Originating in the controversial findings that revealed that the average wine drinker prefers the taste of cheaper wine over the more expensive bottles, this essential guide to affordable wine consumption demonstrates the happy truth -- it doesn't cost a fortune to fill a glass with a pleasing drink. Updated in a new edition, this buying manual reveals the widely available wines under $15 that beat out wines costing up to ten times as much. The full-page reviews of 175 new wines are based on recent blind tastings of the latest vintages and include witty, unpretentious discussions of each wine's flavours and aromas with a photo of the bottle for easy identification. Also included is an updated version of the "blind tasting manifesto", which explains how the power of price-based expectations dominates the usual experience of wine. The book also challenges the validity of glossy wine magazines' 100-point numerical ratings, and explains how to beat the placebo effect to unlock the true palate.
While eradicating common myths about wine and the insecurities surrounding it, and opening the path to new wine experiences, this guide makes an ideal resource for those who wish to be everyday connoisseurs while keeping a smart budget or who find the world of wine intimidating.