Booklovers' Guide To Wine

Patrick Alexander originally developed the Wine Appreciation program when he worked at the University of Miami as Director of the Office of Professional Advancement. In the summer of 2011, after Patrick had left UM in order to focus on writing, Mitchell Kaplan suggested he offer his program at Books & Books during the quiet summer months. “It seems a pity to waste all that research” Mitchell said “and you never know; our book customers might enjoy learning about wine.” Four years, nineteen sold-out classes, and three-hundred satisfied students later, Patrick Alexander's Wine Appreciation Program has become one of the highlights of Books & Books event programming.Previously Director of the Wine Appreciation program at the University of Miami and a judge for the Florida International Wine Challenge, Patrick Alexander has been teaching these wildly popular and critically acclaimed classes at Books & Books for over four years. Patrick is also a published author and his writings include "Marcel Proust’s Search for Lost Time" and "The Nigerian Letter." Mitchell is a co-founder of Miami Book Fair International and serves as the Chairperson of its Board of Directors. He also serves on the steering committee of the Florida Center for the Literary Arts, Miami-Dade College's literary center. Mitchell recently served a two-year term as President of the American Booksellers Association (ABA) and continues an active involvement with the organization. He also serves on the Board of ABFFE, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression.

“Listen up, lovers of cheap wine (aka everybody who reads this column): Wine expert Patrick Alexander says we’re drinking the right thing. …. Alexander knows a lot about wine, and he enjoys pairing wines with some of his favorite writers (Shakespeare with sherry, J.R.R. Tolkien with Albariño, Jane Austen with Chardonnay)." —Connie Ogle: Book editor and wine columnist for the Miami Herald“Amazingly comprehensive. It was a good read for me as a wine enthusiast but for a novice it would be a heck of a resource. I really like the structure of the chapters. .... Overall, a solid wine book and the compilation of information must have taken a heck of a long time to put together. The history and context is awesome. The details on varieties and wine regions is amazing.” —Chris O’Shea: Editor/ Writer. The Unfussy Wine Enthusiasts"If anyone defined the phrase Renaissance Man, Patrick is just that person. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone with such a rich intellect, having such diverse interests, and able to pair his love of history, geography, economics, and alcohol with so much humor. I am proud that my bookstore inspired this book, and I am happy that my friendship made it possible." —MItchell Kaplan, owner Books & Books"This is the book I wish I had years ago. Who knew that soil and climate has so much to do with how a glass of wine ends up tasting? Patrick Alexander knows all that and more in the spectacular book. I love learning about writers and their favorite vintages, simply fascinating!" —Nina Lesowitz, author of The Party Girl Cookbook"What a delightful and singular book—the pairings of wine and books is every oenophile's dream. Now I know exactly what to imbibe when rereading Tolkien." —Susannah Seton, author of Simple Pleasures"Patrick Alexander opens the door to his world of wine for the reader, and lets his passion shine through. I know pairing wine with books is a lifestyle choice that Patrick generously loves to share." —Alex Susser, author of New World Cuisine"Every bit as edifying and entertaining is Patrick Alexander’s Booklovers’ Guide to Wine (Mango, 394 pages, $19.95), which takes pairing to a new level: matching great reading with tasty wines. This book would be a highly recommendable primer on wine without the literary references as Alexander guides us through regions and grapes, plus how to truly appreciate this nectar. But the hefty chapter matching grapes with authors is pure delight: albariño and J.R.R. Tolkien, chardonnay and Jane Austen, and his personal favorite, gewürztraminer and Marcel Proust. Amazingly, every explanation of the matchups makes so much sense that it’s impossible to imagine another author for that wine, or vice versa." —Minneapolis Star Tribune"Patrick’s conversational writing style and wit makes readers feel as if they are attending his class. The Booklovers’ Guide to Wine covers vast amounts of information without ever becoming dry in delivery. I found myself making quick progress through the 350-plus pages, continuously engaged along the way. Isn’t that what we all want from a good book?" —Texas Wine Lover"Patrick Alexander, author of The Booklovers’ Guide to Wine and host of Books & Books’ wine appreciation course, says which glass you use doesn’t make much difference. The important thing is that the bowl should narrow at the top to focus and concentrate the aromas,” he says. “Personally I like big glasses with stems. . . . Also glass should be plain and clear, not colored or engraved.” —Miami Herald“Guides to the wide world of wine are many but this is the first book on the market to pair books with wine by an author who is a preeminent expert on both.” —Thriftbooks.com“Patrick Alexander seems to be the perfect guide for booklovers who want to enjoy wine even more through story-telling…… I have read dozens of wine guides over the years and I can’t think of one that is so much fun. Simply irresistible!. …….. Alexander’s literary references are the second distinctive factor. His abundant quotes from famous authors are clever and really made me think. And the chapter on wine grape varieties—where grapes are compared to famous authors—is both fun and informative.” —Mike Veseth, editor of the Wine Economist and author of many wine books, including Wine Wars.“From the preface through to the epilogue readers will learn everything from why the author has a dislike for wine critic Robert Parker that is completely logical yet surprising, basics on how to taste wine, read labels, naming different varietals, how to make wine, why sweet wines are popular, the connection between religion and wine, the difference between an American’s understanding of wine and that of a European’s in relation to terroir, what the 100 year war did to the wine industry, why the opinions on wine are so subjective and finally, why Alexander is “never happier than with a glass of wine in one hand and a good book in the other.” —Eve Bushman: Wine writer and consultant. Member of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), and the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), author of Wine Etiquette for Everyone