Anything But Chardonnay: A Guide to the Other Grapes

By Laura Holmes Haddad

Do you love wine but not know much about it? Do wine lists (and wine snobs) make you nervous? Is your default order at a bar or restaurant, "Gee, I guess I'll have a glass of Chardonnay"? Well then, it's time you learn your ABC--"Anything but Chardonnay!"--and join the other budding oenophiles who are discovering that there's a whole wide wonderful world of wine beyond that mundane old standby. Wine and food journalist Laura Holmes Haddad guides your exploration of scores of other well-known and not-so-well-known varieties of wine grapes: albario and falanghina, riesling and tempranillo, carbernet franc and malbec (and many, many more). Haddad recognizes that gaining knowledge about wine can be an intimidating prospect, and so she's written her timely new guide in a style that's smart, lively, and very accessible to the non-expert reader. Anything But Chardonnay is organized by the basic types of wine: red, white, bubbly, and dessert. In addition to her clear descriptions of each grape and the typical characteristics of the wines made from it, Haddad provides valuable information on wine regions, producers, prices, and pairing wines with food--all enlivened with splashes of fascinating wine trivia and lovely illustrations.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1584796618
• ISBN13: 9781584796619
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 1.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.6" x 9.5"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

A recommended pick for any general-interest library strong in food and wine guides

If you're a wine drinker who believes wine falls into either the 'chardonnay or cabernet' areas - ANYTHING BUT CHARDONNAY - A GUIDE TO THE OTHER GRAPES is for you. It comes from a wine and food journalist who explores both well-known and obscure varieties, pairing discussions of red and white blends with recipes of recommended international foods to be served with them. It's an outstanding introduction for any new to wines, and a recommended pick for any general-interest library strong in food and wine guides. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

Accessible, fun and informative

Tired of chardonnay? Yeah, me too. And that's why this book is such a treat. If you're not a wine snob and you want to broaden your palate, this book is like having a friend (and wine expert) hold your hand. It introduces you to wine varieties you've never heard of, and puts a new face to some you know well. The writer's style is totally accessible--there's no wine snob attitude here; just friendly, hip advice that so far (for me) has been 100% spot on. I refer to it when entertaining or going to a friends for dinner and find the food-pairing information really helpful as is the nifty "dinner party trivia" which gives you nuggets of wine trivia to drop on your friends. Pair the book with a bottle of an unusual variety (there's plenty listed) and you've got a fab hostess gift.

great gift idea

I have a lot of friends who are enthusiastic about new wines and this is the best gift for men or women. It is written with a breezy insider's voice that is informed but fun and "quotable". Also like the hints for easy recipes that would complement the wine.

Finally !

I love many of the wines that I've tried, but there's so much more out there. Just try going to any good wine store; how's a person supposed to know? For me, this book was a lot of fun to read. It painlessly educated me and I am on to new wine frontiers that I would not have explored before.