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Shepard's Guide to Mastering French Wines: (Taste Is for Wine: Points Are for Ping Pong)

Name: Shepard's Guide to Mastering French Wines: (Taste Is for Wine: Points Are for Ping Pong)
Price: 25.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780595659098

✍️ Shepard, William S

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$25.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A practical guide to developing personal taste in French wines rather than relying on critical scores.

This volume challenges the common practice of judging wine by numerical ratings. Shepard argues that true appreciation comes from direct engagement with vineyards and regions. The text is organized to help readers explore French viticulture step by step. It combines culinary context with beverage knowledge, targeting those who want to understand Bordeaux and other areas through taste. The approach is grounded in the author's extensive background, ensuring the information remains both accurate and engaging for everyday drinkers.

Key Themes

French vineyards wine taste development Bordeaux knowledge

Literary Context

Published in 2003 by iUniverse, this hardcover work sits within the broader genre of food writing and beverage guides. It reflects a period where wine enthusiasts were beginning to question the dominance of critical scoring systems in favor of personal palate development.

Shepard, William S

📚 all books by this author (2) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Jancis Robinson · Robert Parker · Wine Folly

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Drinks

🏛 iUniverse 📅 2003 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9780595659098

📚 This Book in Collections

🍸 Drinks & the home bar

📝 Description: Shepard's Guide to Mastering French Wines: (Taste Is for Wine: Points Are for Ping Pong)

William S. Shepard offers a practical approach to understanding French wines in this guide that prioritizes personal palate over critical ratings. The text encourages readers to move beyond misleading point scorecards and develop their own wine taste through regional exploration of vineyards. Shepard draws on his encyclopedic knowledge of Bordeaux to inform the content, weaving factual information into an accessible format for enthusiasts. The book addresses the intersection of cooking, beverages, and general alcoholic topics, providing a structured way to learn about French viticulture. It appeals to those who wish to become authorities on fine French wines without relying on external validation systems. The narrative style is informed by Shepard’s background in writing diplomatic mysteries, which lends a clear and engaging tone to the subject matter. Readers seeking purely technical data or historical timelines may find the focus on taste development more suitable for their interests. Evan Galbraith, United States Ambassador to France from 1981 to 1985, notes Shepard’s adroit use of regional knowledge. John Goodspeed of the Star/Democrat describes the related work Murder On The Danube as very well written and informative. These endorsements highlight the author's ability to blend expertise with entertainment, making the guide a valuable resource for wine lovers who value personal experience over standardized scoring.

💎 Expert review

“

🍳

Eatbook Family editorial team

Cookbook desk

Shepard offers a refreshing perspective by prioritizing personal sensory experience over standardized numerical scores. The book effectively guides readers through French viticulture with a focus on direct engagement. However, it will not suit those who prefer rigid scoring systems or quick reference charts. It is best for patients willing to invest time in understanding regional nuances. The approach remains grounded and accessible, making complex concepts clear without oversimplifying the subject matter for dedicated learners.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Eatbook Family —

⭐ eatbookfamily.com editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Wine enthusiasts seeking to develop personal taste rather than relying on critical scores. Ideal for home cooks exploring French viticulture who want direct engagement with vineyards and regions. Perfect for everyday drinkers interested in understanding Bordeaux through sensory experience instead…

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Eatbook Family editorial team

Shepard offers a refreshing perspective by prioritizing personal sensory experience over standardized numerical scores. The book effectively guides readers through French viticulture with a focus on direct engagement. However, it will not suit those who prefer rigid scoring systems or quick reference charts. It is best for patients willing to invest time in understanding regional nuances. The approach remains grounded and accessible, making complex concepts clear without oversimplifying the subject matter for dedicated learners.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, it explicitly challenges judging wine by numerical ratings and focuses on developing personal taste through direct engagement with vineyards.

153 pages, hardcover.

Published in 2003 by iUniverse.

Orders ship from a US warehouse. The shipping cost is shown before you pay, and returns are accepted within 30 days.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

This book advocates for evaluating wine based on personal interaction with its origin rather than standardized point systems. Shepard encourages readers to visit vineyards and taste wines directly to form their own opinions. It serves as a guide for those wishing to deepen their knowledge of French wine regions, blending culinary insights with viticultural education to foster a deeper appreciation of Bordeaux's character.