Beverages Books

An excellent book that I had seen at a friends. Ideal for those like me interested in French wine. A different approach than some similar books where the author brings to life the personalities involved.
It arrived promptly and well packaged so many thanks for that.
One thing I would mention are your delivery charges. I consider them high.
I have also bought CDs from you with the same comment.

You should be aware that there are others 'in the marketplace' who offer free delivery. So beware as you may lose me and others because of this and this only.

Bernie Besnard 11 July 2008

I am a sommelier in a fine dining restaurant, and while I have found this book particularly helpful, my staff seems to have some issues with it. We used it as a textbook, covering one region per week. I like that it allows me to really visualize the vineyards and understand why the wines are what they are. In the Northern Rhône section, he talks about the steep, terraced vineyards and the stiff Mistral winds... when you understand where the wine is coming from, the wine itself makes sense. For my waiters, though, it was just too much stuffing, and they were unable to extract the information that I wanted them to. Perhaps novices need something more factual and to-the-point rather than an in-depth, evocative narrative? At any rate, I strongly suggest this book as a tool to delve deeper into French wine for those who already have a broad knowledge base. It's not for the beginner though.

For the people like me who doesn't have any knowledge about France wines, it is the best book to start with.

You might buy this book because it's a beautiful coffee table book - the beautiful pictures and the layout...Or you might buy it because it's great for reference material.

If you love wine, simply buy it for that reason alone. It is very up-to-date, the author, no stranger to French wine, a true professional, uncovers the latest trends and troubles in the various wine regions of France. He talks with growers and vintners, producers and negociants - providing perspective from all angles.

Beyond reading the latest issue of Decanter or Wine Spectator, this is perhaps the most informative and concise manner of learning about the "now" of French wine. Like other Mitchell Beazley publications, the focus here is on the great presentation and the high level of scholarship/research/journalism. This book will nourish your curiosity.

A great read and reference as to what is going on in French Wine today. Covers all the regions and introduces the reader to the regional personalities and the best producers. You gotta add this one to your wine library.

This book was a gift to me from my wife. We drink a lot of wine, and neither of us know much at all about the stuff. Even so, at first glance I didn't think I was going to like the book. It seemed too simple, too basic, too cutesy. Clarke is fond of sweeping generalizations, and his writing style is like an enthusiastic public school boy describing his favorite pudding ("loads of flavor!"). But I must say, I think it's a great book. I use it all the time as a reference. He covers all the basic questions I've had about the production of wines, the different varieties, etc. Sometimes, I'm amazed by what I find in here. After visiting France, we decided we like the dry roses they drink there in the south (great in summer), and started buying them here. We found pretty much everything we tried to be good, until we had a bottle of Rose D'Anjou, which we hated. Looked it up in Clarke and he had singled it out as "one to avoid." Anyway, I'm sure there are other excellent books out there on wine, but I felt moved to write this review for the simple reason that Oz Clarke has been a reliable source of information for me for over four years now. Plus, the style is unintimidating. The guy just likes drinking wine, and he wants you to feel that way too.

This book is especially useful for those who are first getting interested in the subject, and want to learn some very fundamental, but important facts to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of wine, and of wine with food. It's a good book from which to build your knowledge if you simply want to make better wine choices, or if you want to start a collection. It's easy to read with plenty of visuals that are well laid out. Wines are segmented by grape varietal, taste comparisons, and by country to enhance your learning.

As a collector of wine, I also have many books on the subject,which range from basic to complex. I often find myself still referring to Oz Clarke's Introducing Wine, when I need a quick and solid reminder.

This is a brief, breezy three-part primer for the aspiring wine aficionado; liberally splashed with color photos of wine, wine country, food to eat with wine and Clarke with a glass in his hand.

First he discusses wine flavors, what to buy and from where, according to pocketbook. Then he gives tips on enjoying wine: pairing with food, storing, buying, and deciphering the label. The last and longest section discusses wine by country: regions, characteristics and ten to try. An entertaining, non-threatening, useful guide for the beginner.

My wife and I enjoy a bottle of wine every month or so, but had no system in selecting our wine beyond the categories of price, red/white, and appearance of label. Nothing wrong with blind chance, but we wanted to know more about what we were drinking and how to select it.

Enter Oz Clarke's "Introducing Wine". This is a perfect introductory book for us. He breaks wine into comprehensive but accessible categories - from "flavors" to regions to food matches to bargains. Also teaches you the basics of storing, serving, tasting and selecting.

We are ecstatic to have this book. We also purchased "The Wine Bible" and "Oxford's Wine Companion" but have no plans to crack those open until we get the basics down from this one.

This is the best introductory wine boook that I know.

This cookbook is absolutely gorgeous. It is a wonderful guide to the Pacific Northwest for both locals and visitors. The recipes are fabulous (try the Chipotle Chocolate Cake) and very easy to do at home, while still elegant. And the wine pairing suggestions are spot on. Outstanding book that would make a great addition to anyone's cookbook collection - and one that you will actually use.

This book offers many exceptional recipes however there are two from Chef Maury Bennett in Idaho that are amazing his passion for local fares radiates through his ideas. I would like to see an entire cook book done by him!!

For the wine and food nut, this book is of epic proportion. Vivid and lively pictures combined with the real people and real stories of the Pac NW illustrates the connection between Braiden Rex-Johnson and her subject. The
wine country traveler's guide to the good life in the Pac NW. Bravo!

To counter the damp and dreary days of winter I surround myself with distractions that promise better days to come. At the top of my pile is Braiden Rex-Johnson's Pacific Northwest Wining and Dining. Just looking at the cover of this love letter to NW cuisine warms me. I imagine myself dining al fresco on the patio of this restaurant or a myriad of others. Then I pour over the interior pages, like a gardener pouring over a seed catalogue in winter. I indulge in the descriptions of familiar restaurants and wineries as well as intriguing new ones. I plan our next excursion into Eastern Washington or the Willamette Valley or the always promising Vancouver area, while noting the recipes from these areas that we want to make today and the wines we will want to serve with them. I smile at the quotes from favorite and unfamiliar chefs and feel as though I now know something of what makes them who they are. And then I remember another friend who I want to share this book with and I'm back online to order it. What a perfectly luscious way to wile away the winter days.

I was given this book as a gift and after sitting down with a cuppa joe and browsing through it, I feel like I've had an eye-opening close encounter with the Northwest--and I live here! With our busy lives, who has time to track down the crème de la crème of cozy inns, tucked away vineyards and to-die-for bistros? Rex-Johnson has done the work for us, with a literary roadmap of the best of the best. She entertains with quick little snippets about the lives of chefs and growers, then helps us bring the experience home with their best recipes. I've just ordered another copy to give a chef-friend, and I'm going to keep one on hand for visitors coming to the area. Whether they like to cook or not, there's gorgeous photography, a travel guide, a bit of history, and inspiration for anyone whose pulse quickens in the face of beauty, bounty and harvest.

Great book if you're planning a trip to Ireland or if you just want to enjoy a pint in your own living room!

When I'm in Ireland -- which isn't nearly enough -- I try to avoid the trendy new pubs and stick to the joints where the local people go, where you're still likely to find a session in the corner, where the food is simple but hearty, and where the Guinness is pulled with pride.

Eric Roth, a Boston-based photographer, pays tribute to the "real" Irish pubs of Ireland in "The Parting Glass." Of course, there are thousands upon thousands of pubs to choose from, and the book had limited space, so after exhaustive research (read: going to lots of pubs) he picked 43 representative establishments to capture on film. Eileen McNamara, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe columnist, went along for the trip and provided the text to support Roth's images.

Of course, I have my own favorite spots in Ireland, and sadly, they're not included here. And yet, of the 43 pictured, I've been to only a handful, and they ALL look a delight!

The book includes numerous large, colorful photos of pub facades and pub interiors. Too, you'll find distinctive pub signs and unique pub decor. Better yet, you'll see people manning taps and hoisting pints, people who make up Ireland's traditional pub scene as much as the Guinness-stained tables, peat fires, live music and pleasant conversation.

There are city pubs and country pubs, ornate pubs and plain, crowded and empty. Roth's photos are gorgeous, rich in color, detail and personality. McNamara's narrative is equally colorful, informative and evocative of the pub experience. Combined, they create a desire to dive through the pages, take a seat and order a pint.

Great photography. Great for Irish conversation. Makes a great gift.

This book is for those who want to be swept away on a marvelous journey through a land of incredible scenery interrupted by warm and friendly people invigorated by mouth watering blends of spirits served in the most welcoming places short of heaven.

This book made a wonderful gift for my husband this Christmas. He and I went to Ireland a few years ago to see a U2 concert at Slane castle. To this day, it remains one of my favorite vacations of all times, and this book rekindled those wonderful memories. So much so, that after browsing through the pages together, my husband and I are planning a return trip "across the pond" as a gift to each other! We're even planning some of our itenerary around these cool cities and pubs.

The photos are just beautiful and so are the stories of the owners, the bartenders, the patrons and pub histories. Neat facts are tucked in between the pages, making it more than a photo essay -- I learned that a special place called a "Snug" exists in the older pubs, where the women used to share a pint or two without the company
of men.

If you are looking for an unusual and thoughtful gift, I recommend this book. It would make a wonderful father's day gift, (or mother's day gift!), it would be great as a birthday present, a graduation present, a coffee table book for a new homeowner, or for any other occassion where you want to raise a pint in celebration. Cheers!

This book is fantastic. It is a must buy. It is informative as well as interesting.

While I have always liked wine I have always hated the arrogance of most people who sell wine. Be it the cocky wine shop clerk or the restaurant wine whatever you call them guys with the silly silver cup, they seldom make me feel like my opinion means anything. They make me feel stupid! That has all changed since I have read The Wine Primer. While I did not buy the Wine Primer, (it was a gift from a woman who has become my ex woman) I love the power and comfort it has given me.

Best of all this book saves me money. I didnt know wine shops give quantity discounts until I read it in the Wine Primer. I tried it out when I bought six bottles of wine in my local wine shop when at checkout, I asked if there was any multiple bottle discount- to my surprise there was, 10 % to be exact. I have
saved over a hundred dollars since I read of this tip in The River Cafe Wine Primer.
I like red wine with almost every thing I eat. Once at a well known restaurant I ordered a French red Bordeaux with my Tuna and was given a three minute lecture by "The Wine Guy" on how it
as a horrible match. Needless to say I was so intimidated I changed my order. Here I am I'm thirty four years old, I own my own buisness, my own home, repair my boat and car by myself, and coach a little leaugue soccer team, and I found my self embarrassed to have red wine with Tuna. Mr. Delissio says in his book that "the only palate one ever needs to impress is his own" and puts it in a way that you believe it.

There is a saying in the bible that if you teach a man to fish you will never have to feed him. The River Cafe Wine Primer has taught me how to let myself enjoy my own tastes, and after reading it I find that when it comes to wine I don't need any help. Best of all it keeps saving me money.
I recommend everyone learn how to fish and read this book.

As a mere advanced beginner in the world of wine enjoyment, I find this book to be among the best I have explored to educate myself. It covers all kinds of really practical information from ordering wine in different types of restaurants to purchasing wine in retail stores, as well as more detailed information on types of wines. Imagine that you have a great friend or associate who knows the world of wine inside and out and you ask him to write down some advice for you, and you'll get an idea of the easy style you'll find here...only expanded tenfold. This book is laid out thoughtfully and is bursting with the kind of practical advice that can only reflect a deep love for the subject matter. I would highly recommend this book to both someone who is just beginning to explore and enjoy wines and also to those a little further along who are looking for depth of general knowledge.

An amazing book! Mr. Delissio's, The River Cafe Wine Primer,is a must have for anyone serious about wine. The information given is easy, even for the novice to understand. From how its made, to the choice you have with your meal, is explicit and excact. I only wish that there were more writers with Delissio's passion.

Delissio's "River Cafe Wine Primer" is a nice place to start for the beginning oenophile. It reads easily, for the most part, and never insults the reader. The author joins the "all things are possible" attitude, leaving the appreciation of wine to the reader, while providing guideposts for enjoyment. Never is the reader talked down to, but neither is the author willing to keep his advice on a lowest common denominator level.

This book has an insider's information and I found some of the restaurant and background info on par with Boudrain's "Kitchen Confidential", but with a dash more restraint. I'm not sure if the wine industry has the kind of dirt that Boudrain exposes, but the novelistic style of Delissio's book still makes it a worthy read.

Where this primer fails is not so much the fault of the book, but rather in its competition. Zraly's wine course book and MacNeil's "The Wine Bible" are superior. The Zraly book is very basic, while MacNeil's is far more thorough. One reviewer noted how well Delissio clarified the wines of France, but I found his tour to be more confusing than similar discussions in the other two books. The sidenotes and fun facts in Zraly, and the ebullient, "zest for life" attitude of MacNeil also take them one step above "The River Cafe Wine Primer".

Another significant lack is that due to the writing style and the book's layout, it doesn't function well as a reference. In other words, it wouldn't be a book I would reach for if I had a question. Delissio avoids naming names - his wine recommendations are more generalized. This works well for a book that will probably not go through several revisions, but again, it makes it harder to use for specific help.

A nice day read, "The River Cafe Wine Primer" is a fine addition for wine lovers who seek to round out their knowledge, but in a crowded market of wine books, there are other more essential books to add to one's library.

My dear friend gifted me with this gem of a book recently! Chock full of creative, festive, easy-to-follow recipes, this book will add spice to any affair...and would be the ideal party gift, hostess gift, stocking-stuffer etc! Yes, it's brimming with tempting recipes (the Voodoo Potion and Black Magic Tricks, a personal favorite), but also includes helpful party ideas and planning tips. How cool is that?!

I recently threw a party for a friend's 30th birthday and this book's creations were a huge hit. Sassy Sips & Nibbles is the perfect companion for anyone throwing a party; and with the holiday season fast approaching there are plenty of those to prepare for. The drinks presented in the book are great suggestions if you are not sure what to offer at your next shindig besides the standard (and lets face it, boring) G&T, V&T, rum & coke, etc. And the hors d'oeuvres are easy to make but will satisfy the most critical of foodies. There is something for everyone, from meat lovers to veg-heads, and something for all occasions, from your Christmas cocktail party to your 4th of July cookout. This book covers all your bases. I suggest upping your serving sizes because much of what you prepare will not make it past grabbing hands in the kitchen. Kudos to Emma Roberts for helping to take the stress out of entertaining at home.

This small book is big on ideas. From Berry Mojitos to Mad Dog Beachtinis, from Herbed Paris Puffs to Jimmy Carter Nibbles, the opportunities for creative entertaining are endless. Everyone on my Christmas list will be receiving a copy!

After looking at my own copy of Sassy I ordered 7 for my friends. One's thank you email read: This little gem of a book is full of
terrific ideas that don't take all day to prepare.

That sums it up! In addition it has very helpful guidelines for purchasing drinks for a party. The format is upbeat and cheery, a little book which will be great to use. Now on to the kitchen to try the Cheesy Cranberries!

Tasty and appetizers and drinks with easy to follow recipes. The sassy tips are wonderfully creative and helpful. Beautifully designed - would make a great gift.

This book is perfect! Whether I'm feeling down, feeling as if I may be getting a cold, looking for a healthy snack, or just looking to boost my libido, this book is absolutely perfect. It's well organized into catagories so I can pick which smoothie would be right for me. (Plus the recipes are great too!)

Yummm! I got a personal smoothie maker recently to help add more fruits into my diet. This book provided some tasty recipes to help. Easy instructions and something of everything. The recipe for the migraine soothing recipe works!

`Smoothies for Life' by nutritionists, Daniella Chace and Maureen B. Keane is one of those books you dread when you pick up a book on food which claims to present an important nutritional point of view. As the book was written and published in 1999, there is a good chance that some of the nutritional information may be a bit out of date. I am not an expert on nutrition, but I sensed that the book did not give as much emphasis to blueberries as an ingredient as you will see in current books. And, I was just a little suspicious of the totally negative slant given to whole milk, due to its saturated butter fat. From my view of nutrition from the outside looking in, I sense that butterfat may have made something of a recovery in reputation over the last few years, with the demonization of transfats in butter substitutes.

The thing which dismayed me the most about the book was the heavy reliance on health store speciality ingredients such as vitamin C power, brewer's yeast, flaxseed oil, protein powder, and liquid herbal supplement. A lesser dismay was the discovery of a few misspelled words.

My suspicion of the purported mojo obtained from brewer's yeast and protein powder is entirely personal and I point that out only because I suspect there may be others who are turned off by any recipe which requires a trip to some speciality store.

The other side of the coin is the fact that this book has great value if you are especially fond of smoothies. I was pleased, for example, to see the warning about giving honey as an ingredient in smoothies to children under the age of two. This is probably almost as important as good sanitation practices with chicken and eggs, yet I have never seen this warning outside of a book all about honey. On the other hand, I suggest you take the authors' recommendations about the value of herbs with a grain of salt. I suspect the pharmaceutical efficacy of many herbs may have been a bit inflated 10 years ago. Most modern research detects not much more than placebo effects.

If, like me, all you really wanted was a few good recipes for smoothies, try the appropriate volume from `Better Homes and Gardens'. If, however, you already make regular trips to you local GNC, then this may be the book for you!

I found this book to be extremely helpful at adding special ingredients and supplements into my diet. The book is layed out in a way that makes it easy to read and use. If you're going to be making smoothies this is the title to get you going

I owned 'Juicing for Life' long before buying this book. I liked that one, so I bought the smoothie book when it came out. As a believer in the power of juice consumption, I found this book to be an excellent reader also. This is more than another 'fun' smoothie book for those looking for entertainment. It's broken down by chapters into "Energizers", "Power Makers", "Calorie Burners", "Immunizers", etc., in its 11 chapters of recipes. Specific ingredients for specific goals. The explanations of ingredients needs are excellent, as they were in her juicing book.

One caveat: don't expect all the recipes in this book to be low-cal, as they aren't. Tahini and peanut butter are two common ingredients. That may or may not be important to the reader.

Another caveat: depending on where the reader lives, some of the ingredients may be difficult or impossible to buy in smaller areas. E.G. flaxseed and other uncommon oils, algae, and a number of vitamin powders.

For those who want health information as well as smoothie recipes this makes an excellent book for reading, and deciding applicability to one's own health goals.

The hardest thing about cooking Chilean cuisine in the States is that many of the ingredients used in Chile don't exist here. This book gives excellent substitutes that are commonly found here. Pretty much any Chilean dish can be found in this book. Great buy.

I was fascinated with this book the moment I picked it up. I loved the way the author brought the recipes to life by sharing his experiences in Chile or telling a bit of history about them. I was pleasantly surprised to find true traditional recipes of which I enjoyed with families and friends while living in Chile. I have not had the opportunity to return to Chile for quite some years but this book help me remember the wonderful food, people and country that Chile is.

As the son of Chilean parents, I now find myself away from my family as adult and longing for those Chilean foods that makes me feel like home. The recipes work well and I was even able to prepare them which is a miracle because I can't cook at all.

I bought this book after a trip to Chile, and wanted to use it to recreate some of the food we tasted there. I enjoyed reading the author's descriptions of Chilean food, especially the cultural references to Chile. I've been quite happy with most of the recipes I've tried, especially the Pastel de Choclo. However, both the recipe for Manjar, and the recipe for Brazo de Reina have problems, and I would recommend against trying them. I've written to Hippocrene Books, asking them to contact Mr. Joelson for corrections, but so far I've not heard from them (which I consider a BIG negative for a cookbook author). If/when I do hear from them, I'll update this review. Chris Braunlich

A well put-together colection of traditional Chilean recipes, along with a healthy smattering of Chilean atmosphere in the form of sayings and literature.

This is a great reference book on both early origins on distilling in America and the Beam family - who comprise a large branch of the founding families of Bourbon distilling and still have many members working at various distilleries throughout Kentucky. A entertaining read and great reference for anyone who is interested in bourbon.

What a great book! I loved it and couldn't put it down. I feel like I was right there with Pacult as he traveled around with Booker Noe. I am not a bourbon drinker, but this book made me wish I had a little bit to sip as I was reading it. Alas I finished reading the book before I could purchase some bourbon.

I read American Still Life this Summer. It reads like a Michener novel. I prefer reading non-fiction but most non-fiction is boring and tedious. So I was pleased when I had a chance to read this book. It's a strong testament to our American founders and to the Beams, American icons, who 'took the pain' out of the daily struggles. Great Read!

This book captures a truly unique American product, and a family that was integral to the creation of the industry. As I write this review, Booker Noe's death was just recently announced. The personalities of the larger than life characters like Booker are wonderfully captured within the narrative. Even if you're not a fan of bourbon (philistine!), you'll come away with a great appreciation for the definitive American spirit (both the drink and the people).

This book kept me enthralled for an entire weekend. A great look at a family that created an entire industry with a distinctly American product, Bourbon.

As the story of a facinating family, the author gently takes you through the many generations of the Beams without getting you lost in a morass of detail. You remain excited waiting for the next turn in their fortunes, and you get a wonderful look at the many personalities involved in building the Bourbon industry over time in the process.

When I think about the book from a business standpoint, Paul Pacult succeeded in conveying the patience and the passion these people have for their product, and how they manage to maintain that passion, literally over generations. In a world of managing quarter to quarter, the Beams are a refreshing change.

A very-well written, facinating look at a piece of Americana. I heartily recommend it.

The Art of the Bar: Cocktails inspired by the Classics, is a great book! If your a serious cocktail drinker this book is for you, great history on some of the most basic cocktails that all aspiring mixologists should know, as well as great recommendations on how to change, spice up and make some of the great mixers used in differrent libations. Although not strictly a recipe book this would be a great addition to any home bar library or on your coffee table. The photography and quality of this book really is great. Having been to their bar in San Francisco these guys definatly know their stuff.

This book exceeded my expectations! The pictures, history, and recipies make for something I keep going back to often. Buy this book. It's like a wonderfully user friendly cookbook for cocktails.

My wife and I had a tradition of going to Absinthe in San Francisco before any major trip, or when one of us returned from a trip. We love their cocktails! This book gives the recipes for all their best. And a very well written, pretty book. Great gift. Now we live in Paris where they don't make a decent cocktail, so this is a lifesaver. Trust me, you will love their cocktails.

Very professional mixologists who have an honest and organic approach to cocktails. There is a real discussion of the principals of ingredients and blending. IMHO this is as enjoyable in its own way as Degroff's "The Craft of the Cocktail."

A must have for home bartenders that want to maintain a consummate menu in their bar. The book discusses unique ingredients, their uses, and even gives the recipes for various drinks served at the Absinthe Brasserie and Bar in San Francisco.

Why use Maraschino cherries in your bar when you can make homemade Brandied Cherries? Need to sweeten things up a little there are multiple syrups such as the simple syrup or even a balsamic syrup.

Don't be mistaken, this is neither a long read or an in-depth study of Mixology. At the same time, it is not just a recipe book without a soul. The gentlemen that wrote the book provided a perfect balance of ingredients to come up with a cocktail that they have proudly named "The Art of the Bar".

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED