101 things you need to know about wine - Andrew Jefford

This book is all about enjoying wine and enjoying learning about it. It is written in a fun and very accessible style and is comprised of six main sections: the vineyard: growing wine, the winery: making wine, the cellar: ageing wine, the shop: buying wine, the glass: tasting wine and the table: serving wine. All the "things you need to know" are comprised of the headings within each of these sections and some of this essential knowledge includes information on why wines love darkness and how ageing and cellaring works, why screwcaps are just as good as corks and may sometimes even be preferable, what the best shapes of glasses are, how to serve wine properly at the table and which unusual combinations of wine and food work well.
There are also helpful taste profiles of various grapes as well as descriptions of the tastes of various regions which will help you to wow your guests at the table. Did you know that Cabernet Sauvignon generally tastes like blackcurrants and pencils or that Sangiovese reminds one of coffee and apples? Alsace wines are generally plump and heady, wines from Southern France taste of earth and herbs and New Zealand wines are green and leafy. You'll be talking and thinking like a wine expert in no time. There are useful charts and an index to help you as well.
Evening Standard Books, unlike many other guidebooks, are written by experts who enjoy the wide exposure and profile of being columnists in the Evening Standard newsapaper. The books are reviewed and advertised alongside features or columns in the newspaper which is excellent for publicity. They are also gaining the reputation as the most up-to-date and authoritative guides to London.