Rebel School of Wine: A Visual Guide to Drinking with Confidence

As journalist and entrepreneur Balliet (cofounder and CEO of Rosé Mansion) explains it, being a “wine rebel” means eschewing the typical (and often exclusive) wine journey by embracing the fun and discovery that comes with simply finding wines one likes. This visual guide opens with the history of wine, from classical antiquities to present-day, and reviews the entire process of making wine, including harvesting, bottling, and the effects of weather, climate, and geography on wine grapes. Wine styles are covered, as are the economics of wine (including how to get high-quality wines at low prices), categories of wine, and, of course, wine grapes. The bulk of the guide focuses on wine regions, with everything from the better known (France, Italy, the Northwest United States, California) to lesser recognized (Lebanon, Mexico, and Algeria). Each regional focus highlights its wines and some food pairings and provides additional context for the area. The book is rounded out with practical tips about tasting, serving, and buying wine.