The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Wine Beer Spirits

The definitive Reference Guide to Alcohol-based drinks and mixers, and how to choose, store and serve them.

Providing a comprehensive and authoritative reference to alcoholic drinks of every kind, this encyclopedia shows how to identify and prepare alcoholic drinks from all around the world.'

A comprehensive guide to the world of wine, spirits and beer.

By country and by region, this book gives wine lovers an enriching wine education. This comprehensive guide examines the world's 12 major grape varieties, their distinctive characteristics, intoxicating aromas and flavors, and why and how the grapes vary in different soils, in different climates and in different wine making methods.

Beverage Basics presents a new approach to understanding wine and other alcoholic beverages. The book includes an introduction to alcoholic beverages, information on important issues such as purchasing beverages, healthy drinking, and alcohol and the law, and an introduction to wine including viticulture, viniculture, and the sensory evaluation of wine. The authors teach readers about wines by varietal as opposed to appellation, which is a much simpler entry point for beginners to the world of wine. In addition to all the major wine varietals (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, etc.), the book also covers hybrid and Native American varieties, sparkling wines, and dessert and fortified wines. Chapters on beer and distilled spirits include information on making, purchasing, and evaluating beer and spirits. The appendices include map-filled sections on The Old World and The New World of wine, as well as a thorough examination of the TTB requirements for alcoholic beverage labels, and a complete glossary of terms. Author Robert Small is former Dean and Emeritus Professor of The Collins College of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where he still teaches courses on wine, spirits, and beer and on beverage marketing and food and beverage management, and is the Chairman of the Los Angeles International Wine competition, one of the largest and most prestigious wine competitions in the United States.

This title demystifies wine and the wine making process by approaching this often intimidating subject from a varietal and wine style perspective. Beer and spirits are also covered in this handbook. Each chapter includes food and wine, beer, and spirits pairings and how different food flavours and beverages interact.