Thank you for visiting the SWG book section.   This portion of Sierra Wine Guide has been added to give you our opinion on various wine related books.  Wine is a broad subject and the books may or may not directly pertain to the sierra foothills.  Nevertheless, there are some terrific books out there and never hurts to learn more about the wonderful world of wine.

"Wine & War" by Don and Petie Kladstrup

Published April 2002, Approximately $12.00

     "The French, the Nazis, and the battle for France's greatest treasure." How can you not be hooked by that line? This is the Kladstrup's fascinating history into the part of the war we don't hear too much about, but always wanted to know. What happened to the wine? This book explains in detail how it was hidden, sabotaged, and drank up in a hurry to avoid capture by the Nazis. Of course, the Nazis commandeered their fair share (alright "fair" might be a strong word). Hitler himself is known not to be much of a wine enthusiast, but many other Germans were. During the war, wine was shipped back to Germany by the trainload. Surprisingly, the Germans did pay for it, but of course, they set the price. Many beautiful vineyards became war casualties too. I really enjoyed Wine & War and would definitely recommend it to wine lovers and WWII buff alike.

4 Grapes

"Noble Rot" by William Echikson

Published May 2004, Approximately $16.50

     For the Bordeaux fans out there, this is your book.  Echikson, does an excellent job of keeping your interest while giving you the rundown on family feuds, complicated classifications, insider deals, and the dirt on Bordeaux's terroir. I found this book particularly interesting in that it also gave insight into the rise of Robert Parker and the incredible power this one American weilds in the land of foie gras and $600.00 bottles of cabernet. I really enjoyed this book and I actually had a hard time putting it down. Although, if I had to find a gripe, it would have to be the extensive coverage of Chateau d'Yquem. Sure, I like the sweet Sauternes as much as the next guy but after reading this book, I believe I'm a certified expert on the subject. Maybe a little more than I would prefer?
Overall excellent read. I would recommend highly.

4.5 Grapes

"The Wine Bible" by Karen MacNeil

Published September 2001,  Approximately $15.00

     The author of The Wine Bible, Karen MacNeil is about as well respected as an American wine authority comes.  Karen is the chairman of wine programs at the Culinary Institute of America in the Napa Valley.  The Wine Bible is touted as the most comprehensive book on wines of the world written by an American author. 
     The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil is a comprehensive text covering the entire gamut of wine from production to appreciation; not to mention covering all of the wine producing areas in the world.  I liked the fact that the book was set up in such a way to allow you to start at any point throughout the entire text.  It was not necessary to read the book from cover to cover.  Therefore, the book is an excellent reference.  The book is 910 pages deep and is extensive to say the least.  I didn't buy the book for it's coverage of the Sierra Nevada Foothills, but more for it's global coverage.  Although, to my delight, on page 690, the book does offer a section on, "The Sierra Foothills".  In this section, MacNeil recommends (and not to my surprise) Boeger, Terre Rouge, Lava Cap, Montevina, Sobon, and Renwood.  In addition, she won my heart when she said, "For numerous and complex reasons, the wineries of the Sierra Foothills are not yet as well known as they deserve to be, given the quality and distinct personality of the best wines".  I liked the fact that MacNeil is quick to point out that the wine drinker should be more concerned with how they think the wine tasted and less concerned with it's reputation.  In the end, this is a good read for both the wine connoisseur and the complete beginner due to the intelligent organization, ease of reading, and not too snooty, writing style.

4.5 Grapes

"The River Cafe Wine Primer" by Joseph DeLissio

Published 2000,  Approximately $18.00

     Joseph DeLissio's "River Cafe Wine Primer" is a pleasant and quick read.  DeLissio offers some excellent tips for the beginner ranging from stemware to auctions.  Also, he tackles the major wine producing regions with reasonable detail.  I am not sure if I left with a more complete understanding of the Burgundy region of France, but I found it interesting nonetheless.  This book is definitely a cover to cover read; I would probably not pick it up again as a reference because it is not organized in such a manner.  I did not find DeLissio's style to be very inspiring.  Obviously, he has vast experience and knowledge in wines but I don't feel that his style captures the readers attention in a way that makes you not want to put the book down.  In addition, the book makes some very broad wine recommendations and I am not sure that they would be specific enough for the beginner.  In the end, I did enjoy reading this book and it did offer some valuable general information.

3 Grapes

"Decantations- Reflections on Wine" by Frank J. Prial

Published 2001, $17.47 (hardback), $10.47 (paperback)  at Amazon.com

     Decantations, like a fine wine, is meant to be savored in small sips.  Hey, it's hard to resist such a corny play on words when it comes so close to the truth.  Decantations is a compilation of Frank J. Prial's wine column for the New York Times, and covers over 25 years of wines, vines, wine makers, wine regions, and various other miscellaneous tidbits of the wine world.  Yes, it is definitely a book for those serious about wine, but thankfully, Prial does not take himself or the wine industry too seriously.  He has little use for pretentious wine lists and wine snobs, and lays them low with hilarious, insightful articles.  What he does love is wine, and everything involved.  His articles range from instructional to uproarious to touching.  A standout among the columns is "Nonvintage Years".  Every day of his three year captivity in Lebanon, correspondent Jean-Paul Kauffmann would whisper to himself the names of the sixty-one chateaus in the 1855 classification of wines of Bordeaux, determined to keep that memory of a happier time amid the confusion of being a hostage.  He and his fellow prisoners would talk about wine, and this tangible thread to the outside world gave them hope that they would survive the ordeal.  Prial's columns illuminate what many of us love about wine - the companionship it brings to a gathering, the excitement of a wine discovered, the joy in a harvest of grapes.  I would recommend Decantations  as a wonderful book to pick up, flip to any section, and enjoy a quick read about wine.  Cheers!