Synopses & Reviews
Could cow horns, vortexes, and the words of a prophet named Rudolf Steiner hold the key to producing the most alluring wines in the world--and to saving the planet?
In Voodoo Vintners wine writer Katherine Cole reveals the mysteries of biodynamic winegrowing, tracing its practice rom Paleolithic times to the finest domaines in Burgundy today. At the epicenter of the American biodynamic revolution are the Oregon winemakers who believe that this spiritual style of farming results in the truest translations of terroir and the purest pinot noirs possible.
Cole introduces these "voodoo vintners," examining their motivations and rationalizations and explaining why the need to farm biodynamically courses through their blood.
Her engaging narrative answers the call of oenophiles everywhere for more information about this "beyond organic" style of farming.
Review
"Katherine Cole -- a very fine wine writer -- delves deep into the often misunderstood world of biodynamic viticulture and winemaking. Some write it off as a black magic, others scoff that it's nothing more than a marketing ploy, while others sing the praises of its ostensible arcane practices. Ms. Cole demystifies these mostly ill-informed perspectives and takes a practical, objective, and historical approach to what biodynamic viticulture really is. Most winemakers will tell you that 90 percent of what’s in the bottle happens in the vineyard. And most wine lovers really, while they may understand a little bit about vinification, understand very little about what happens in the vineyard the other eleven months of the year. An engrossing, entertainingly written, at times wryly funny, book on a subject that too little has been written about." Rex Pickett, author of Sideways and Vertical
Review
"I'm a general interest reader -- I certainly don't know much about viticulture. But I do now, because Katherine Cole is a splendid writer, with an appeal that's like Tracy Kidder -- the intriguing ins and outs of any subject, and very entertaining." Alan Furst, author of Spies of the Balkans
Synopsis
Wine amateurs think they canand#39;t sound savvy without memorizing an encyclopedia of facts about vintages, chandacirc;teaux, and appellations. But Katherine Cole offers a fresh, new perspective on mastering wine, using the simplest study toolsandmdash;like mnemonic devices, visual and aural associations, a dictionary organized by wine style, and role-playing vignettes to empower you when confronted by that intimidating sommelier!
Synopsis
Too many wine amateurs think they canand#39;t sound knowledgeable without cramming their brains full of details about vintages, chandacirc;teaux, and appellations. No more! In this engaging, lively book, Katherine Cole presents a fresh, engaging perspective on mastering wine without having to memorize an encyclopediaand#39;s worth of facts. She offers: a fun approach to finding wines similar to those you already like, mnemonic devices to help you memorize key facts, a user-friendly directory organized by wine style, a series of role-playing vignettes to empower you when you find yourself confronted by a sommelier, and tips on trying new wines without feeling foolish. By the time youand#39;re done, poring through a restaurant wine list will be enjoyableandmdash;not intimidating!
Synopsis
Whether youandrsquo;re in a restaurant or a store, deciding on a bottle of wine doesnandrsquo;t have to feel intimidating. Donandrsquo;t worry about appellations, chateaux, vintages, and other complicated vocab. Wine expert Katherine Cole has developed simple strategies for navigating the wine world. Her fun, friendly guide offers a Choose Your Own Wine tool that enables you to find the perfect bottle, mnemonic devices to help you remember details about growing regions, a series of empowering role-playing vignettes, insider tips on up-and-coming hot spots, and a translation chapter that breaks down the wall between cork dork and beginning enthusiast. With Coleandrsquo;s expert tips, choosing wines can be easy!
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About the Author
Katherine Cole has been a wine columnist for The Oregonian since 2002 and she is the wine columnist and blind-tasting coordinator for MIX, Portland’s Magazine of Food + Drink. She lives in Portland, Oregon. www.katherinecole.com