The Concise Guide to Wine and Blind Tasting

This book is for all those seeking to acquire a deep and systematic understanding and appreciation of wine, whether for exams, work, or pleasure. It outlines a simple and yet robust framework for analysing wine as objectively as possible, and provides all the background knowledge that you need to interpret and evaluate your findings—covering everything from grape varieties and vineyard management to winemaking techniques and the world’s most important wine styles. Neel Burton and James Flewellen aim to provide you with a strong foundation in wine, which you can then build upon with your own, unique tasting experiences. *Winner of a Best in the World Gourmand Award 2015*

From the back cover:
This clear and concise primer provides detailed coverage of all the major wine styles and regions, together with notes on the history of wine, viticulture, winemaking, and blind tasting. It seeks throughout to examine in what ways a given wine is unique and different from other, similar wines. For example, why and in what ways is Pauillac, in Bordeaux, different from Pomerol, also in Bordeaux? Why and in what ways is Mosel Riesling different from Riesling from the Rheingau, or the Nahe, or Alsace, Austria, or Australia? This book is dedicated to all wine lovers, and should prove particularly useful to competitive blind tasters, higher level and diploma students, winemakers, wine traders, and sommeliers.

About the authors:
Neel Burton is a psychiatrist, philosopher, writer, and wine-lover who lives and teaches in Oxford. James Flewellen is a biophysicist at Oxford University. While still a student, he led the university’s blind tasting team to victory in several competitions, most notably the Sciences Po International Tasting (SPIT) and the Varsity Match against Cambridge University.

Reviews:
A comprehensive education in wine… speaks to both the novice and the seasoned oenophile. Read diligently, it will transform the wine drinker’s understanding and appreciation of the magic that is wine. --The Times Literary Supplement

...a book that will be of benefit to anyone taking a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) course in the coming years. --Paul O'Doherty, JancisRobinson.com

This is a splendid, concise, up-to-date, comprehensive and accurate guide ... Warmly recommended! --Clive Coates MW, Author of The Wines of Burgundy

This excellent book covers all aspects [of blind tasting], in a delightful yet sophisticated way. --Konstantinos Lazarakis MW, Author of The Wines of Greece

Anyone, whether eager volunteer or unsuspecting victim, who has experienced the mental and sensory rigours of blind tasting will welcome this helping hand with open arms. --Gabriel Savage, Managing Editor, The Drinks Business

The book is a trustworthy and valuable resource to have, and would doubtless become well thumbed by any serious wine devotee. --Richard Hemming, JancisRobinson.com

The book is unique in the way it sets out to examine what makes similar wines different ... I wish this book had been available when I was studying for my WSET Diploma. --Colin Smith, IWC and IWSC Judge

Anyone either considering taking on, or in the middle of, a wine course such as the WSET should consider this essential reading. --Thomas Parker, Purchaser at Farr Vintners

Salient characteristics of each of the world’s wine-producing regions are captured both succinctly and lucidly. This is an indispensable guide. --Michael Palij MW, Founder of Winetraders and Winematters

A fine introduction to the world of wine to anybody who is remotely serious about it. --thewinedoctor.com

This is a book that needed to be written … I recommend it to my wine degree students at Plumpton College. --Matthew Hudson, Course Leader, Plumpton College

Burton and Flewellen prove to be singularly diligent guides. The tone is brisk and businesslike, never lapsing into gratuitous academia. --Graham Holter, The Wine Merchant magazine