WINE COUNTRY USA
Touring, Tasting and Buying at America's Regional Wineries
by Matthew DeBord

Reviewed by Nancy Huang

Author Matthew DeBord, who also serves as associate editor of Wine Spectator magazine, has created the perfect treasure-hunting map for wine lovers and connoisseurs. His 216-page book, entitled Wine Country USA: Touring, Tasting and Buying at America’s Regional Wineries, takes us on a tour of the ten most promising wine regions in the country and explores more than 50 American wineries and their products.

What’s particularly useful about this book is its overabundance of information, including history of his highlighted wineries, analyses of the vintners’ traditions and distinctions, regional maps, travel tips and wine factoids. DeBord also covers a wide range of wine regions, including the often forgotten Southwest and Mountain States. He even throws a few bits of “treasure” to look for, with each section containing a wine-buying guide for the various regions he highlights.

While the travel tips and maps make this book the perfect accessory for any wine traveler, the vivid photographs and crisp design make it a attractive addition to any wine lover’s coffee table. One thing that we find slightly disappointing, however, is the omission of certain wineries that were worthy of more than just mention, like the Gruet winery in Albuquerque, NM. But as there are more wineries than can be featured, the oversight is forgivable. We just hope that one day there will be a Wine Country USA: Volume Two.

Buy on Amazon