There has never been a better time to explore wine: more is being made, of higher quality, in greater variety and at more affordable prices than ever before.

The huge choice of bottles may seem daunting at first, but with this invaluable book you will soon pick up the basics and be on your way to enjoying the wonderful world of wine. The place to start is with the grapes themselves, because once you can identify the different varieties and the wines that they make, you will discover those that you like and those that you don’t. Jonathan Ray considers all the important grape varieties—from Cabernet Sauvignon to Zinfandel, from Chardonnay to Viognier—describing their characters, quirks and qualities. In addition, the secrets of deciphering wine labels, the best ways to store, serve, and taste wine—and how to tackle a restaurant wine list—are also revealed. With this book as your companion, you will be able to approach any bottle with total confidence.