Journey From Grape to Glass By Natalie MacLean
Bloomsbury. 274 pages. $23.95.
atalie MacLean joyfully takes us on an insider
tour of the international wine world in her new
book, Red White & Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass. With
James Beard and IACP journalism awards under
her belt, MacLean leads us through some noteworthy
regions of the wine world and introduces us to influential
people who inhabit that world—including a visit to France’s Burgundy region and the
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti where biodynamic viticulture is embraced; an interview
with the brilliant and quirky Randall Grahm of California’s Bonny Doon Vineyards; and a
tour of the underground Champagne cellars of Pommery. We learn of the famous winescoring
feud between critics Robert Parker of Wine Advocate and Jancis Robinson of
the Financial Times of London. And Austrian crystal stemware scion Georg Riedel
demonstrates that, “Life is too short to drink good wine out of bad glasses.”
More than a memoir, this book redefines wine appreciation in making the journey
feel rich and experiential for the reader. Natalie takes us along on her gigs as a wine
sales person at wine shops in San Francisco and New York in determining what customers
look for in their selection of wines. We also accompany her for one anxiety-ridden
evening as she works undercover as a sommelier at a five-star French restaurant,
again in hosting a wine tasting for her girlfriends, and in playing with wine pairings for a
Thanksgiving dinner at-home. This irreverent read reminds us to lighten up and enjoy the
adventure of tasting and experimenting with different wines, and most of all—to trust
your own tastebuds when selecting your personal favorites.—Nancy Fox
Visit www.hotelfandb.com for Natalie MacLean’s ten favorite wines to drink with turkey dinner.
atalie MacLean joyfully takes us on an insider
tour of the international wine world in her new
book, Red White & Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass. With
James Beard and IACP journalism awards under
her belt, MacLean leads us through some noteworthy
regions of the wine world and introduces us to influential
people who inhabit that world—including a visit to France’s Burgundy region and the
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti where biodynamic viticulture is embraced; an interview
with the brilliant and quirky Randall Grahm of California’s Bonny Doon Vineyards; and a
tour of the underground Champagne cellars of Pommery. We learn of the famous winescoring
feud between critics Robert Parker of Wine Advocate and Jancis Robinson of
the Financial Times of London. And Austrian crystal stemware scion Georg Riedel
demonstrates that, “Life is too short to drink good wine out of bad glasses.”
