The World Atlas of Wine by Hugh Johnson The World Atlas of Wine, Fourth Edition, is the most brilliant contribution to the enjoyment of wine in modern times. In this new, completely revised and updated Atlas, Hugh Johnson has succeeded with the impossible: He has made the best wine book in the world even better! The Atlas includes: A detailed introduction to how wine is made and the role of the wine maker Invaluable tips on choosing, storing, and serving wines In-depth essays and stunning photographs and maps detailing every significant wine-producing country and region of the world - France, Germany, Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and many others More than 185 maps, 84 photographs, 116 sets of wine labels, 1,400 illustrations, and 24 charts - all in full color. Qty: @ $50.95

Sniff Swirl and Slurp by Max Allen Sniff Swirl Slurp is about drinking wine. It explores how countries, regions, grapes, and winemaking processes all affect the taste of wine. At the heart of the book are twelve fun and easy-to-follow tastings introducing every type of wine style, what it tastes like, and why it tastes the way it does; from big reds to cool whites, or from quaffing wines to getting sparkly. In each tasting Max Allen gives examples of the best wines to try and gives a multitude of hints and tips on how to get the most enjoyment out of drinking the wines. Sniff Swirl Slurp ensures that drinking wine is an everyday pleasure, and is not relegated to special occasions. It is for every wine lover who wants to get maximum satisfaction out of every glass of wine they drink. Qty: @ $19.95

Wine Uncorked by Fiona Beckett A groundbreaking new introductory guide to buying and enjoying wine. Wine Uncorked offers a revolutionary color-coded flavor wheel as a visual tool to illustrate the key flavors of each wine featured throughout this remarkable book. The detailed narrative examines the many roles wine can play in your life to complement moods and occasions. Lush photography and a series of practical tastings of the wines from six of the most characteristic grape varieties--Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Syrah/Shiraz. A section of the book is devoted to a glamorous tour of the world's major wine producing regions. There are also examples of how to read the labels and terminology of many wines to ensure you know exactly what you are buying for maximum enjoyment. For connoisseurs and those whose just want to make drinking wine a pleasurable experience, wine lovers everywhere will find this book to be a valuable resource. Qty: @ $24.50

A Perfect Glass of Wine by Brian St. Pierre Many people are intimidated by wine. In fact, there's nothing more complicated about it than trying the different kinds and seeing what you like. The ultimate test for any wine is purely subjective: Do you like the taste? In this practical and elegant guide to wine, you'll find the key to answering that question with confidence. A Perfect Glass of Wine reveals how truly easy it is to relax and savor the fruit of the vine. All the wines in the world come from just a few varieties of grape, and the grape determines the wine's flavor. Once these categories of flavor are understood, all the rest flows as easily as wine into the glass - how to match wine with food, how to store and serve it, which are the right occasions for a certain type of wine, and even how much of a fuss to make over a bottle and how much to spend on it. Acclaimed wine writer Brian St. Pierre's down-to-earth, humorous approach to the art of drinking wine, full of suggestions and advice - all combined with spectacular photographs and charming illustrations - make this wonderful guide a gift for anyone who wants to learn to understand, appreciate, and, above all, fully enjoy a perfect glass of wine Qty: @ $24.95

The Perfect Match by Brian St. Pierre The best-selling Perfect Glass of Wine introduced budding aficionados to the pleasures of the vine. Now The Perfect Match takes readers to the next level: exploring the perfect partnership of wine and food. The Perfect Match is both a guide to the principles of pairing wine with food and a glorious collection of mouthwatering recipes. Author Brian St. Pierre takes the intimidation out and puts the accessibility in, and lists grapes by varietal with descriptions of their principal flavors, virtues as a companion with meals, and the foods they go best with. This artfully photographed volume offers over 70 delicious recipes, many based on the classics of the great wine-producing regions of Europe, as well as contemporary cuisine from the New World. Additional topics include flavors that are difficult to match, how special occasions influence wine choices, and the big cheese question: red, white, dry, or sweet? With two handy indexes, one by wine and one by major ingredient, finding the perfect match has never been easier. Qty: @ $24.95

The Wine Lover’s Cookbook by Sid Goldstein The Wine Lover's Cookbook demystifies the art of pairing wines with food and offers 100 mouthwatering recipes designed to bring out the best in any bottle. Whether you're a dedicated oenophile or a beginning wine enthusiast, author Sid Goldstein will lead you on a fascinating trip through the flavor profiles of the most popular varieties and tantalize you with great dishes to accompany them—grilled sea bass with mango— roasted red pepper relish; duck breasts with honey, ginger, and lavender; chicken cacciatore with Kalamata olives and fennel; and many more. You'll find tips for successful food and wine pairing and discover why the classic matches work. From Syrah to Sangiovese, Pinot Noir to Pinot Grigio, The Wine Lover's Cookbook is an indispensable guide to increasing your enjoyment of both food and wine. Qty: @ $22.95

The Cheese Course by Janet Fletcher Nothing complements a good meal with friends like a rustic oak table laden with an exquisite selection of fine cheeses: a grape leaf-lined platter of ricotta with honey, red pears, and roasted chestnuts, or a decorative Spanish tile topped with sheep's milk cheeses, toasted almonds, and oven-dried tomatoes, or a simple Italian salad of crostini dripping with melted fontina and white truffle oil. The elegant tradition of the after-dinner cheese course is rapidly gaining popularity as a part of home entertaining. Written by best-selling author and award-winning food writer Janet Fletcher, The Cheese Course decribes the wonderful array of artisanal cheeses now available, offering suggestions for presentations as well as wine pairings and fruit and nut accompaniments. The Cheese Course is rounded out with 50 sweet and savory recipes for salads, breads, and desserts that match deliciously with cheese. Qty: @ $19.95

Van Gogh's Table at the Auberge Ravoux: Recipes From the Artist's Last Home and Paintings of Café Life This unique book shines a light on the Auberge Ravoux, the café and inn where Van Gogh spent his final months. This fascinating book provides a history of the auberge, complete with archival photographs, and introduces readers to Van Gogh's work through beautiful reproductions of his café paintings. Recipes from the auberge recreate the rich, vibrant atmosphere that led Van Gogh to paint some of his greatest works. Qty: @ $19.95

Maverick’s: The Story of Big-Wave Surfing by Matt Warshaw "A voodoo wave." "The Everest of the ocean." What surfer in his right mind would choose to surf Maverick's with its 50-degree murky water, 60-foot faces, punishing rock bottom, and shifting Central California currents over riding the warm, blue, big waves of Hawaii? But Maverick's presents a surfing challenge like no other. Each winter, starting in October, an elite corps from around the world journey to Maverick's to test themselves on its cold, forbidding waves-because challenge, above all else, motivates the big-wave surfer. With heart-stopping photography and an exceptional, driving text, Maverick's tracks the five most dangerous days in the break's history, including its first casualty: big-wave celebrity Mark Foo, who died on the morning of his very first visit. Surf journalist Matt Warshaw weaves into this vivid record the complete and unconventional history of big-wave surfing, from its ancient Hawaiian origins through to the modern drama of tow-in surfers. Like Into Thin Air, Maverick's promises to transcend its core audience, appealing to the huge armchair market that is enthralled by the sporting life lived at the extreme of danger. Qty: @ $29.95