Since its first publication in 1989, Matt Kramer’s extraordinarily accessible guide to wine has become a classic. Where others talk jargon about centrifuges, metal tanks, and acidity levels, Kramer talks about wine itself. The effect can be an enriching encounter that goes far beyond knowing how to learn a label or make an impression a waiter.

The written text explains everything an oenophile needs to know, like the creation and naming of wines, wine cellars, presentation and glassware, pairing wine with food, and much more. Kramer reminds us that wine is an appearance of the earth that reveals the site and conditions under which it is cultivated. He explores connoisseurship through the practical products of “thinking wine” and “drinking wines,” making for the most exciting and engrossing trip through one of life’s most dependable pleasures.