Published: June 27, 2008 12:32 pm            

BOOK REVIEW: Wine book gives taste of expert's favorites

We “Vayniacs” (fans of Gary Vaynerchuk) have been waiting for his book “101 Wines Guaranteed to Inspire Delight and Bring Thunder to Your World.”

I’ve been a member of the group of people all over the world watching “Wine Library TV” daily on the Internet, Gary Vaynerchuk giving us his take on whatever special wine pops up on his table. The Russian-born wine-lover is the director of operations at the Wine Library located in Springfield, N.J.

I found Gary one day on the Internet while looking for information about red wines. I was intrigued by his high energy and his wild, funny and dramatic descriptions of the wine. He talks about the price range and even the style of the bottles. Vaynerchuk loves wine and teaching about it. He doesn’t believe that more expensive is better, and I feel I’m always learning something.

He gives his tips for tasting wine, which is basically what he wants you to do. He offers descriptions that are simple to follow, and my favorite quote is his first rule of wine, “Drink wine with people you care about.”

I’ve shared my viewing of the show with friends who enjoy watching him daily. When shopping or selecting wines for a party, I never fail to point out something that he has tasted on his show. However, he wants you to taste the wines yourself, and wrote his book containing the 101 wines that he is most excited about.

Chapters such as “A River Runs Through It” discuss Sollner Danubio Gruner Veltliner 2006 ($13) made with the Gruner Veltliner grape from Austria. Some wines in the book are reasonably priced and some are a bigger cost. He tasted tens of thousands of wines for the book.

The back section has categories like “Best to Stick in the Cellar,” “Best to Blow your Economic Stimulus Check On” and “Most Affordable Whites.” He also has a list for “Best to Watch the Jets’ Opener.” Vaynerchuk is known for his love of the New York Jets and uses a Jets bucket to do his tastings on “Wine Library TV.”

if you’re looking for New York wines, you won’t find any in the book, but the wines are from all over the world. It’s an informational book and a great way for new wine drinkers and real wine fans to share. Each wine has its own description with a small section called, “Meet the Grape.”

Gary has appeared on television with Conan O’Brien, on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show and recently on “The Mad Money Show.” He’s fun to watch and learn from. I still think the best way to see him is in his office at the Wine Library in New Jersey, surrounded by favorite wines and wines he’s never tried before.

For more information on Vaynerchuk and a peek at his show, go to tv.winelibrary.com.

Lynnemarie Donner is author of the Towpath Partyline column and maintains a blog at lynnemarieseveryday.wordpress.com.



IF YOU READ

• WHAT: “101 Wines Guaranteed to Inspire Delight and Bring Thunder to Your World”

• BY: Gary Vaynerchuk

• DETAILS: Published by Rodale Press Inc., 230 pages

• GRADE: A

        

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