Review Week: Red, White, and Drunk All Over by Natalie MacLean
Red, White, and Drunk All Over is a print version of wine writer Natalie MacLean’s jaunt through the wine world. Written as if the reader is riding shotgun through MacLean’s own experiences, the book cruises through the famous places, characters, and occupations in the wine without missing a beat.
The appeal of this book is that much of it is shared while MacLean is actually doing that which she is writing about. The book leads off under the gray skies of Burgundy as she visits the uber-producer Domaine de La Romanée-Conti. Instead of a chapter on sommeliers, there’s a chapter on her being a sommelier for a day (she has since been accredited). We wander through the female-dominated houses of Champagne and then crosses the world to hang out with Randall Graham, founder of Bonny Doon Vineyards. For every opening bet of posh and class exhibited by Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Bonny Doon raises with fun and eclectic style. And, yes, Parker sneaks in there too for a chapter (my favorite, actually).
An entertaining, breezy read that has a lot of substance, MacLean’s easy to handle rose-on-the-patio style will appeal to pretty much everyone from seasoned wine jerk to up-and-coming enthusiasts.
August 5th, 2008 at 5:29 am
First of all I really enjoy your blog. Have you read “The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce: A Novel in Four Vintages” by Paul Torday? I think you (and anyone else reading this blog) would enjoy it. There’s a mouthwatering description of the protagonist savoring a bottle (or almost 2) of a 1982 Pétrus.
August 5th, 2008 at 6:06 am
No, haven’t heard of it. Thanks for the tip. I’ll check it out. Glad you enjoy the blog!
September 17th, 2008 at 12:56 am
[...] Review Week: Red, White, and Drunk All Over by Natalie MacLeanWe wander through the female-dominated houses of Champagne and then crosses the world to hang out with Randall Graham, founder of Bonny Doon Vineyards. For every opening bet of posh and class exhibited by Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, … [...]