Synopses & Reviews
Americans learned how to make wine successfully about two hundred years ago, after failing for more than two hundred years. Thomas Pinney takes an engaging approach to the history of American wine by telling its story through the lives of 13 people who played significant roles in building an industry that now extends to every state. While some namesand#151;such as Mondavi and Galloand#151;will be familiar, others are less well known. These include the wealthy Nicholas Longworth, who produced the first popular American wine; the German immigrant George Husmann, who championed the native Norton grape in Missouri and supplied rootstock to save French vineyards from phylloxera; Frank Schoonmaker, who championed the varietal concept over wines with misleading names; and Maynard Amerine, who helped make UC Davis a world-class winemaking school.
Review
and#8220;[Makers of American Wine] is a must-read for anyone seriously interested in wine. . . . Well written and easy to read.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;Pinney is a master researcher deeply immersed in the minutiae of the primary-source record, and his prose is lively but, more important, clear-eyed. He has written a book that tracks the tastes of the nation through the people who chased and changed them.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;[Pinney] has succeeded in providing an engaging and well-written account of the very human history of wine in America.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;Thomas Pinneyand#8217;s engaging style, coupled with his meticulous research, make this a volume to savor and enjoy.and#8221;
Review
“Thomas Pinneys engaging style, coupled with his meticulous research, make this a volume to savor and enjoy.” Robert C. Fuller Bradley University - Jrnl Of American History
Review
"Highly recomended."
Review
"This book is a major contribution to our understanding of wine history."
Review
"An informative and enjoyable read."
Synopsis
Praise for Thomas Pinney's
A History of Wine in Americaand#147;Exhaustively researchedand#133;.invaluable to serious scholars of the grape. Fascinating reading.and#8221; and#151;San Francisco Chronicle
and#147;Revealing a sharp eye for detail and a dry, low-key wit, Pinney writes in an engaging style and with remarkable clarity.and#8221; and#151;Wine Spectator
and#147;Definitiveand#133;.an important work of historical literature.and#8221; and#151;Wine and Spirits
and#147;An indispensable view ofand#133;a remarkable time.and#8221; and#151;Decanter
About the Author
Thomas Pinney is Professor of English, Emeritus, at Pomona College. He is the author or editor of several books including the two-volume A History of Wine in America (UC Press). The second volume of this definitive wine history won the 2006 International Association of Culinary Professionals Award for best book on wine, beer, or spirits.
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. John James Dufour, or the Uses of Failure: A Man with a Mission
2. Nicholas Longworth: The Necessary Entrepreneur
3. George Husmann: A Pure and Lofty Faith
4. Charles Kohler: Putting California Wines on the Map
5. Andrea Sbarboro: The Italians Are Coming
6. Percy T. Morgan and the CWA: Wine as Big Business
7. Paul Garrett: American Wine for Americans
8. Ernest and Julio Gallo: Creating New Markets
9. Frank Schoonmaker: A Master Teacher
10. Maynard Amerine: Applied Science
11. Konstantin Frank: Zealot at Work
12. Robert Mondavi: Aiming for the Top
13. Cathy Corison: Women Become Winemakers
Notes
Sources and Works Cited
Index