SECRETS FROM THE WINE DIVA
Tips on Buying, Ordering & Enjoying Wine
by Christine Ansbacher
(Sterling Publishing, $15)
Reviewed by Jenny Watkins
Wine
snobs, beware. Those looking for an elitist guide to wine
shouldn’t invest in Christine Ansbacher’s witty,
down-to-earth tome about choosing, purchasing and enjoying
wine. Aiming to steer novices away from simply choosing a Cabernet or Chardonnay by
default, Ansbacher provides multiple mnemonic aids that forgetful
wine newbies can employ when venturing out into the wine
world. For example, to remember Malbec,
she suggests “Bad Becky.” Also included are
several helpful tables that explain which wines pair best
with certain foods, and how to distinguish if your meal demands
a medium, light, or heavy vino partner. The petite paperback
is conveniently compact enough to slip into a handbag, but
we wouldn’t suggest pulling it out at the table.
For those who already consider themselves wine experts, there are quite a few clever trivia gems to share at your next wine-tasting party. For example, Ansbacher explains that “toasting” originated when a chunk of stale bread was dropped into the wine glass to absorb any sediment that would adversely affect the flavor, and to pass the time while the bread was working its magic, someone would give a short speech. If wine history isn’t your thing, she also provides plenty of helpful advice about proper wine storage and preservation, which any wine lover can appreciate.
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