Wine Book Club: Book 1

There is a LOT to learn about wine. Sometimes I freak out about it and wonder if I can ever learn enough, and at the speed I need to learn it. (I feel the same about technology at times as well.)

I’m not the only one a little overwhelmed by the glut of wine information though. A group of wine bloggers, led by Dr. Debs, has gotten together and created the Wine Book Club (WBC). WBC is based on the Wine Blogging Wednesday model. Every other month, a book will be assigned (for a total of 6 books per year). At the end of the 2 month period, those who read the book will discuss and comment online.

There isn’t yet an official WBC site, although we do have a presence on Shelfari. I suspect the site will be done sometime soon though. Once we have a site, we’ll be able to host our discussions in one location.

On the off months, we’re having "Spin the Bottle" books. These are books that a blogger reads and reviews, but no official discussion is held.

The first book for the WBC has been announced: Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy, by Joseph Bastianich and David Lynch. The book is being hosted by David McDuff of McDuff’s Food & Wine Trail. Due date: February 26, 2008.

There are a several ways to participate (and I stole this directly from David’s post):

• If
  you’re already a blogger, simply post your review on or before February
  26 and send David an email (davidmcduff at verizon dot net) with a link to
  your posting.
• If you’re not a blogger but would like to
  participate, you’re more than encouraged to join in. As the WBC site is not quite up and ready, this time around you’re
  welcome to post your review in the comments section of the “due date”
  article David will post on the 2/26 or to send him an email with the full
  review which he’ll include in the summary posting a few days after
  our deadline.

I’ll admit to being slightly intimidated by a 500 page book at what is
turning out to be a rather busy time for me. I’ll still probably
purchase the book, because I’ll be chomping at the bit to read it after
following the discussion.

Upcoming books include To Cork or Not To Cork and Noble Rot. I’ll be hosting a session in summer 2009 (slots fill up fast!) on Laurence Osbourne’s The Accidental Connoisseur. This summer (June, I believe) I’ll be posting a Spin the Bottle review of Natalie MacLean’s Red, White, and Drunk All Over.

I hope everyone takes this opportunity to crack open a book and learn a little more about a daunting subject – wine – made less daunting by the company of friends.

One Response to “Wine Book Club: Book 1”

1. Dr. Debs says:

   January 10, 2008 at 2:56 pm

   Glad you are on board, Michelle. I know it seems like a fat book, but it really is easy reading, and lots of the book is charts, lists, and other stuff that you don’t need to read as much as have on hand when you need them! Looking forward to hearing what you think about whatever portion of the book you get through!

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