Wine Guy: Everything You Want to Know about Buying and Enjoying Wine from Someone Who Sells It Book

Everybody loves to drink wine, but when it comes to buying it, so many of us are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices, and intimidated because we don't think we "know" enough about wine to take a chance. Too often we end up buying the same Merlot, Cabernet, or Chardonnay because we don't have the confidence to try something different. Enter Andy Besch — the Wine Guy.

Andy, owner of Manhattan's popular West Side Wine, wants you to take control of the wine-buying process and start looking at each experience as an opportunity to find something new, whether it's an unfamiliar label, grape, or region. The Wine Guy encourages wine drinkers to break free of old habits and start enjoying the thousands of affordable treasures available in today's wine world.

The Wine Guy offers simple advice on how to get in touch with your own tastes by identifying the flavors and styles that appeal to you. You'll taste your way through the eight "everyday" grapes and will learn how to match their qualities to sixteen "breakaways" that will open the door to countless new options. Andy will show you how to find a good wine guy of your own, and how to effectively communicate to get the most out of your shopping experience. With your new knowledge and skill, you will be able to base your wine-buying decisions on your own preferences instead of being sucked in by brand names, arty labels, someone else's opinions, or the common practice of equating price with quality.

In The Wine Guy, Andy shares his personal experiences from behind the counter to help you become a savvy wine shopper. You'll find answers to the questions he is most commonly asked, along with tips on making the most of the wine experience in restaurants, wineries, wine bars, and while entertaining in your own home.

Take advantage of the methods that have turned so many of Andy's customers at West Side Wine into self-assured and adventuresome wine enthusiasts. Get ready to uncork a truly special experience, and let The Wine Guy show you how.

Library Journal

In 1999, Besch, a former marketing executive, opened West Side Wine in New York City and earned a loyal customer base with his ability to ease novices through the sometimes intimidating world of oenophilic appreciation. With wife Kaye, a freelance writer, he commits his philosophy of accessibility to print. In straightforward prose infused with years of experience, the authors demystify the language and practices surrounding wine tasting, buying, and enjoyment. Their delineation of grape types and associated flavors is useful for a broad range of consumers, as are the chapters "Ask the Wine Guy" and "Becoming Your Own Wine Guy," which address common wine topics like food and wine pairings. The authors also empower readers by providing guidelines for hosting tastings and reading labels. In markets where specialty shops are rare, this information may be superfluous, but Besch's relaxed approach and encouraging tone will be appreciated. Recommended for public libraries lacking coverage in this subject area.-Meagan Storey, Virginia Beach, VA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.