Drink by the Book

There are a whole crop of wine books out right now. Here is my guide to the current harvest:

For the Oenophile
Anthony Dias Blue's Pocket Guide to Wine
If you don't know what oenophile means, this book is probably not for you. It is less a guide to wines, than a guide to wineries. Divided by region, the author actually recommends only a handful of wines in several price categories. Those wishing to survey a regions wineries at a glance may find it handy.

For the Francophile
The Wines of France
I have to say I love this book. It is an easy to navigate guide to the wines of France written in an accessible and unpretentious style. First thing you will notice is that it uses colored tabs to make perusing a region a snap. The crib sheet feature at the beginning of each chapter lists Must Trys, Smart Buys, and Safe Houses. Whether you are new to French wine or a connoisseur this book will help you sort through the wineries, the wines, the price ranges and recent vintages.

For the Novice
The Simple and Savvy Wine Guide
Wine can be intimidating. Several authors have attempted to demystify wines and write guide books "for the rest of us". Unfortunately for those who know a bit about wine, the style of this book may feel a bit too dumbed down. For example one of the chapters in this book is Wines by Mood, here you'll find categories like "Girl's Night In: Pinks, Bubbles & Sweeties" and "Bathtub Whites". Get the picture?

For the Foodie
What to Drink with What you Eat
This book is one of my favorites, it take a unique approach to pairing wines, and other beverages with food. You can look up the wine and see what it pairs with or look up the food. Either way you slice it, this is an enthusiastic no-nonsense book that will encourage you to experiment and enjoy. And really isn't that what wine should be all about anyway?

Head over to Cooking with Amy for my review of Jay McInerney's latest book on wine, A Hedonist in the Cellar