The Emperor of Wine - by Elin McCoy (Paperback)

From the Back Cover

This is the story of how an American lawyer raised on Coca-Cola caused a revolution in the way wines around the globe are made, sold, and talked about.

The world's most influential wine critic, Robert M. Parker, Jr., has dominated the international wine community for the last quarter century, embodying the triumph of American taste. Using Parker's story as a springboard, author Elin McCoy offers an authoritative and unparalleled insider's view of the eccentric personalities, bitter feuds, controversies, and secrets of the wine world. She explains how reputations are made and how and why critics agree and disagree, and she tracks the startling ways wines are judged, promoted, made, and sold -- while painting a fascinating portrait of a modern-day cultural colossus who revolutionized the way the world thinks about wine.

Review Quotes

"A riveting morality tale for our time." - Gerald Asher
"The Emperor of Wine is a good, brisk read that people who like to think and talk about wine will enjoy. . . . An informative, fair and even entertaining book: 91 points." - Wall Street Journal
"A lively history" - New York Times Book Review
Ms. McCoy's book chronicles the rise of Robert M. Parker Jr. to the pinnacle of wine power as probably the world's most influential wine critic...It is a gripping tale and a fascinating portrait - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"...an extraordinay exploration of the Parker phenomenon...impeccably researched..." - Decanter Magazine
"Emperor of Wine is a vibrant absorbing portrait..." - USA Today
"Scupulous and balanced...no wine book will receive more attention." - New York Times
"A fascinating analysis of Parker's substantial influence..." - BusinessWeek
"Ms. McCoy does justice to the paradoxical tale of this voice of the people who became the most powerful man in wine." - New York Times
"...highly anticipated...The thoroughness of McCoy's reporting is impressive...prodigious." - Los Angeles Times
"Robert M. Parker Jr.'s story is provocative, contentious and certain to rouse quiet consideration next time you sip a glass of wine." - Mario Batali