It"s no surprise that every year, more Americans are discovering the pleasures of wine. Many of these new enthusiasts will be the first ones in their families to be wine-lovers and so they will have thousands of questions about wine. They will be in the position of recent immigrants in a strange and fabulous country. There are new words, strange customs and a bewildering variety of choices. The New Short Course in Wine is their guidebook. This is a book about the history, the science, the business and the pleasure of wine. It assumes that the reader is smart and curious. It is a first book for aspiring professionals in the hospitality business and it may be the right book for everybody else. It is not a book for Compete Idiots, but it might be the book for people who are tired of being treated like Dummies. The New Short Course in Wine assumes that along with learning about wine, readers want to have fun with it. The simple fact is that pleasure is good for you: it"s a vitamin for the soul. Refined pleasures are better still: they engage your brain and tend, on the whole, to become more delightful as the years go on. What is claimed for virtue is more truly said of pleasures: they are their own reward. Taste centered: Readers learn about the fun and excitement of wine and then learn about the history, typologies and winemaking. Author steers clear of lists (wine brands, distributors, drinks) and focuses on practical information to aid the learner in general wine knowledge. Conversation writing style! This book is intended for new connoisseurs, as well as "aged" aficionados of wine, who are seeking an understanding and deeper appreciation of the culture and context of the most civilized and important libation. Individuals seeking to understand the concept of creating this powerful beverage, as well as the symbolism behind its creation will find this book helpful.