Libraries have many choices when it comes to buying wine guides. Some books (e.g., Leslie Sbrocco’s Wine for Women: A Guide to Buying, Pairing and Sharing Wine ) target specific audiences, while others (e.g., John Winthrop Haeger’s North American Pinot Noir ) explore the pleasures of a specific grape. Wine educator Oldman takes on the whole subject of wine—from what it is and where it comes from to how to taste, buy, and store it—without writing something unwieldy and pedantic. He has written a highly approachable, contemporary, and practical guide that gets right to the point. In brief, two- to three-page chapters (“Short Cuts”), he tells readers how to order at restaurants, how to (and how not to) taste, how to recognize the characteristics of different grapes, and much more. The end result is an inviting and informative book sure to please both novice and experienced wine connoisseurs. Its balanced and practical approach aims to put good information into the hands of busy people. A wise purchase for all public libraries where there is an interest in wine
