This book includes broad content on wines from around the world, including Old World and New World wines, as well as beer, other fermented beverages such as mead and sake, and every type of spirit available.

Preface vii 1 Wine Basics: Fermentation, Grapes, and the Flavor of Wine 1 2 A Short History of Wine 13 3 Viticulture: The Art and Science of Growing Grapes 29 4 Viniculture: The Art and Science of Making Wine 45 5 Wine Grape Varieties 65 6 Food and Wine Pairing 83 7 Wine Tasting and Sensory Analysis 91 8 Applying Wine Analysis 111 9 The Wines of France 119 10 The Wines of Italy 169 11 The Wines of Spain 199 12 The Wines of Germany 219 13 The Wines of Portugal 235 14 The Wines of Austria, Hungary, Greece, and Other European Regions 249 15 The Old World and the New World of Wine 265 16 The Wines of the United States 271 17 The Wines of Australia 301 18 The Wines of New Zealand 315 19 The Wines of South Africa 323 20 The Wines of Chile 331 21 The Wines of Argentina 339 22 Emerging Wine Regions Around the World 345 23 Beer and the Brewing Process 353 24 Ales, Lagers, and Beer Styles 361 25 Saké, Mead, and Cider 371 26 Spirits and Distillation 379 27 Important Styles of Spirits 385 28 Beverage Service and Storage 405 29 Beverage Sales and Wine Lists 421 APPENDICES A Answer Key 431 B Pronunciation Guide 435 C Important Spirit Brands/Distillers 449 D Additional Resources 451 Index 453

A complete introduction to wine, beer, and spirits for aspiring sommeliers, bartenders, and wine lovers Whether you're studying for sommelier certification or you're a bartender who wants a better understanding of the beverages you serve, The Sommelier Prep Course offers the best up-to-date information on wine, beer, and all varieties of spirits. This heavily illustrated introductory guide covers New World and Old World wines, viniculture and viticulture, and fermented beverages such as sake, mead, and cider as well as beer and spirits. Students will find powerful study resources, including review questions, key terms, maps, sample wine labels, and a pronunciation guide with more than 1,200 terms. "At last, the wine enthusiast has access to a comprehensive work that approaches the wine and spirits culture in laymen's terms and delivers a wealth of detailed information in a format that is a joy to read. Michael Gibson's The Sommelier Prep Course is a must-have reference work for wine lovers and industry professionals alike. Historical and technical information, global diversity, and the often-asked questions are brilliantly addressed in this outstanding work."—Bob Foley, Winemaker and owner, Robert Foley Vineyards, Napa Valley, CA "Any candidate who is in the process of studying for their introductory level certificate will find Mike Gibson's The Sommelier Prep Course very helpful. Mike has taught candidates how to pass this introductory level course for years, and this experience has allowed him to distill everything someone needs to pass this exam."—Eddie Osterland, America's first Master Sommelier