A Hedonist in the Cellar: Adventures in Wine
by Jay McInerney
Published by Vintage Books
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Joyce Sparrow
Onophiles and grocery store wine shoppers will do well breaking out an atlas to follow the world-wide wine adventures of fiction writer and House and Garden wine columnist Jay McInerney as he travels from California to France and many European stops to learn more about the enjoyment of wine. Readers will want a note pad and pencil at their sides to jot down McInerney’s many wine suggestions.
These 52 essays show the knowledge McInerney has gained since his early years in Syracuse, New York where, as a graduate student in writing, he spent many hours as a clerk at the local cordial shop, which he refers to as a boozeteria, two miles from Syracuse University. In between frequent customers and a few armed robberies, McInerney spent many of his shifts reading the shop owner’s viticulture books. Later in his career as a novelist, he was given a chance to write the House and Garden wine column, which led to his opportunity to learn the details behind how some of the best wines and wineries came to be. His column continues today.
Foremost, McInerney is a storyteller who entertains readers with tales about his wine discoveries. Many of the essays take the confusion out of wine pairing. “Odd Couples” explains how Champagne goes well with most Japanese food. In “What to Drink with Chocolate” McInerney finds the best wine to pair with chocolate. “Fish Stories from Le Bernadin” proves eight out of ten sea creatures prefer white wine to red. McInerney captures the culture of the vineyards and relays the history of wines from the Catholic monks to present day viticulturists.
Much to his credit, McInerney downplays his growing expertise to reach the common wine drinker. He offers advice on how to impress the restaurant sommelier and even offers guidance on the correct pronunciation of the word: some-el-yay.
Overall, this collection provides a fun education for the average person who enjoys an occasional glass of really good wine.
Armchair Interviews says: Recommended for the novice and expert wine drinker alike.
Author’s Web site: http://www.HouseandGarden.com/winefood/blogs/jay