A First Course in Wine: From Grape to Glass

This friendly guide from Amatuzzi, a beverage director and wine educator in New York City, caters to wine newbies, covering topics that range from tips on hosting a dinner party where wine will be served to opinions about the screw tops vs. cork debate. However, even those who know the difference between a chardonnay and a chenin blanc will take tidbits of information away from this accessible overview. The many photos (some as large as a spread) are bright, clear, and cheery, and the tables are helpful. But those who are just learning wine appellations may find themselves wishing that the book had more than one map—particularly for the tricky geography of France. Sidebars deliver useful tips, definitions, and interesting facts. Curiously, Amatuzzi decides to divide appellations by white and red wines instead of explaining the wines produced by each country, making for a confusing organization. The writing can be dense, but this is not likely to bother those who will be lured to the plethora of material by the title's clean design and easy tone.