Attractively produced and beautifully illustrated, this handy-sized guide is a useful introduction to the varied wines. Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of grape juice. The natural chemical balance of grapes is such that they can ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes or other nutrients. In essence, this book addresses the question of how to go about making a 'real wine'. This provides a thread of continuity that ties together each of the chapters. These embrace some of the most contentious yet vital issues surrounding wine today, including site selection, planting the vines, organic and biodynamic viticulture, choice or grape variety, wine making techniques, what constitutes a wine fault, and making money. Reading this book is a great pleasure, partly because it is beautifully illustrated and laid out, but also because it is well written and highly informative.