of South America

Argentina

Chile

Chapter 20: Classic Food and Wine Pairings

Apértif and Party Wines

Wines for Soup and Salad Courses

Wines for Meat Courses

Wines for Spicy and Ethnic Foods

Wines for Dessert Courses

Wines for Cheese Courses

Chapter 21: Cooking with Wine

White Wines Recommended for Cooking

Red Wines Recommended for Cooking

Fortified Wines Recommended for Cooking

Four Great Wine Reduction Sauces

Chapter 22: Resource Directory

Index