The Kosher Grapevine: Exploring the World of Fine Wine - Hardcover

Langer, Irving

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9652295736 ISBN 13: 9789652295736

Publisher: Gefen Publishing House, 2012

Synopsis

Kosher wines have been winning prestigious international competitions and creating a buzz among wine connoisseurs, yet most kosher consumers still opt for "traditional" sweet stuff. Irving Langer used to be one of those people. A man with a zest for living life to the fullest, Irving embarked on an exploration of the subtleties of fine wine - and now he's ready to share his knowledge with you. With wit as dry as his favorite Merlot, Irving guides you on a fascinating, often whimsical journey, teaching you all you need to know: the differences between red, white, and sparkling wines; the ten steps of wine tasting; how to navigate a restaurant wine menu. He takes the mystery out of pairing wine with food, and provides solid lists of resources including wineries, critics, and helpful websites. Taking it to the next level, Irving probes the highly significant role of this spiritually charged drink in Jewish culture and history. Bursting with facts, folklore, and humor, The Kosher Grapevine will transform you from ho-hum Kiddush sipper to savvy wine aficionado.

About this title

Review

"The question for many is precisely how to identify the wines that give the most satisfaction. The best way is to taste wines. After you read this book, you will know how to do this, and you will discover the wonderful new adventure of wine tasting... I m sure you will find Irving Langer s book informative and enjoyable --Daniel Rogov, z"l, wine critic; author of Rogov s Guide to Kosher Wines and Rogov s Guide to Israeli Wines. Amusing as it is to read a book about wine from a publisher named Gefen, The Kosher Grapevine: Exploring the World of Wine warrants modest attention. Many kosher wine drinkers lack what wine connoisseurs know a knowledge of the history of grapes, how they re grown, and the best seasons for buying them. It s not enough to stick with the same old stuff you ve always enjoyed or simply to buy what someone recommends. Knowledge enables wine drinkers to buy what they desire all on their own. An overview to the kosher wine-making industry s information is presented by author and wine connoisseur Daniel Rogov, in The Kosher Grapevine s Introduction. The Kosher Grapevine s author Irving Langer augments the education with his own look at wine-making as well as the nature of the storage barrels used to age wines for taste perfection. Langer also teaches the surprisingly little-known but only correct technique for holding a glass of wine. He didn t expound, though, on the meaning of a given wine bottle s appearance. The color, neck, shoulders and shape of the bottle indicate the nature of a particular wine, cluing purchasers in to its sensory potentials. The rest of the book holds historic tales of Jewish facts, figures and history, a few jokes and lovely photographs, plus advice on how to pair wines with specific foods. Non-Jewish and new-to-observant Judaism adherents can benefit from the Hebrew/English glossary that can clue readers in to tenets of Jewish life and law. Gedalya Persky, a co owner of Israel s HaMartaf shop that sells wines, whiskies and beers, comments that the section on how to taste wines is well done. Facts about the Gemara and minhagim (Jewish customs) round out the book. It s nice start for beginners. Despite its lack of a more comprehensive survey of kosher wines, The Kosher Grapevine: Exploring the World of Wine can enhance a reader s growing appreciation for wine-making s technicalities. Add this hardcover coffee table sized book to your reading list and see what it does for your wine-drinking experience. --NY s Jewish Press, Yocheved Golani

About the Author

Irving Langer is the CEO of E & M Associates, a real estate company he founded in 1970. He and his wife Miriam have three children and several, but not enough, grandchildren. Irving is active in numerous not-for-profit organizations and enjoys travel, writing poetry, fine dining, spending time with his family and, of course, wine tasting.

About this edition

• Publisher: Gefen Publishing House
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 9652295736
• ISBN 13: 9789652295736
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 170