Windows on the World Complete Wine Course: 25th Anniversary Edition

Comment: Kevin Zraly has been teaching his Windows on the World wine course for 34 years, and has graduated almost 20,000 students. He took a great deal of the information from his course, and wrote a book that is a self-guided version. Now, twenty-five years later, comes the latest edition, updated, yet again, with new wines, wineries, and regional information from around the world. It is a wonderfully conversational book, with plenty of asides one can almost imagine being told by Zraly as he digresses from course material. There are tasting note and instructions on blind tasting and a quiz at the end of each chapter. The sidebar notes are almost extensive enough to form their own sub-chapter of information, though, often, it is just factoids or short lists.

A highly enjoyable guide to the world of wine, both for beginner and intermediate wine lovers.

Comment: I've looked through a lot of books and asked a lot people (in the wine business) - and hands down, Kevin Zraly's "Windows on the World" is the MOST HIGHLY recommended book by everyone I've asked! Why did it take me a YEAR to research and buy it??!?!? It is very straight forward and easy to understand. Full of relevant information and lots of "trivia" that's just nice to know. My ONLY complaint is I wish he had the phonetic spelling next to some of the Italian and French words because I have NO CLUE if I'm pronouncing them correctly. That was an easy fix - I googled the words I didn't know how to pronounce. In my opinion (for what its worth!) - this book was written with everyone in mind! Its for the beginner that wants to learn about wine from A to Z ~ but it also has a lot of useful information that could help the "self proclaimed wine snob" become a little more humble of what they may (or may not) actually know and understand about the wines they enjoy! Its a wonderful way to make yourself a LOT more comfortable when talking about wine - and it doesn't require intensive studying. Each chapter is broken up into little sections with light and easy reading sub-titled through out the book. There's also notes along the sides of each page that contain useful information. Honestly, I tried to check it out at the Library (numerous times!) so I could see it before I bought it - and it was always checked out or on reserve by others. I finally decided to "bite the bullet" and buy the book! WOW! Talk about money well spent and time I wish I had not wasted! I also bought the journal that accompanies the book and love that too! I wasn't sure whether to buy the 25th Anniversary edition, or if I should purchase one from a previous year. Honestly, I thought they couldn't be that different - but I am glad I followed my instinct and bought the most recent edition! For example, if you purchase an older book, it may not have all the information about the "newer" countries and regions evolving in the world of wine (like Chile and Argentina!) My best advice is stop your search for the "Right book" - you've found it! CHEERS!

Comment: I've read lots of wine books over the years and considerable myself pretty knowledgeable. And yet Zraly's book made it brand new for me. The side bars brought together interesting facts and the text was chunked into easily digestable and sippable bits. My new favorite wine book, after my own - Wine's Hidden Beauty.

Comment: I have thumbed through and read several wine books, and Mr. Zraly's Complete Wine Course is at the top of my list.
The book is a great educational experience and I recommend it to anyone who would like to learn more about wine and the wine regions throughout the world.

Comment: Not quite an anthology, but enough information to keep you well versed on the grape growing process & how it becomes a delectable drink. Mr. Zraly covers the globe with recommendations for both the famous French regions, to the up & coming new players, what vintages are considered better to his palate, & vintners he considers to be a bit better than the others.

Wine is a highly subjective matter, as some will immediately identify with a particular type or taste they like. Such as sweet or dry, red, white, or blush, French, Italian, or American, etc. So this is an excellent guide book to expand your tastes & try something new & different.