50 Ways to Love Wine More

“There is much to learn, both from and about wine. And, as with most subjects of interest, the more we explore and experience wine, the more we’re able to understand and enjoy it,” Jim Laughren explains in the introduction of 50 Ways to Love Wine More: Adventures in Wine Appreciation. “The idea isn’t to become oeno-wizards or puffed-up hey-look-at-me wine gurus; our intent is to smile and drink and share and absorb a bit more of what makes wine so appealing.”

Laughren seeks to make wine appreciation accessible and understandable. Readers will discover the multi-faceted world of wine and its “growing, making, drinking, collecting, sharing, pairing, marketing…chemistry, history, societal import, [and] global expansion.” The author encourages readers to “have a little fun, try something fresh and exciting, [and] soak up some new information.”

Readers enjoy a journey through 50 unique activities to help them grow in their appreciation and knowledge of wine.

Chapter 1, titled “Saber a Bottle of Champagne” opens with an amusing tale of cavalrymen slicing the top off a bottle of champagne with a sword (“sabering” champagne), then proceeds to detail how the adventurous can successfully saber their own bottle. Pictures assist readers in understanding the steps. The author ends with this: “Remember, although sabering is much easier than it looks or than most people realize, we’re after the thrill of victory, not the agony of a broken collectible. And once the applause has died down—and there will be applause—you are entitled, for all time, to the moniker, sabreur.”

Chapter 18 (“Learn the Basics: Viniculture”) explores the scientific process through which grapes become wine and how winemaking has changed through time. It’s jam-packed with fascinating information and is very educational. In later chapters, Laughren discusses the historic relationship between wine and chocolate and then experiments with wine-and-chocolate pairings. “Regardless of the possibilities, you and your sweetie are going to need a perfect wine match, or many, to go with all this absurdly scrumptious chocolate,” Laughren writes. “The best approach…is to settle in for a relaxed evening of tasting and testing your favorite four or six chocolate indulgences and an ecumenical mix of broad-shouldered reds, slightly sweet bubbles, and full-on dessert wines.”

In short, 50 Ways to Love Wine More: Adventures in Wine Appreciation is a delight to read. Whether you’re new to wine and want to learn how to enjoy the ancient beverage, or you already imbibe but want to increase your knowledge, Laughren’s suggestions will keep you busy. Easy to read and amusing, this book is the perfect gift for the wine-lover in your life.