The second book selected for our wine book club was Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass by Natalie MacLean. She wrote this book as a series of essays on various topics from the mystique and mysteries surrounding Champagne to examining the influence of wine critics and the power of the pen. MacLean captures readers with her personal style of writing and obvious obsession with wine. She puts readers at ease, explaining she’s had many of the same thoughts, questions and reactions as the occasional wine drinker.

 

I’m just beginning and made it through the first four chapters or essays. I’ve found the fourth chapter, Purple Prose with a Bite, very intriguing. Purple Prose with a Bite examines the public response to two famous wine writers and critics. I’ve recently been considering the effects of wine ratings and reviews on my personal buying habits. Jonathan and I attend regular wine tastings, and often purchase wine we enjoyed at a tasting. We’re more daring and will try less expensive bottles without a taste or review. However, when it comes to putting down serious money for a bottle of wine I want to know it will be worth it. For me, this is when I refer to wine ratings and reviews.

 

While reading a critics review or score of a wine is helpful, it’s important to remember wine continually changes and evolves. Each individual smells and tastes something different. It’s part of wine’s beauty and complexity.