Bacchus and Me: Adventures in the Wine Cellar

I love this book. I read it years ago and found it to be a fun way to learn more about wine. Some of the humorous ways he compares wines puts things into context better than more academically written books. I bought this copy for my sister as she's learning more about wine for work and she seems to enjoy it despite not being as big of a wine enthusiast as myself.

Great entertaining read.

Fun read

A great writer!

I must confess that I picked this book up only because I recognized the author’s name and knew that I was long overdue to read something of Jay McInerney’s. He’s a local boy – and one who enjoys a possibly worldwide reputation thanks to the likes of BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY. I read a few pages and decided I’d give it a go. Jay’s style, while not singular, is quite amusing. He writes like a very gifted kid, though also like one who’s not overwhelmed with his own genius (no names, please). Since I pay my rent and my kids’ tuition with the money I make from the business Jay writes about in these pages, I suppose I know a little about the business. I also spent a decade of my “professional student” career in Europe – specifically, in Switzerland; Austria; Italy: (then) West Germany; the (then) Soviet Union; and Spain – and was able to sample a variety of Old World wines. Just short of a year ago, I read a little thing titled WINE (ALL-IN-ONE) FOR DUMMIES – yes, all 600+ pages of it. And, given my employment, I probably now read a little something about wine every day. All of that said, I can easily recommend this book, whether to the neophyte or to the experienced connoisseur, as a worthwhile read. The former will find it educational; the latter will find it, at the very least, entertaining. McInerney touches upon the history, geography and topology of the wine-making and –drinking business just enough to render the book educational – and does so in a kind of wine-spritzer style to render the subject entertaining. If you have to start anywhere in this continually evolving world of wine, this is as good a place as I can imagine to get your feet wet and your palate titillated. If I have any criticism at all (and this frankly doesn’t count as a valid criticism, given the subject-matter and its requirements), it’s that the book seems just a tad dated. But in some sense at least, books about wine – just like books about gardening or cooking – never age out. And although this book may well be a mere collection of essays written over months or years for the likes of House & Garden, Jay McInerney’s prose doesn’t age out either. Unlike many of the wines he describes, he’s good to go – right now.RRB10/30/14Brooklyn, NY

After reading the criticisms detailed above in the official review, I have to say that I recognize some of those flaws (especially the repititions), but I don't think they take away from the fun quality of this book. At times, I felt kind of a Dave Barry meets Robert Parker quality of writing. Here's an example regarding correct pairings of reds/whites with food: "If someone else is buying Chateau Petrus or Chateau d'Yquem, by all means drink as much of it as you can, no matter what hell you're eating. Give the food to the dog."For a good overview of just about every major grape and region, this book may be more helpful to a beginner than a more detailed Parker book which might give more than you need to know. I appreciate McInenery's taste for good wine and his lighthearted columns on his experiences. Every once in a while I'd have a jealousy attack (not all of us can quaff a Petrus or Yquem on a weekly basis), but at least I can afford to read about it. This is a great introduction to wine tasting with none of the technical stuff that should get in the way. I'll conclude with another one of my favorites "rants," this one on Robert Parker, "The self-proclaimed American Wine Advocate, who at the start of his career couldn't even speak the language, was recently awarded the Legion d'Honneur for telling the Frogs that a lot of their venerable Bordeaux and Burgundy isn't as great as it should be and some of it positively sucks." Nice to keep a sense of humor while discussing these wine topics.

Reading over fellow Amazon book critics, the observation came up that Jay McInerney is far too involved in this book for his own good. I suggest readers take it for what it is. This guy, like Brett Easton Ellis has made his cool cash depicting the decadent world of America in the 1980s and early 90s.So what does a man do with his cool cash and his passion for wine? He spends it, he hob-nobs with the rich and famous. This book has its fun and comical points ("Anyone who starts analyzing the taste of a rose in public should be thrown in the pool immediately" or "...the more expensive California Chardonnay tended to resemble the women of Playboy and Beverly Hills") and he enjoys meeting wine makers, describing Angelo Gaja's driving as "Jackie Steward on crystal Meth" - which made me laugh.The book is at best an irreverent, almost comedian-like take on wine. It is serious only for a moment. He has a few pointers but again, unless you have thousands in your bank account, you most likely won't follow his advice. He isn't a sommelier or someone in the industry. He's honest, he explains where he's coming form. He's a writer that has a passion for wine. And like most American wine writers, he misuses the word 'varietal' instead of using 'variety' ('varietal' is an adjective, describing a type of wine, not the grape variety itself - how come the British always get it right?). When it comes to tasting notes, he is more pop culture which after a hundred pages, began to tire.But look at the title 'Bacchus and Me'. That says it all. You can hate this book, find it pompous and elitist (which it can be) or you can take it for what it is - Jay McInerney and wine. How else would he write? What else would he write about? Himself, his money, his wine. There is no real depth here. It's a beach read at best but if you can pick up a pointer and giggle along the way, it's not that bad.

veloce e di qualità

This book is the most fun I've experienced, doing something that sounds instinctively wrong... reading about wine!McInerney is well-versed in the lore and diversity of the wine world and converts his knowledge and experience into an informative, entertaining and engrossing read.I should warn you the content is laden with McInerney's quirky sense of humor - it's not for everyone. For those who don't like smart, intelligent use of humor as metaphor, don't buy this book.For those who can handle wine with a twisted sense of humor, no matter how much you know or don't know about wine you will find value in this book. It is perfect for reading on a trans-atlantic flight (perhaps to France) or on a rainy afternoon at your place at the beach. In fact, you will read this book again and again, it's that magnetic.