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Description: 400 pages.When Gourmet magazine debuted in the 1940s, America 's wineries were still reeling from the lingering effects of Proh ibition and the loss of wines from war-torn Europe. But for every closed door, there was an open bottle: The bleak postwar years w ere actually a prelude to today's unprecedented and widespread ap preciation for the grape. New York Times bestselling author Ruth Reichl reread sixty-five years of wine articles in Gourmet to sel ect the best for History in a Glass. The result is a rollicking t ale of great meals, great walks, and wonderful drinks as American s discover the pleasures of wine. These marvelous essays were w ritten by men and women who were not only on hand to witness wine 's boom but, in many cases, helped to foster the environment that made it thrive. The early days after World War II provided a gre at opportunity for James Beard and Frank Schoonmaker to reacquain t oenophiles with the joys of European wines. Through tireless di spatches from the Continent, they inspired American vintners to p roduce world-class wines on their own rich soil. In subsequent pieces, an impressive, surprisingly diverse roster of writers rev el in the sensual and emotional pleasures of wine: the legendary Gerald Asher reflects on the many faces of Chianti; Hillaire Bell oc dispenses bits of wisdom by the glass to his niece on her wedd ing day; the science fiction titan Ray Bradbury rhapsodizes about the earthy pleasures of dandelion wine; Kate Colman explores the moral quandary surrounding a friend's unintentionally generous g ift of a rare Bordeaux; Hugh Johnson reports on Hungarian varieti es during the height of Cold War tensions in the early 1970s; eve n Gourmet's current spirits editor, James Rodewald, reminisces on the first time he fell in love-with a bottle of Pinot Noir. Wit h an Introduction by Ruth Reichl, and covering more than six deca des of epicurean delights, History in a Glass is an astonishing c elebration of all things good and grape. Editorial Reviews Revi ew Advance praise for History in a Glass A fascinating history o f wine culture in America, with an eloquence that spans generatio ns. It's a great wine primer, and very entertaining. Crack open s ome claret, fry up some frogs' legs, and drink in several lifetim es' worth of wine wisdom. -David Lynch, co-author of Vino Italian o and Vino Italiano Buying Guide What better way to get an educa tion in the world of wine than taking a stroll through time while reading commentary from Gourmet's most important contributors? N ot only have many of these writers captured our attention for ove r forty years, but many of them have profoundly influenced our wi ne-drinking culture as well. -Daniel Johnnes, wine director, Mont rachet The pages of Gourmet take us on a retrospective journey t hrough America's ever-evolving love of wine and its terroir; we a re drawn to wine because it transcends our humanity, telling our story, exposing our desires, and giving us hope for great vintage s to come. -Joseph Bastianich, wine director, Otto Enoteca A daz zling historical and literary tour of wine and the wine life by s ome of our wisest, most entertaining professionals. History in a Glass includes a treasure trove of great meals and great bottles. I read it through in one go. -Kermit Lynch, author of Adventure s on the Wine Route and Inspiring Thirst From the Hardcover edit ion. About the Author Ruth Reichl is the editor in chief of Gour met magazine. She is the bestselling author of Tender at the Bone : Growing Up at the Table; Comfort Me with Apples: More Adventure s at the Table; and Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Cr itic in Disguise. She has been the chief restaurant critic of the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. She lives in New York City. From the Hardcover edition. Excerpt. ® Reprinted by permi ssion. All rights reserved. 0679643125|excerpt Reichl: HISTORY I N A GLASS Celebrating the Repeal The Vine Di
Seller: Book Express (NZ), Wellington, New Zealand