As a profesional chemist and a keen brewer, i have been looking for a text with that explains some of the reactions occuring within the brewing process. This book provides this information and more. The info does allow you to approach your brewing more scientifically and gives you an understanding of why you shouldnt do certain things and it is this understanding that will allow you to work around problems.
I think the book is great but is possibly overkill for all but the keenest masher or brewing student. Neverless if you like reaction pathways and are willing to study this book for a few hours the rewards are there, for everybody else, dont worry have a home brew! (its a classic line gotta love it!)
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A continuation of the story started in Vanilla Beans and Brodo, which to obtain background knowledge of Montalcino and its residents; it is advisable to read first.
It does not matter if you have not done so because I noticed that some of the information is repeated in Bel Vino.
This time the author's main theme is her interest in trying to untangle the story of Brunello di Montalcino from the facts fiction and fables. It is a fascinating story of change and where once the contadini(farmers)once worked the land for rich families, they now produce wine on land that they own themselves.
I enjoyed this and it was certainly worth reading, but personally I did not think it was as good as the first book about Isabella and ... Read More:
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The 7. edition of Parkers Wine buyer's guide has lost all of it's meaning.
The wines are only rated by points, and there are no tasting notes, no "hedonistic Parker writing" to each wine, which is essential when choosing wines for buying and ageing. You can't see the costs of the wines either, only the pricerange of the winery, which of course doesn't say anything regarding the specific wine.
The wine guide, which used to be a detailed positive list of wines to buy, is now a general description of the wineareas with an ultra short presentation of the winery.
Wine enthusiasts should still buy Robert Parkers Wine Advocate, where the tasting notes are available, but if you already subscribe to Wine Advocate this Wine Guide is money in ... Read More:
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The 7. edition of Parkers Wine buyer's guide has lost all of it's meaning.
The wines are only rated by points, and there are no tasting notes, no "hedonistic Parker writing" to each wine, which is essential when choosing wines for buying and ageing. You can't see the costs of the wines either, only the pricerange of the winery, which of course doesn't say anything regarding the specific wine.
The wine guide, which used to be a detailed positive list of wines to buy, is now a general description of the wineareas with an ultra short presentation of the winery.
Wine enthusiasts should still buy Robert Parkers Wine Advocate, where the tasting notes are available, but if you already subscribe to Wine Advocate this Wine Guide is money in ... Read More:
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Andrew Jefford is a brilliant wine writer and in this latest work, he offers his take on the 'welcome to wine' kind of book.
Because it's Jefford, it's somewhat more than a 'here are the basics'. So I would say it's ideal for the person who's got some clue as to what differences might be: i.e. already knows that Burgundy hosts the pinot noir graple, but probably couldn't tell you that the Northern Rhone grapes are different from the southern Rhone.
I, for one, found it excellent.
He starts with a basic definition of wine in six words: "the fermented juice of fresh grapes" and then goes into three processes towards flavour: grapes (e.g. describing the characteristics both of classics like merlot and of minor grapes like cinsault); places ... Read More:
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Andrew Jefford is a brilliant wine writer and in this latest work, he offers his take on the 'welcome to wine' kind of book.
Because it's Jefford, it's somewhat more than a 'here are the basics'. So I would say it's ideal for the person who's got some clue as to what differences might be: i.e. already knows that Burgundy hosts the pinot noir graple, but probably couldn't tell you that the Northern Rhone grapes are different from the southern Rhone.
I, for one, found it excellent.
He starts with a basic definition of wine in six words: "the fermented juice of fresh grapes" and then goes into three processes towards flavour: grapes (e.g. describing the characteristics both of classics like merlot and of minor grapes like cinsault); places ... Read More:
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Andrew Jefford is a brilliant wine writer and in this latest work, he offers his take on the 'welcome to wine' kind of book.
Because it's Jefford, it's somewhat more than a 'here are the basics'. So I would say it's ideal for the person who's got some clue as to what differences might be: i.e. already knows that Burgundy hosts the pinot noir graple, but probably couldn't tell you that the Northern Rhone grapes are different from the southern Rhone.
I, for one, found it excellent.
He starts with a basic definition of wine in six words: "the fermented juice of fresh grapes" and then goes into three processes towards flavour: grapes (e.g. describing the characteristics both of classics like merlot and of minor grapes like cinsault); places ... Read More:
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If you are expecting an autobiography of Hugh Johnson, you'll be disappointed - this is his jottings/ramblings on wine and anything biographical is almost coincidental. It is not his life story. It is, of course, beautifully written and from this aspect streets ahead of his competitors. This is not a book full of gobs of blockbuster fruit flavours, but of understated, evocative prose. But at times it does teeter on the brink of becoming pompous - all those black tie dinners with the wine aristocracy drinking impossibly ancient bottles, and endless comments on the very old bottles he has in his almost medieval cellar at his mansionly home. On the subject of Robert Parker he is also pretty outspoken, and perhaps needlessly so, and it begins to smack a little ... Read More:
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If you are expecting an autobiography of Hugh Johnson, you'll be disappointed - this is his jottings/ramblings on wine and anything biographical is almost coincidental. It is not his life story. It is, of course, beautifully written and from this aspect streets ahead of his competitors. This is not a book full of gobs of blockbuster fruit flavours, but of understated, evocative prose. But at times it does teeter on the brink of becoming pompous - all those black tie dinners with the wine aristocracy drinking impossibly ancient bottles, and endless comments on the very old bottles he has in his almost medieval cellar at his mansionly home. On the subject of Robert Parker he is also pretty outspoken, and perhaps needlessly so, and it begins to smack a little ... Read More:
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I love this book. The recipes are so delicious and most that i've tried are so easy to make. These guys are a real hoot too! You can tell they had a great time testing these recipes. I bought copies for my mother and a couple friends who also love booze. You have to try the B52 Cupcakes and Boozy Buttermilk Pancakes--they're both amazing!!
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