Wine guides come in two basic styles. There are the “big” volumes with hundreds and hundreds of pages for you to read. And there are the new “infographics” books that use graphics and diagrams to make understanding, buying and enjoying wine much more easy. This wonderful book is one of those new types. Ah, this book is perhaps the best of those new types.
Author Stéphane Rosa is a renown wine expert, the director of the annual Hachette Guide to Wines. Jess Grinneiser is a Paris-based designer and illustrator who presents an innovative visual pathway to understand and selecting wine. This pair of experts has produced an exceptional book.
How does this book work? Can you really pick a wine in 7 seconds?
Let’s deal with the 7 seconds first. I suppose, once you are facile with this book, you could find a wine in a short time. But the book is so interesting that I think each time I use it I’ll be meandering among the 300 different wines. That’s types of wines, not specific bottles.
Now, how does this all work. First, all wines are divided into 10 categories: 5 for reds, rose, 3 for whites, and sparkling. The red categories are essential to getting to the right bottle for your meal:
- Light and fruity
- Fleshy and fruity
- Powerful and balanced
- Ripe and spicy
- Sweet
And for the white:
- Crisp and fruity
- Full and round
- Sweet
Just what each of those classes means is defined by color, dominant aromas and the mouthfeel [balance]. Several pages then guide you to the right pairings for specific foods and wine types. What to serve with mushrooms, Asian cuisine, Mediterranean dishes, scallops, or red meat. In each of those cases, and the many more provided, several recommended wine types are offered. Now, you go to the main section of the book where each of the 300 wine types is described with this infographic:
Each of these descriptive profiles presents:
- Region of origin
- Grapes used
- Mouthfeel and flavor profile covering tannins, alcohol and acidity
- Typical price
- Proper serving temperature
- Ideal age range
- Recommended food pairings
- Other wines you might consider, wines with similar flavor profiles
That’s a LOT of information for each wine. It takes me more than 7 seconds to scan one of these profiles, let along two or three. I do plan on keeping this book by my side when I shop and when I dine out. Over time, I’ll learn, and my speed will increase. But, frankly, I rather enjoy a casual browse over several possibilities.
I do read all kinds of wine books. Yes, I do have a few of those 500-page volumes weighing several pounds. I just can’t work my way through those with ease and I’m not carrying one into a restaurant. This book? It’s coming along to sit right next to the wine list.
Whether you are a wine pro or an intimidated amateur, Choose Your Wine in 7 Seconds is well worth your time. All the time it takes!