Thalia

Discover the nuances of California wines and increase your drinking pleasure

Want to be a California wine connoisseur? This friendly guide gives you the knowledge you need to appreciate these fine wines, showing you how to taste them, select a good bottle, pair wine with food, and much more. You'll see why certain wine regions are renowned and how to further enrich your wine-drinking experience.

* California wine 101 - understand the range of California wines, what makes them unique, and what a varietal wine is
* Review the regions - explore the major wine regions of California and what makes each one special, from the soil to the climate
* Open the bottle - become fluent in the Big Six: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel
* Go beyond the basics - appreciate Pinot Grigio, Viognier, Syrah, sparkling wines, and more
* Round out your wine experience - pair and share wines, learn about the proper glassware and serving temperatures, and prepare for a winery visit

Open the book and find:

* An overview of California wine today
* Wine recommendations for all budgets
* Explanations of wine label language
* A map of wine regions
* Tips for aging and collecting California wines
* Winery tasting etiquette
* The ins and outs of recent vintages
* Top wine country travel destinations