Author(s): Ian Bailey; Ian Cowrie

Wine & Drinks

Don¿t know your Sauvignon from your Semillon? Puzzled by `tannins¿, `balance¿ and `mouth-feel¿? Whether you are a casual wine lover who wants to pick the best value bottles, or a serious connoisseur looking for investment advice, A Top Drop is the book for you. Written by two industry experts, this book explains how to buy and drink wine the smart way. Offering a basic introduction to wine production, as well as established and emerging growing areas, it also gives a thorough breakdown of grape varieties for red, white, sparkling and fortified, and the best regions to look for on labels. It explores how to cellar wine and pair it with food, and demystifies the tasting process, so that you can understand such curious descriptors as `zingy¿, `corky¿, `charred¿ and `creamy¿. The book also outlines the authors¿ easy methods for creating a wine budget, getting the best discounts and picking the right wine for the occasion. They give evidence-based recommendations for specific brands and varieties, and a thorough overview of the Australian and international wine market as it stands today.