Overstreet's New Wine Guide: Celebrating the New Wave in Winemaking

By Dennis Overstreet

Book Overview

There has never been a more exciting time to explore the pleasures of fine wine. Thanks to a new generation of talented winemakers who are marrying the best of traditional viticulture with innovative technologies, today premium wine is being produced in more places, giving the consumer an unprecedented array of choices in every price range. Dennis Overstreet, whose store, The Wine Merchant, Beverly Hills, has been a Los Angeles fixture for more than twenty years, feels wine has for too long been veiled in a shroud of elitism and arcane language. As one of the foremost wine retailers in the country, he is on a mission to show would-be connoisseurs at every level of sophistication how to increase their enjoyment of wine and challenge their palates with new experiences. Unlike other wine guides, Overstreet's does not offer ratings; instead he provides road signs that help guide readers through a thrilling journey of discovery of their own. He introduces some of the most important people and places in the wine world today, and offers pointers on searching out intriguing, little-known wines. He then goes on to break down what exactly we mean when we say a wine is good--or even great--so readers can expand their wine vocabulary and communicate their preferences more effectively. And because he believes there is no substitute for popping corks--that is, tasting, tasting, and more tasting--he provides guidelines for starting a wine collection and organizing a wine tasting at home or in a restaurant. Overstreet also addresses the often-tricky business of matching wines with food, drawing on the expertise of some of the country's foremost sommeliers and chefs, and shares his recommendations for getting the most from a wine retailer or restaurant wine list. And in an extensive directory of wines and winemakers by country, Dennis Overstreet offers his highly subjective nominations for the world's best wines. Filled with insights gleaned from a life dedicated to the appreciation of this intriguing and rewarding beverage, Overstreet's New Wine Guide will help novices and experts alike derive more pleasure from their wine and encourage them to expand their horizons with every bottle. Dennis Overstreet, California's premier wine merchant, presents his shortcuts to making every glass a moment worth savoring, spotlighting the most exciting new names and places in wine today. He shows how to: spot wines that are beyond their prime, stock a wine cellar, host a wine tasting, build a relationship with a wine retailer, seek out little-known vintages and makers, get the best service from a sommelier, pair wine with a variety of foods, and much more. Overstreet also includes his exclusive hit list, The Wine Merchant's Selections, of best bottles from around the world.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0609805185
• ISBN13: 9780609805183
• Release Date: November 1999
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 0.8" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

explaining the passion

If you want a book that will tell you to go out and purchase X vintage of Y wine, this is not the book for you. A dry and boring "guidebook" this is not. If you want something that talks about the passion and pleasure of wine, this is something you will enjoy a great deal ... no matter your level of expertise.

Overstreet's New Wine Guide

Dennis Overstreet delivers an enticing look at the world of wine; one that taunts irreverence and exudes authority, save the all too familiar presumptuous tone. This is a rare find that will appeal to the most discriminating of connoisseurs and those who have newly discovered this marvelous realm. The brilliant photography and beau monde design throughout deliver a hip, seductive book that merits stars based on aesthetics alone. Appealing and informative, this book is appropriate for even the most presumptuous of Manhattan coffee tables and a must for the true wine enthusiast.

Overstreet's New Wine Guide

Overstreet's enthusiasm for wine is quite evident in this book. Whether you're an enthusiast or neophyte looking to learn, this book will delight and hold your interest. "Overstreet's New Wine Guide is well written --without the usual gobbledygook (and pretension) associated with the subject of fine wine. It will be enjoyed and utilized as a source of reference for many years to come.

Overstreet's New Wine Guide

Overstreet's New Wine Guide is the best wine book I've read in the past year. Definitely not your typical soporific wine tome, Dennis Overstreet's energy and enthusiasm make this a fun read. And his extensive knowledge of the subject make it a must read for every wine lover. Overstreet, along with coauthor David Gibbons, has written an exciting, unusual, truly refreshing book. Wine lovers of every level of expertise will enjoy this irresistible book that is free of pretension, arbitrary ratings and esoteric jargon. And, the photographs by Catherine Leuthold are exceptional.

Overstreets New Wine Guide

Overstreets New Wine Guide is a must for the "wine-adventurous"! Lots of great pointers on new and up coming vintners...a great read!