Wine Politics - by Tyler Colman (Paperback)

About the Book

"Kudos to Tyler Colman for this illuminating look at wine's fascinating backstory. This excellent overview of how important politics is to the taste of the wine in your glass is a new kind of wine book, essential for every wine lover's bookshelf."--Elin McCoy, author of "The Emperor of Wine: The Rise of Robert M. Parker, Jr. and the Reign of American Taste"
"In shrewdly examining how politics influences the production, distribution, and consumption of wine on both sides of the Atlantic, Tyler Colman has written a much-needed and long-overdue book. "Wine Politics" won't necessarily make you a better taster, but it will unquestionably make you a more enlightened drinker."--Mike Steinberger, wine columnist for "Slate" magazine

Book Synopsis

After reading this intriguing book, a glass of wine will be more than hints of blackberries or truffles on the palate. Written by the author of the popular, award-winning website DrVino.com, Wine Politics exposes a little-known but extremely influential aspect of the wine business--the politics behind it. Tyler Colman systematically explains how politics affects what we can buy, how much it costs, how it tastes, what appears on labels, and more. He offers an insightful comparative view of wine-making in Napa and Bordeaux, tracing the different paths American and French wines take as they travel from vineyard to dining room table. Colman also explores globalization in the wine business and illuminates the role of behind-the-scenes players such as governments, distributors, and prominent critics who wield enormous clout. Throughout, Wine Politics reveals just how deeply politics matters-- right down to the taste of the wine in your glass tonight.

From the Back Cover

"Kudos to Tyler Colman for this illuminating look at wine's fascinating backstory. This excellent overview of how important politics is to the taste of the wine in your glass is a new kind of wine book, essential for every wine lover's bookshelf."--Elin McCoy, author of The Emperor of Wine: The Rise of Robert M. Parker, Jr. and the Reign of American Taste

"In shrewdly examining how politics influences the production, distribution, and consumption of wine on both sides of the Atlantic, Tyler Colman has written a much-needed and long-overdue book. Wine Politics won't necessarily make you a better taster, but it will unquestionably make you a more enlightened drinker."--Mike Steinberger, wine columnist for Slate magazine

Review Quotes

'A delight to read with its clear prose and fluid style."-- "Good Wine Under $20" (10/28/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"A fascinating and fast-paced ride. . . . His accomplishment is remarkable."-- "Gastronomica: Journal Of Food & Culture" (10/1/2009 12:00:00 AM)

"Exposes a little-known but influential aspect of the wine business: the politics behind it."-- "Times Higher Ed Sup (Thes)" (7/17/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"I'm not aware of any other single volume that pulls so many strands of research and analysis together in such a readable package.'-- "Vinography" (4/6/2009 12:00:00 AM)

"It is the kind of book a wine economist would want to read and gift as a gift to friends. "-- "Journal Of Wine Economics" (1/27/2009 12:00:00 AM)

Serious and provocative-- "Chicago Tribune" (12/10/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"An enlightening volume on a complex topic."-- "Publishers Weekly" (7/14/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"Contain(s) so much history, data and anecdotes in a highly readable 144 pages."--John Mariani "Bloomberg News" (7/28/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"Succinct and up-to-date. . . . Recommended."--Philip Whalen, Coastal Carolina University "Jrnl Of World History" (9/1/2012 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Tyler Colman teaches wine classes at New York University and the University of Chicago. He contributed to the third edition of The Oxford Companion to Wine and his articles have appeared in Food & Wine and Wine & Spirits.